One question I hear a lot from folks who ride Baja with me is: What should I bring? There are several sets of answers to that question. I’ll do my best to address all of them in a series of blogs, with each one addressing each of the following topics:

• Spare parts.
• Personal clothing and riding gear as outlined in the blog below.
• Camera(s).
• Tools.
• Bike preparation.
• Legal stuff (insurance, passports, etc.).

This blog will address spare parts and maintenance items. Here’s what I recommend you bring with you:

• Spare tubes, a tire repair kit, and a tire pump. This is always a good idea and we sell all of these things. I carry the electric pump that runs off the RX3’s battery.
• An extra spark plug. I’ve never needed one, but I’ve always carried one.
• A throttle cable and a clutch cable. I once read that it makes sense on an adventure ride to bring these with you, and I’ve done so ever since on all of my motorcycle rides. I’ve never needed to replace either cable (knock wood), but if and when I do, I’m ready. You can route the spare cables alongside the existing cables so that you know where they are and they are ready to go when (and if) you need them.
• Oil. My RX3 doesn’t use much oil, but it does use some. I’m bringing a quart with me to replenish the little bit it does use. Hey, we’ll be covering about 2000 miles.
• An extra headlight and tail light bulb. On our first Baja ride we had a few people lose their headlight and tail light bulbs. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, you’ll be glad you have spare bulbs with you.
• Lucas fuel treatment. Sometimes the fuel in Mexico has a little water in it. This stuff works wonders. Bring a small bottle with you just in case.
• A spare countershaft sprocket. I’ve never personally experienced this problem, but on our first Baja run with the RX3 my good buddy Justin lost his. It’s happened to two other people (worldwide) that I know about. Like I said, I’ve never needed one, but I’ll always carry one.
• A collection of small bolts and nuts. It's a motorcycle ride, folks, and it's a long one. Things shake off. If you want, we’ll make up a fastener care package and price it for you. Better to not need it and have it than it would be to need it and not have it.

More good news, and this is only for the fortunate few riding Baja with us this year. Steve is going to knock 20% off the price of any of the items listed above if you buy them for the Baja trip. Order the above items now and we’ll have them ready for you when you arrive. If you don’t order them now, we may be temporarily sold out when you arrive.

Oh, and that dirt road in the photo above? Don't worry about that. Nearly all of our riding will be on asphalt, and the little bit we do off road will be optional. That particular road is the route to the cave paintings, and like I said, that's only if you're up for it.

That's it for now. If you think I've missed anything, shoot me an email and let me know!