My wife and I are looking to get two bikes to travel from the UK into France/Spain/Portugal....maybe further.... Over the next few years with no single trip lasting more than 1-2 weeks (so we are not going round the world!)

We will also use the bikes for green laning in the UK (where any trails are left!)

In an ideal world, we would be the same size with the same experience and get two identical bikes for ease of maintenance/spares... But we aren't!!!

I'm 6ft6 250lb...have done a few weeks solo in Namibia and can pick up a GS1200 like it's a MX bike.

She's 5ft6 120lb...passed her test this year and can just about pick up her Arai

My original plan was two DRZ400's (possibly getting SM and converting them as they seem to be a few more about) but I am worried it will be to big and heavy for her and to small for me?

So plan 2 is to go for a CRF250L for her and something bigger for me - meaning I can carry more of the gear leaving her free to just worry about riding the bike. Possibly an XT660Z? I realise it's not the best thing of road but I'm pretty confident that if I encounter a trial I can't manage on a bigger bike, she will already run into trouble even though she's on a smaller bike (although, when she gets better and ends up leaving me behind I will need a rethink!)

So....DRZ400 and shrink one/boost the other?

CFR250L and a Tenere?? (I rode a Super Ten in Namibia and loved it...just a big lump for anything other than African gravel roads)

Something better? Don't want BMW - have done the Off Road Skills course in Wales a couple of times and love the GS1200 (she used the 700) but wouldn't take one on a trip without a backup truck....too many bits to go wrong.

The riding will be as much of road as possible but simply getting to the ferry port from our home in the UK will involve a decent chunk of motorway.

We are not mechanical experts so something simple is important.

Thanks guys/girls

Mark (and Jen)