I am planning an ~8000 mile trip to Guatemala and back in December and January. I have found some info on border crossings and taking the Ferry, but I have some questions on maintaining the bike on a long trip. I ride an '09 V-Strom 650 and by the time I leave my bike will have around 9000 miles on it. Should I put a new chain (sprockets?) on it before I go? Do you bring chain lube with you? Do you plan a stop in a town that has a dealer to get the oil changed? What spares/tools do you bring? I am thinking of putting some new tires on it before I go but I am not sure what type of tire should I put on it. Something a little more knobby for dirt roads in Mexico?

Here are some more details of the trip:
Leave Dec 16 and return around Jan 16-17. Ride down Baja (sea of Cortez side) take the Ferry to Mazatlan and ride a long the coast all the way down to Guatemala. On the return, go through Belize, the Yucatan penisula then central Mexico hitting places like Cuernavaca, Morelia, Guanajuato, Zacatecas and maybe Monterrey. I am planning to stay in towns and find inexpensive hotels/hostels. I speak fluent spanish (for the most part) I lived in Mexico City for 2 years, but that was almost 10 years ago.

I would appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks!