You could say that about any bike......especially if you don't care for it much. All modern bikes have about the same attrition rate...........all have weak areas that need addressing. All need more than an oil change.
Do a few thousand miles on dirt roads and you'll wish you did more than change the oil. Don't listen to him Kei, you learn all you can.

I dont think they do have the same "attrition rate" if i am comparing with other makes of bikes from the guys who i go green lanning with.

As for weak areas that need addressing that is part of the research when picking the right bike

I never changed a tire or did a oil change before i set off on my trip last year and yes " I did a few thousand miles on dirt roads "

Its no black art learning as you go, the main thing is to just GO!

I agree ... over some years and many bikes one may learn a few things about which bikes tend to be solid ... or not. At some point it's personal opinion ... but certain FACTS tend to prove which bikes are best and survive abuse over the long term.

If I were British I guess I'd wonder why the whole world isn't riding old CX500 Honda messenger bikes!

But how does a total NOOB pick the right bike? If you read ADV Rider on the GS forums ... you'd swear the new BMW R1200GSadv is THE best bike in the world for overland travel. So depends who's advice the novice rider listens to. So many go with BIG, Expensive BMW's ... maybe that's why BMW sales are off the charts? But many sell those bikes off after a tour or two.

I agree with the "Just Go" part ... but feel that it's ALWAYS better to have some knowledge in your pocket in case you need it. No, it's not a Black Art, but we DO SEE many novices screw up simple things, ruin their bike, end their trip. Also, some have a knack for mechanics, others are "slow learners". A bit of training never hurt anyone. Knowing a few simple things can ease a lot of needless suffering, expense and massive time wasting. (Been through all that as a kid ... would not want to repeat it.)

So get some training if you have time and motivation.
Would I postpone a departure date due to lack of training? NO WAY!
GO GO GO !!!

Simple really.

Buy a simple bike with low mileage and which has been well maintained. Then have it checked by a GOOD mechanic.

Learn how to do simple repairs and simple maintenance. Just the obvious ones. It's really not that hard at all to check your oil, chain etc and learn how fix a puncture. I am CERTAIN that 90% of all breakdowns are people letting their bikes run low on oil, really stretching maintenance out far too long or when it actually matters, really having no idea how to change a puncture.

I blame a lot of this on the whole "That bike's bulletproof" forum and media chatter. It makes many folk totally nonchalant..... Blasé. It's a machine with a million working parts. Things need maintaining. No matter how "Bullet Proof" it's claimed to be.

Check these boxes and then you'd have to be really unlucky to be stuck anywhere. And if you have a simple bike, A LOT more people can help you fix it if you can't do it yourself.

This is why the big, expensive exotic bikes loaded with gadgets and electronics are the WORST bikes to go long distance travelling on. Unless of course you can just throw ridiculous amounts of cash a problem that you can't solve yourself.

And that's why so many BMW's make it around the world. With enough money, you can be rescued from anywhere. Almost.

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Thanks again for the advice

I have decided to go with a Japanese 250cc enduro, a/c engine

simple enough