Thanks for all the great responses. I continue my research, but am getting weary of the vids and such....but I have to admit to some great ideas being found.

On budget - I will not attempt to leave until I have 100K for the trip, or solid sponsorship or both. My 25K mentioned is where I am right now. This is just travel $$ with the rest being spent before leaving and not included in that 25K. My bike will not cost too much as I will buy used, and I have a bike now that I will be able to get 5K for. Plus some serious gear to sell - at least 50k on the used market. So I am already getting close.

And I will not take off until I am ready. If it takes 2 years than that's what it takes. One lesson from the vids that's clear is be prepared - just like everything. When I do a gig, I map out every cable, every mic, every speaker placement then always bring 25% more - and I rarely have issues. Planning....

Part of the reason for a 3 year trip is that if I want to explore the music thing, then that takes time. It means more budget for staying still maybe. And it definitely means time spent working - and there are numerous posts about how difficult this is.....contemplating.

I am going on this trip. It may be shorter. It may be longer. But I am going. I will be going on a short 1 month trip after festival season ends and this year that's Aug. 11 - so maybe Aug 13th I can get out of town. My band plays Sept 14, so that's my window.

I can't help but be attracted to the Super Tenere - but I am fully aware of why this may not be the best solution. It turns out there is Tenere 660 out there in motorcycle land, but not in north america.

So listing features that I would like on a bike may make a decision easier:

Hard panniers
Cruise control
Adjustable suspension
Adjustable windshield
Extra gas tank
Hiway bars
Driver back rest
not too loud (my current Yamaha Vstar 1100 has pipes that are too loud)
Ability to work on myself
Availability of parts world wide - and I don't have an answer to this one yet. It appears that this depends on where you are, (of course) but the V-strom seems to be popular all over and parts available. Still reading.
Enough power to pass at 100 km/h without issue - yes, I know this is not going to be important for most of the trip, but my last bike could not handle this with a load (2 people and gear) and it sucked.
Excellent long mileage record

These features are important to me. Most should be got for all bikes on the after market parts I assume.

I also prefer shaft drive over a chain - but on the fence on this one. Both have good and bad features.

You know - just making this decision and spending time researching has given me a life lift. Something to be excited about. A dream. When riding long distance on a bike I often contemplate which I love more, being on a bike or playing music. I have done both my whole life having started on dirt bikes when I was about 12. This dream melds the two together. How fantastic is that!