My companion on this trip will be a mechanical assembly of complex parts (my bike!) and will probably need a little bit of TLC, a lot of maintenance and some repairs in the coming months.
I’m not a mechanic, but I want to be as autonomous as possible in order to reduce costs and allow me to manage problems in remote areas.
I have done the basic maintenance of my motorcycle for the past 10 years so I am able to these tasks without much difficulty:
- Engine Oil Change
- Final Drive Oil Change
- Gearbox oil change
- Brake fluid change
- Final drive lubrification
- Changing brake pads
- Puncture Repair
- Tire change (not always easy, however!)
- Changing the alternator belt
- Changing spark plugs
- Adjusting valves
- Air Filter Cleaning
I’ll also have a GS911 to connect to the onboard computer to allow me to read the error codes if present.

Tools | Comments | Price |
Toolboxes 12″X9″ | Doskogill | 50,00 |
Screw drivers | 2X | 5,00 |
Tire iron bars | 8″ 3X | 30,00 |
Oil filter tool | BMW | 30,00 |
Multi-function knife | Victorinox | 50,00 |
Pressure Gage (tires) | 10,00 | |
Wise Grip | 6” | 10,00 |
Kit Allen Key (Hex) | 1.27mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm | 25,00 |
Ratchet key 5/8 | 8” | 10,00 |
Ratchet key 1/4 (Screw driver style) | 6mm | 5,00 |
Torx | 5,00 | |
Torx socket 1/4 | T7, T8, T9, T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, E7, E8 | 25,00 |
Torx socket 5/8 | T25, T30, T40, T45, T50, T55, E7, E10, E12 | 25,00 |
Ratchet adaptor | 2,00 | |
Extenters | 2″and 6″ ( 5/8″) | 5,00 |
Hex adaptor for front wheel removal | 25,00 | |
Sockets 1/4″ | 5mm, 5,5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm, 11mm | 25,00 |
Sockets 5/8″ | 12mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 5/8, 17mm, 3/4 | 25,00 |
Hex socket | 5/16, 6mm | 5,00 |
Mini screw drivers | 6 sizes | 10,00 |
Valve stem remover | 10,00 | |
Small hammer | 10,00 | |
Spark plug cap remover | BMW | 10,00 |
Spark plug socket | 14mm | 10,00 |
Brake oil cap remover | BMW | 20,00 |
Tire puncture kit | Genuine Innovations, tools, plugs | 10,00 |
Electrical pliers | 25,00 | |
GS911 | 300,00 | |
Tire pump | CyclePump | 100,00 |
Multi use screw driver kit | 25,00 | |
Cutters | 25,00 | |
Long-nose pliers | 5,00 | |
Broken screw remover | 10,00 | |
Feeler gauges | 10,00 | |
Wrench set | 12 X (6mm to 17mm) | 75,00 |
BeadPro Tire Bead Breaker | 100,00 | |
872,00 |
I will also carry various small replacement parts and maintenance supplies. This will be the topic of my next post!
Preparation - Maintenance Supplies
A motorcycle is not a warehouse! But I still have to keep a limited selection of supplies that will allow me to overcome any mechanical problems and do the basic maintenance each 5000 km. As mentioned in the previous post, I will have all the tools I normally use for ... Read more
Preparation - Vaccines and preventive medication
A 6-month trip to Central and South America comes with minor health risks. The rules of hygiene, water and food quality are highly variable from one place to another, and they are certainly not what my body is used to in North America. Certain precautions must be taken before departure. ... Read more