Thanks Mollydog,

Nice to get tips from experienced travelers!

I've just changed the tires. I've gone for Pirelli MT21 on the front, and Conti TKC80 on the back. I've done this after researching on the site, and it seemed like the perfect combination for on/off road riding. In hindsight I would've stuck with my Bridgestones till Cairo, which is mostly tarmac, and changed to the TKC's there before we hit sandy Sudan and Ethiopia. It seems that tarmac will eat the TKC's on the back. The front, as you said, is not that much of an issue.

I've changed the sprocket and chain about 2000 miles ago. It is a proper o-ring chain that I bought at quite a hefty price from a Honda dealer in Stockholm when we did a practice run there from London. I have a Scottoiler on and it really seems in good nick still. Would you say I have to get it changed after just 2000 miles?

The battery I have thought of. I bought it about two years ago, again from a Honda dealer, but again I don't know the brand. The only reason why I didn't change it is because I am very much from the "if it ain't broke..." school of thought. I might get that changed though.

One other thing that I thought of doing is getting the valve clearances checked. I don't know when it was checked last, so it probably should be done! Your thoughts?

Regards,

Namsa.