KLR650 if you are 6ft and above. Suzuki DR650 if you are shorter then that. The Suzuki is air cooled which is a great feature on a RTW trip.

The DRZ400 is also a good bike, but the seat height is tall like the KLR650 and the DRZ400 wont be able to go as fast on the highway.

The Yamaha WR250R might be your best bet. It has 6 gears and is a very capable 250 cc. This bike has sold extremely well. It has a tall seat height like the KLR650 and DRZ400.

__________________
http://www.journeyrider.net Latin America blog (07-8)

Consider these few qualities:

* Reliability
This goes without saying. Breaking down in the middle of nowhere or every second day is not what you want on a long trip. Headache, waiting for spare parts, skipping planned destinations and stretches because you are waiting for repair and spare parts...etc etc

* Lightweight - going off the grid and in general of Asia, South and central America and more - roads are bad, traffic is slow - no need for a 2 wheeled walrus of +250 kilograms of weight + equipement and luggage - or +100 HP is NOT what you need in most part of the world

* Economical - some bikes need oil change, valve adjustment and general service more often than others - which make up for more expences.
Fuel efficiency - some bikes will get 35 kms pr liters, others half of that. Fuel is getting more and more expensive around the world, and fuel will be one of your largest expences for a long trip. Consider this too. Some bikes costs 20-30 000 €, others 5-6000 €. The more expensive ones are NOT the best (imo)

* Range - going off into the unknown its always reassuring having a good range. And in remote parts of the world thats actually essential too. And fuel should be carried in the gas tank, not in cannisters strapped down somewhere on the outside of the bike. These will eventually fall off, and if not they will take up space for other luggage or spare parts or water of whatever you will carry.

Have a great trip!

__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

TS is based in Belgium and all those bike models you mention have not been available in Europe since around year 2000 due to european emission standards. So although all the models you mention have great overland potential - they will be hard to get a hand of and if you find one it will be at least 20-22 years old and chances its had a good bit of beating up through the years is high. Not recommended...

__________________
In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

"Simple" technology is a relative term.

If you are a boomer brought up on carbed field bikes you are going to find changing a jet to deal with altitude simple.

If your background is apps and Windows, reading FI codes will be far more comfortable.

If you can barely charge your own mobile and rate oil change intervals by which loan bike the suited lizard tries to sell you, forget technology and get what the local commuters use.

I'd need 6 months with a DR650 to get my head round which bits were like my CL350, which like my CB500X and which totally different. I'd do better forcing myself back onto a POS F650 because I used to know which bits of Austro-Italian cheese-metal were going to break next.

Andy

[QUOTE
Brands are meaningless. You pick a bike you like then learn how it fails and how to fix it.

Andy[/QUOTE]
I agree in, somewhat. The f650gs Dakar's weak point is the water pump (50k KMS I had no issues with the bike). The part packs small, is relatively inexpensive, and is a manageable road side repair. On the other hand, some bikes have a less than stellar reputation, with high probability of impossible repairs and things that can go wrong that could get you killed. If you got instance bought one of the first royal Enfield Himalayans, don't get surprised if your entire front end breaks off. Choosing a bike with a decent to great reputation for reliability is good advice. Telling a noob who want to go RTW, without having nothing else to go by, to buy whatever bike he likes - is potentially terrible advice

It is a great bike. It is a bit pricey to start, and most would like to make some costly upgrades on dual sports that they might not feel the need to do on a factory made adventure bike. One of the more popular upgrades that are more common for dual sports, and less common for adventure bikes with +300 km range, is swapping out the tank for one with a bigger volume. Things like strengthening the sub frame, adding a wind screen, upgrading the seat adding electrical outlet or hand protectors, are all things that also come to mind on many dual sports - where the adventure bike alternative may suffice in those departments. It all adds up.

In terms of reliability, parts accessibility, access to support en route, etc. Honda is the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with Yamaha coming in at second place. Over all, both brands have a great reputation for reliability. BMW on the other hand, who coined the adventure bike, is known for advanced tech, creature comforts and performance - and decent reliability. KTM is known for "Ready To Race" with the greatest performance. KTM and BMW usually tops the price lists.

If I was to give blind advice, I'd say Yamaha or Honda.

__________________
Blog: www.bamakobyvespa.no
My Youtube Channel