Driving down from California to Panama and doing some detours on the way, our odometer shows about 6800 miles (11.000 km). So it is really time to change the rear tires now.

We had found some decent tires in San Jose, Costa Rica, where lots of motorcycle parts where available. We didn't feel the urgency to buy tires there as the tires would easily last another 1000 km and we were told that in Panama prices may be much lower. This was a mistake.

We were looking for a 120/90-R17 Dual Sport (e.g. Birdgestoen Traiwing 40 or Pirelli MT60) or a more dirt oriented tire (e.g. Pirelli MT21).

In San Jose there where several shops selling the Pirelli MT21 for US$55 and the MT60 for US$65. Very good prices for these high quality products. Getting 17 inch tires was generally not a problem.

In Panama, Pirelli is quite scarce and expensive (MT60 for US$95). In general, the dealers carry the taiwanese brand 'Duro'. To find 17-inch tires was difficut, 18-inch was much more common.

So my recommendation is to buy in San Jose, if possible.

Here some directions to help finding the right tires or spare parts for your bike:

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica:
1.Indianapolis is a hardware store and carrying lots of different styles and brands of motorcycle tires (e.g. Pirelli). It is located about 2 km west of the city towards Alajuela. Take the first big exit off the highway after leaving the city. Take the first right and it will be on the right hand side after about 300m.
2.One street south of Paseo Colon at the west end of town (at the height of 'Wild-Rider' are two small motorcycle accessory stores just next to each other.
3.Two streets north of Paseo Colon at the heigth of KFC (west end of Paseo Colon) is a Suzuki dealer carrying most spare parts.
4.Thorsten and Thomas from Wild-Rider, a German motorcycle rental company can direct you to some more shops around San-Jose. See www.wild-rider.com for directions (Paseo Colon, one block east of KFC).

PANAMA CITY, Panama:
1.MPH is the best adress to find Pirelli tires (e.g. MT60 or MT900 in different sizes and other accessories. They are on Avenida Brasil, close to the intersection with Calle 50.
2.Right on the intersection of Avenida Brazil with Calle 50 is a Yamaha Dealership with a limited selection of tires.
3.Further east at the intersection of Calle 50 with Calle 65 is a very good BMW Dealership. They carry lots of BMW spares and some tires. Say also seem to have a good workshop.
4.A bit further east at the intersection of Calle 50 with 74, just behind the Shell gas station is a KTM dealership carrying some tires.
5.Norht of Via Espana, on Calle Tumba Muerto, just 300m east of the edisson mall is a decent Suzuki dealership carrying mostly 'Duro' tires and many spare parts. Here is, where we bought our Tires, Duro F904. The Good-Year shop accross the road is able to mount tires for US$4 per tire.
6.Three traffic lights east of Suzuki turn right, pass MIMO and a church. ATV is a quad shop on the left side. They do not carry 17-inch tires but some others.
7.Moto Potencia on Via Espana, about 1 km east of Av. Brasil on the right hand side carry Duro tires and some others. There are two more motorbike shops just 100 m up and down the road. Another one is about 1 km further east on Via Espana.