Hi all,

Thanks for your replies. Lots of info.

Maybe let me start with the planned tour - to be honest no clear picture yet, it's just the feeling that I want to do it. I've met several guys on a RTW while in South America and have been thinking about it since (came back myself only about 4 months ago). Now I have a huge world map hanging in our kitchen pinning down places to go to. That's about it. Oh and saving up money...

As for style of riding. In South America I would say it was about 70/30 in favor to onrad. I had no previous riding experience whatsoever, I got my license for the trip. Wasn't a huge problem, learning by doing. I don't think the ratio would change a whole lot, but if it would then in favor to offroad riding.

I liked the F800GS a lot as I mentioned (works very well for 70/30 I think). Main consideration for DR is price (two fully eqipped overlanders can cost some money, especially beamers) and weight. Weight not necessarily only for taking it offroad, but also for making it easier to handle for myself and my girlfriend. To be honest I had a very hard time putting my bike on the centerstand when fully loaded, 40 kg less would make that difference. Also I was in a situation twice were I was caught under the bike in a way I couldn't lift it off my foot due to the angle in which it had fallen to the ground and my friend had to lift it off my foot (luckily no injuries). I'd like my girlfriend to be able to do that in emergency situations.

So for me it's not only the way it handles offroad when thinking about weight, it's also other things.

Someone on ADV Rider already mentioned buying them overseas and I wouldn't mind, the route would just have to be planned accordingly. But I'm still concerned about registering & insuring the bike, haven't had time to reasearch on how to do it as a non citizen and especially cost also. If anyone had information or links on that I'd appreciate it. Just point me in the right direction.

And by the way thanks for the links, I have read the most common threads on prepping the DR for overland I think, but keep them coming.

Cheers,
Thomas