Regular maintenance is important to keep the bikes going and to keep us traveling. We do most of the maintenance ourselves. Not only to save money but also to improve our relationships with the bikes. They just need some TLC now and then. If they don't get it they will ask for it. Most of the work can literally be done anywhere, like tire and oil changes. For other jobs we try to find a nice place to work on the bikes so we are out of the rain/sun and the dust. Valve clearances, clutchplate exchange and mounting new JT Drivechains and Sprockets are jobs we prefer to do inside. It is important to be as comfortable as possible. Bike positioning, seats on both sides of the bike and good light are essential. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig has been a good guide in having the right mindset to start a job. Azure has learned fast and is very self sufficient in maintaining her Transalp. Whenever we need a big job done we tend to run into the right people to help us out with space to work, specific tools or tons of experience working on bikes. Nice how the universe comes together like that...