Are you a slave to your bike?
 

I am looking, as most of you are/had, at the perfect bike for around the world. I dont anticipate doing extreme off-road, but want something that will be able to if the road dictates this. I have read the BB about what other travelers say about bikes, and it has been very useful. One topic which hasnt been addressed is "How much does the type of bike dictate your actions when you are not actually traveling?" For example, I recently traveled Mexico for 10 weeks with a buddy, we both had old on-off bikes (Honda XL 350, Kawasaki KLX 650). Although they are were not expensive they still attracted attention in Mexico, where, like most of the world, the 100 cc scooter is more the norm. But with these bikes, we were able park inside lobbys, or in courtyards, or at the very least, outside the door of the motel/guest house to be watched for the night. The parking, along with the bikes not being super valuable allowed us relax about leaving them alone and to stay in cheap places without experiencing any vandalism.
For my RTW I am considering both the BMW 1150 Adventure, BMW 650 Dakar, and the Kawa KLR 650. Will the bike I choose dictate me staying in more expensive places and add worry anxiety? We were able to jump curbs and drive up as many as five stairs on the Mexico run, but I dont see that as a possibility with the 1150, and probably not for the 650s. If the bikes will be trashed at the end anyway, I would lean toward the cheaper of the three and travel expecting it.
I would like to know how others have dealt with the more expensive bikes, and how it has effected your travels. Traveling by bike is the greatest freedom, but I dont want to give it up because I have to run back to the motel to look at the bike all night. I would love to go for it and get the BMW 1150 Adventure, but I dont want to be in a position where my bike dictates where/when I travel and where I stay.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Now that you mention it, I too am suprised this hasn't come up before. I ride my R-100GS in Mexico pretty regularly, and in most towns, the locals advise that I not leave my bike out. I have had some very difficult times trying to get the bike into hotel rooms. It can be done, but not if there is a step as you have to lean the bike way over to one side to get the engine throught the door. It does in fact dictate where I stay or if I am comfortable leaving the hotel. A single, like a KLR, could be brought into almost any room.

I am planning a RTW trip starting in June and I am going to take the BMW, but I certainly do consider this a big disadvantage.

I think some one solution that has been mentioned before is to take a bike cover, see:

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000221.html

Hope this helps.

If you buy a KLR for the trip, you start off with $10,000 in your pocket you won't have if you buy the BMW R1150GS Adventure. The KLR is alot easier to deal with on the road. 200 pounds lighter and easier to pickup loaded.
John