Mickey D,
Thanks for the advice, I too was a little confused with people recommending bikes for a newbie female where she couldn't touch her toes on the ground... I think she need a bike she can stand flat footed on that can keep up with whatever bikes the guys are on... I will look into the Ninja... How would that be on long distances?
Regarding the E-Europe countries you kinda side-swiped me... I expect the roads to be just good enough... and actually less cars on the road than in W-Europe countries... hence one of the reasons for us newbies... We had planned to always park the bikes on the city-skirts & then use public transport in, as I totally agree with you on the cobble stones & crazy big/inner city drivers.
Regarding buying a bike in Europe... When crossing boarders are there problems if 1 guy has 2 bikes in his name? If not then this won't be a problem...
Nath,
To be honest, I have no idea how much of my path will be off-road... but we want to leave the door open if we like it to head across Kazakhstan if we are loving traveling by bike & I don't want the bike to be the reason we don't.
I do agree with you that 2 people's gear on the back is better than 2 people & 2 people's gear... I am coming to accept this is the most likely situation...
houbie,
I wish test riding here was like in SA... here they charge you €20 Fri & Sat and €10 M-R... and that is certainly not off-road inclusive...
I can however rent... at the same shop... weekend for a TransAlp costs €240 (400km +€0.30 per K thereafter)... absolute robbery... not to mention it is snowing here at the moment...
I am feeling like pulling the trigger on a 1-2 y/o transalp is the best idea... this way we can double if need be & I can start getting the hours under my belt... what are the negative points to the TransAlp?
Also if the US guys buys a TransAlp on arrival, what is a US comparable bike?
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