MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE

LESSONS LEARNED ON THE ROAD

- Mitchel de Jager

Some riders love it, others hate it, but it's an important aspect of long-distance overlanding. I'm talking about maintenance on the road. It might seem easy to do some checks and replacements at certain intervals, but it's not always that simple when you are on a long journey. In some regions and countries, obtaining spare parts and even decent oil can be extremely difficult, and it's impossible to bring it all with you. To avoid complications, here are some suggestions to help you prepare for road maintenance and deal with setbacks such as the unavailability of parts.

A DEALER WILL NOT ALWAYS BE CLOSE BY

One of the main challenges faced by motorcyclists traveling long distances in remote regions or foreign countries is the lack of motorcycle dealerships or the long distances between them. This can make it difficult to find spare parts or get repairs done, especially for models that are less common locally. If parts cannot be found, the solution is to order them online, possibly even internationally, using DHL. This typically leads to higher costs and long delays.

Even if you find a big dealer, they might not always provide a proper solution. When we were in the Middle East with our Yamaha Ténéré 700, we ran into issues. Although in-country dealers sold the motorcycle, the demand for parts was so low that they didn't stock spares. Most of the time, they weren't even able to order them within two months. That's why we bring certain parts with us (see the tip about tools below).

GETTING THE TIRES YOU WANT

Getting tires is usually not a problem anywhere in the world, but finding the exact tires you want can be challenging. In some countries, certain brands may not be available or may cost significantly more. Additionally, some countries may not stock suitable all-road or long-lasting tires.