if you're only 24 then an old BMW will (hopefully, unless you're a very sensible boy) feel incredibly dull to ride. remember, before the fashionable 1200 GS, these were for the 'pipe and slippers brigade' here in the UK.
if you've got cash, then try lots of bikes. if Albania is a while off yet, maybe pickup an interesting road bike (st2/4, multi-strada, zx9, triumph of some sort) for your euro trips, and then after a while change it for a 1200 GS (they will be dropping in price).
forget the nonsense about having to make 'costly modifications' to a stock bike for euro road riding. you don't, unless you're very pernickety or an elephant. if you can't ride a stock bike 2 up with luggage, then it's probably broken or you need more lessons.
a conventional tourer has more street cred than a non-1200 GS. the most important thing is that your pillion is happy, and isn't experiencing vibes through the foot-pegs (ruled out an older GS for my pillion).
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