Do I need to be a competent mechanic?
Kei,
I started my trip without the faintest idea of how to change a tire, why your bike won't start after you drop it, no spanish beyond una cerveza gracias and well, only the vaguest idea of how to put my tent up. Seven months, three countries and 12,000k later me and my Japanese 250 Enduro are going better than ever, I speak competent Spanish for my needs, and largely thanks to this website and YouTube, can have my wheels off in a few minutes, do basic maintenance myself and feel pretty confident riding finding my way around whatever the road conditions. Not saying I'm great or anything - still a n00b to all this but it can be done, even by me who is certainly not the sort of person that fancies himself as the practical, hands-on type at all - throw caution to the wind a bit but plan to the best of your ability nevertheless - but most of all just get out here and do it. I've learnt so many useful skills in the past several months and have had a great time too
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