Dear all,

hope you are well!
It has been a while since I've last posted something here but for the past 5 weeks, I've been doing little but reading and researching the HUBB and bike forums. Basically doing my homework.

I'm about to jump on my biggest trip yet. A proper RTW covering the whole of Europe, Africa (down west, up east), Asia, Alaska to Ushuaia and, hopefully, 60.000 miles and 18 months later, back to London.

Now; my last very big trip was 9 years ago and I must admit I am a bit rusty, therefore, I am planning to leave in the Spring of 2018. Before then, I will take every opportunity to do long solo trips to get back in the groove.
My planning is moving at a very fast pace and I am confident I will overcome the biggest challenge of them all: TO LEAVE!


Having said all that, I am now at that magical, amazing, delicious moment when I will buy my bike and the contenders are:

-KTM990 2009 (finding lots with around 20.000 miles at £4.800)
-GS1200 2006 (finding some with around 40.000 miles at £5.000)
-F800GS 2010 (difficult to find, but have seen a few with 20.000 at £4.999.99)
-TIGER 800XC 2009 (quite a few with 20.000 miles at £4.800)

(basically, my budget is between £4000 and £5000 and would be lovely to get something at £4.250)


I have read enough stuff like "decide your bike depending on your route" or "how much off-road will you do".
All rubbish really since all these bikes are much more capable than me and we all know you could do this trip with almost any bike you choose. On top of that, I will be chasing as much tarmac as possible so, in theory, they can all do a fine job.
So I am coming from a mentality of allowing the bike to find me as much as I will find her (what I mean is my ultimate choice will depend on the opportunity I find when the money is in my hand. Which will be now, May 2017)


I love all these bikes almost equally (usually love the most the one I am looking at any given moment) so the heart-part of things is definitely covered.
At the moment I'm SO IN LOVE with the KTM990 despite its huge proportions. Plenty of great bikes for sale in the UK at the moment...
The GS1200 is the safest choice(?) and demands least maintenance on long distances with its driveshaft. Not too difficult to find but finding a good one might not be so easy.
The F800GS is the most sensible choice. Cheapest insurance, best MPG, although not too many available at the moment.
Then there is the Tiger with its silky smooth engine and awesome power... Plenty available out there.

Here comes my question then:
How many miles would you consider too many miles on each of these bikes? I'm no expert in mechanics and always feel like bikes can go forever depending on how well they've been maintained. So, for the sake of the argument and to make matters as simple as possible, let's pretend all of these bikes are in good condition for their age, have full-service history and are sensibly presented.

Appreciate everyone's contribution. I know most of you are far more qualified than me (especially regarding mechanics) so BIG THANKS! Any tips on specificities, and what to look for (engine-wise) are also very much welcomed!

IT'S BIKE TIME!!!!!!!!!