Kevin
Don't over worry yourself. If your bike has been reliable up to now, it will stay that way. make sure it has a full service before you go and everything gets the once over. A good independant will do this and I always use Jono at Adventure Bike Warehouse because I know my bike will be properly set up. Steptoe will do the same job and it's worth the time and the money.
Make sure you start with new tyres as getting them when you want or need them may be a problem out there. Your tyre wear won't be as bad as it is here because teh road surfaces are generally very good and you probably only be mooching about at sensible speeds. I recommend Heidenau's if you just want a quality tyre which will last. The K76 is a part knobbly and a K60 is a "tourance" type which both give excellent mileage and grip. We use them for Alaska and get 10k easily. Later types like the Anakee 3's are designed more for grip than longevity. As for puncture safe, don't bother because it's the messiest stuff you'll ever use and next time your tyres get changed, the fitter will have a fit. You know when you have a puncture and a simple rats tail type repair kit and a pump will be your best bet. Slime pumps have a really good name but I've got a pump which I got from a garage for £2.99 which does teh same job. remember that the CANBUS system on the bike won't run a pump off the standard connector because it uses over 5 amps. You have to fit another socket direct to the battery via a fuse and keep the motor running when you use it.
Take a decent toolkit as well and you are good to go
Don't over worry yourself. If your bike has been reliable up to now, it will stay that way. make sure it has a full service before you go and everything gets the once over. A good independant will do this and I always use Jono at Adventure Bike Warehouse because I know my bike will be properly set up. Steptoe will do the same job and it's worth the time and the money.
Make sure you start with new tyres as getting them when you want or need them may be a problem out there. Your tyre wear won't be as bad as it is here because teh road surfaces are generally very good and you probably only be mooching about at sensible speeds. I recommend Heidenau's if you just want a quality tyre which will last. The K76 is a part knobbly and a K60 is a "tourance" type which both give excellent mileage and grip. We use them for Alaska and get 10k easily. Later types like the Anakee 3's are designed more for grip than longevity. As for puncture safe, don't bother because it's the messiest stuff you'll ever use and next time your tyres get changed, the fitter will have a fit. You know when you have a puncture and a simple rats tail type repair kit and a pump will be your best bet. Slime pumps have a really good name but I've got a pump which I got from a garage for £2.99 which does teh same job. remember that the CANBUS system on the bike won't run a pump off the standard connector because it uses over 5 amps. You have to fit another socket direct to the battery via a fuse and keep the motor running when you use it.
Take a decent toolkit as well and you are good to go
