R1200gsa
I rode around a fair amount of South America on an 06 R1200GSA that I bought new in Australia. I was two up with my ex, 3 panniers, tank bag and 100 litres of canvas bags. The bike got dropped countless times, once at 100kms per hour on ice and other times low speed dirt stacks due wind, other drivers and me being a bit unco at times. We travelled in a range of conditions; freezing, wet, hot, high altitude and windy for around 25000kms and I don't have a bad thing to say about the bike. It was perfect for the trip we did and I only wished I was a little taller so I didn't drop it as often. I don't criticise other bikes that I don't have experience with and I met guys on transalps, ktm's, teneres etc (no Harleys?) and they all seemed pretty happy with their bikes. The 1200 was a big bike but was very easy to handle once you were rolling due to the low centre of gravity and with a sheepskin the missus and I travelled very comfortably. It had the power to haul us up big hills in Bolivia at 4000+ metres with shit fuel and could eat up kms on a motorway with ease. Take what you read with a pinch of salt especially if the comment is coming from someone who has no experience with the bike they are talking about.
Goodluck with your choice.
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