This sounds like an epic trip... :thumbup1:


I would say go for the most simple bike with technology that is known which has parts easiest to source in the places you are going.

I'm a BMW Tech...

If you're going down the Bavarian route then I would STRONGLY suggest that you go with the older oil cooled ones. The LC's are horrendously fickle. 95% of the problems were ironed out on the oil-cooled bikes and all of the problems are well known.

Shafts are crap, shocks are crap and the bevel gears tend to leak when ridden RTW. These can all be kept on top of. (I can provide you with a list of spares to carry from my workshop experience of fixing them)


The F800GS would be my choice of RTW bike if it had to be a BMW. Strong Rotax motor and a simple bike to work on. I'd swap the rims for quality items though. This bike won't scare some mechanics like a KTM or BMW. I'd trust it...

The Triumph seems to be very good too. I know a few people who have done RTW on them without a single issue.. And they ride really well.

KTM's are loved and loathed. More loved I think though. A fantastic, powerful and capable bike. But as you say that you're avoiding the dirt, why would you buy a dirt capable bike and sacrifice comfort, and 'perhaps' reliability.


Personally I love Japanese bikes from the 90's. I think they offer the best reliability to performance ratio....

If you can find one, a low Mileage RD07A Africa Twin with the right mods would be IDEAL. There's a reason why they're so expensive now. Bloody brilliant bikes if you can live with less power and a bit more weight.

Since you'll be on pavement most of the time, why not buy a cheap and low mileage honda cb500x?

Patrick