Let me get this out of the way and say I'm looking at this as more of a bicycle touring trip but on a scooter..

Taking bicycle routes, avoiding highways when possible.. wanting to see the small towns and villages along the way.. not race by everything on the highway at 70+mph.

The Trip:

I'm seriously thinking of doing the lower 48 states, up to Alaska and then down through all the countries on the way to Argentina..

Probably 1.5 - 2+/- year trip..

Mostly camping along the way.. except in big cities (hostels/Couchsurfing)

I'd like to do it on a 49cc Honda Ruckus or maybe the 125cc Honda Grom, probably buy used as I may need to donate/scrap/sell at a heavy discount at the end..

As I'm not sure how easy/hard it would be to find a foreign buyer.. or maybe not worth the money to ship back. Anyone?

Thoughts.. and questions..

Seems the Grom gets a lot better MPG at 134 vs 114.. even at a 40,000+/- trip that's only an extra $150 in fuel, no biggie.. unless I'm missing something?

Anyone know what one will be more reliable?

Cheaper parts? Easier to fix? (Outside the USA)

Ground clearance is about the same.. which one is more "off road worthy"?

I'm really curious on if the Grom is dirt road and rock, off road worthy?

I have no idea on the tire and suspension differences between the two bikes?

Ruckus twist and go vs shifting of gears, not sure if this is a big deal or not as I haven't rode a shifting bike yet.. (only semi-auto (Honda Wave 110cc) Thoughts?

Anyone here done a long tour on a scooter or 125cc or lower bike?

Any other thoughts or considerations?