In my experience, the VFR's discomfort is way overblown. It's no CBR; as long as you have the correct body positioning, and the core strength to keep your weight off the wrists, it's fine, even for all-day-long rides. And I do have a history of spine problems. It's certainly more comfy than my old Gladius that I took to Nordkapp (getting an Airhawk for subsequent trips helped tremendously).

I could get an early R1200GS or a low-miles KTM 990 Adventure for about €6k. I don't really believe in brand-new bikes, other than for availability reasons (i.e. I would love to get the modern Africa Twin, but only once it's done depreciating). But after riding a CB500X around NZ and an XR150 around the north of Vietnam, I'm definitely sold on small, location-appropriate motorcycles, and low weight for offroad use.

Actually, if I were to spend nearly-new-R1200 money, I would just get an S1000XR. Now that's an object of desire. Wouldn't trust any of the Italians for long-distance touring, and my eyes just glaze over when I look at the Tiger. I'm sure it's not a bad bike, but Triumphs look either boring or ugly to me (the latter more for the bug-eye road bikes). There are a bunch of XT660 variants around, a colleague of mine owns an R, might borrow his to see what it feels like.

There was a guy on HUBB a few weeks ago selling a fully built Rally Raid CB500X. Now that's the bike I'd take on a proper RTW.

I wouldn't trust any of the Germans as well, although today not sure if you can afford trusting any brand anymore.

Welp, this discussion will stay theoretical for a little while more, due to a combination of being offered a new job for more money, and wiping out on black ice this weekend. -_- Nothing that isn't fixable, but the VFR is not going to be intercontinental-ready for a bit...

"They" will always get you that way!!

It's a shame about the bike but so long as you came off it OK then alls well.
Bikes can be replaced but human body parts not so easily.

Bikes WAY cheaper to fix than body parts! :D Hope you are OK ... many bikes can work for travel.

New Job? Very tempting! I think I would take it ... at least try things out for a year or two, see how you like it. Being happy in a job is rare ... if you find a situation like that, you should stay a while, save up some money, plan for future.

I worked in Film production over 20 years. Mostly loved it, especially Documentary, being paid to travel RTW. Lots of long breaks between jobs, good pay, interesting work. (sometimes!) I also did lots of movies and TV which was NOT so great! (70 hour weeks can get old!)

Retired from it all ... I really miss the income! So think about that before walking away! (just don't wait too long! or you'll be old and useless like me! doh )

Well, I was in the old job for 13 years. Started back in college. Turning 34 next month. Quit the old job for unrelated reasons and, had I not gotten recruited to the new place (and also gotten into a new relationship as the old job was deteriorating), I was definitely into the idea of going off to travel for as long as my savings would allow, one way or the other.

Very lucky to live in a pretty healthy economy and have some sufficiently obscure but in-demand skills that I was not worried about being out of work long term. Worst case scenario, I go drive a cab.

Documentary filmmaking does sound like a dream job, when you're getting paid for it. An old childhood acquaintance is an accomplished documentary maker - I did some translation for her - was considering asking if she'd be interested in producing a movie from my travels, or, more likely, if she had some film students she'd been mentoring who would be interested. I've done a bit of editing just as a passion project, and it's hard work - a setup where I can just do the travel, get the footage, dump it on a co-author to do the backend fiddly work would be ideal.

Oh no! I was looking forward to hearing about some potential touring details but I am sorry you've had a fall instead.

As for bikes to tour on, I am biased to the Japanese stuff... you only need to see how many clapped-out old Hondas and Yamahas you see just running and running and running to realize they're built to go the distance.

Good luck with the new job and recovery.

No damage to me other than a sore thumb. Sold the VFR for about its market value minus the cost of a set of Chinese replacement fairings. Wanted to get a Crossrunner instead, but ended up with an '08 Yamaha FZ1S - it already had pretty much all the toys I wanted, up to and including a Givi tankring for my existing bag!

I might be able to arrange a week in Norway some time in August, but otherwise vacation time will be tight for a bit.