Should I have my bike serviced in Turkey or England ?

[Paul15]

I am riding to Thailand I'm going through Turkey my service intervals are quite long 9 1/2 thousand Miles intervals , it would be a lot nearer the service interval if I have it serviced in Turkey any advice about appreciated please ?
I have searched on this site first but couldn't find specific advice
My bike is a KTM 1190 adventure it doesn't need a service for another 5000 miles but will then need a big service valves etc ,plus change chain sprockets tyres and brakes. If I do get it done in Turkey it should ok then to Thailand re mileage.
Thanks for any advice
Safe riding
Paul

[PanEuropean]

Paul:

I suggest you get the bike serviced in England before you depart, not because the UK mechanics are any better than the mechanics in Turkey, but simply because it is prudent to have a thorough inspection and control of the moto before setting off on a trip such as the one you are planning.

For what it's worth, I base my European motorcycle out of Zurich, and I always get a major service done at the start of every year, before I head out on long trips (Morocco, Turkey, Scandinavia, etc.), without regard to whether or not such a service is required based on mileage alone.

In 10 years and 170,000 km of riding, I have NEVER had a technical problem on the road... never.

The last thing you need on a UK to Thailand ride is headaches along the way, or difficulty finding parts along the way. Get 110% of the necessary service done at home before you leave (including installation of a couple of new tires if your exiting tires won't take you all the way to Thailand), then you can enjoy a worry-free and hopefully trouble-free trip.

Sure, it might seem like a bit of a 'waste' to replace the chain, tires, brake pads, etc. before they reach the end of their life, but consider it to be cheap insurance. You're going to have to spend the money anyway before you reach Thailand, might as well spend it up front and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with having everything in perfect shape before you leave home.

Michael

[mark manley]

The only thing I would add to PanEuropean's good advice is ask the mechanic to let you watch the service and learn something about your bike from them, it might come in useful on the road and get their advice on a tool kit so you have enough to perform basic work but don't carry tools you will never use.

[Paul15]

Thanks very much both of you for the advice I think I've just got a get my head round the fact that On such a big trip I'm going to have to spend some serious money before I go and have my bike serviced well before it needs it and lots of things changed again before they need it, before I leave.
Much appreciated
Safe riding
Paul

[PanEuropean]

Hi Paul:

You've pretty much figured it out.

If it is any consolation, consider that the ancillary costs associated with having to carry out an unscheduled repair in a foreign country along the route (shipping of parts, food and lodging while waiting for the parts, communications expenses, etc.) could easily make an unscheduled enroute repair or replacement of a component cost 3X as much as the same work carried out ahead of time in your home town.

FWIW, I spend about £1,000 in the spring of every year on preventative maintenance (scheduled services, tire changes, brake pad changes, stuff like that) before heading out on annual rides of 7,000 to 10,000 km. I don't think I have ever worn a set of tires or brake pads out, they always get replaced before the beginning of a long ride, rather than at end-of-life. The payoff is what I wrote above: the bike has never let me down or inconvenienced me enroute in 10+ years and 170,000+ km.

I have a ST1100, the costs might be less for a smaller bike.

Michael

[Paul15]

Michael
Really good advice I will take it my trip is over 15000 miles then I want to tour around Thailand so it needs to be right.
Thanks again
Paul

[Russ McDermid]

Paul,
Im riding with you and if you need any major KTM work done in Chiang Mai before your Thai ventures, I have a lot of experience & contacts there ... so just worry about the first 12k miles.
Notwithstanding a lot of good advice on the thread here already.
Russ

[PanEuropean]

Paul:

One final thought: Check with a mechanic who has great experience on your specific make and model of motorcycle to determine if there are any uncommon small parts or lubricants that are needed when you carry out otherwise simple tasks such as brake pad replacement or tire changes. If there are any such parts or lubricants, consider bringing one set with you on your trip.

By example, my ST 1100 has three O-rings in the rear final drive that need to be replaced periodically. The logical time to inspect and replace them (if necessary) is when the rear tire is being changed. These three O-rings are small and relatively inexpensive, but it is very unlikely that any Honda dealer would have them in stock. So, I carry a set with me, in case I need to change a tire away from home.

Similarly, the ST 1100 requires a very unique 60% moly paste as a lubricant in the final drive. Again, this is something that a small Honda dealer in a country where scooters and 250cc bikes are more common would probably not have in stock, so, I carry an ounce of this stuff with me in a tiny jar.

It's possible that your bike might need certain small, unique parts, if so, it's worthwhile to have them with you when you are far from home in countries where your make and model of moto is not commonly found.

Michael

[Paul15]

Michael Russ
thanks very much for this advice it's really helpful. I think it's just a case of making the decision to get everything done before I go as my previous email.
it will be really help to be able to get things done in Chiangmai and the advice re small bits is great

[Paul15]

I managed to break my leg in two places whilst delivering blood on the Blood Bike although it was a result of a trip not bike accident, anyway The big ride is off now as I won't heal in time.
I am hoping to ship the bike over to Thailand later in the year and tour round if I can with my leg ? very very disappointed .
Safe riding
Paul

[mark manley]

Sorry to hear that Paul, I hope the leg heals well and you are off on your trip ASAP.

[PanEuropean]

Hi Paul:

Very sorry to hear about your injury - get well soon.

Shipping to Asia can be both expensive and fraught with perils that don't affect shipping between fully developed countries (for example, Europe-North America or Antipodes-Europe).

Considering that most of the benefit of using your own bike would be the trip itself between the UK and Thailand - and now that's off the agenda - I think it might be far less expensive and much more trouble-free for you to investigate perhaps renting a local moto for the duration of your tour in Siam.

Once you add up all the costs involved in shipping your own bike (not to mention the headaches involved), I think you will find that you will have one heck of a large budget available for rental.

I have not rented a bike in Asia, but I have investigated the costs and headaches of shipping my bike to Asia, and my conclusion was 'forget it'... and I'm no novice, I've shipped my bike trans-Atlantic half a dozen times.

Michael

[*Touring Ted*]

Rule 101....

Have you bike as well serviced and in top condition BEFORE you leave on your trip.

I think you can do a RTW on most bikes with nothing but oil changes, chains/sprockets and brake pads if you have your bike ready first.

Do it in England. I'm sure there are some great mechanics in Turkey. But you probably don't who they are or you wouldn't be asking this question. Why take the risk.

Everything is easier and usually cheaper in your own country and in your own language. Whatever they may be.

[Paul15]

Thanks for good wishes and advice.
I have rented a lot before but getting full insurance is always the issue in Thailand. I am going to explore different ways I can get a bike in Thailand which sounds like it might be better.
Cheers and safe riding
Paul