There's a blog by a fellow called Skillington [ if I recall his name correctly] who travelled with his wife from the UK to Australia on a DL1000 .
You should read that to gain some info .

Tank size on a Strom is 22 litres which is good for 300 km on a DL1000 with average to fast riding on tarmac,one up .
The 650 will do much better than that .
Fuel consumption can vary so much with the type of terrain, quality of fuel and the loading of the bike that it is pretty much a waste of time trying to generalise .

If neither of you are large then I reckon the 650 will be fine .
If you enjoy the power ,get the bigger bike .

It's very easy to buy a couple of 1 gallon jerry cans enroute and strap them to the bike .

Uprated shocks can be fitted and also lifting kits .

The question of chain v shaft is a long debated one and in the old days there was a valid reason to go with shaft for reliability .Nowadays the Xring chains are so good that reliability of the chain is no longer a question and servicing is simple .

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

Thanks a lot for the info, I actually read that thing about the DL1000. I'm quite a big lad but my wife is very wee so I think that it's not an issue. I think that in the more remote areas of the world the amount of ponnies is not that critical because you keep your speed down and we want to see as much as possible so no need for high speed traveling. As for the servicing of the chain I've got one more question. I used to clean and lubricate the chain every 500km so that would mean that I would have to do that almost every day RTW. Am I doing it too often? If not how am I suposed to do that? I'm not going to carry 20 bottles of lubricator and cleaner am I?

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Fit a chain oiler and you won't have to worry .
To clean the chain ,just turn up the drip rate and the muck will fly off as you ride .
Then turn back down for clean sections of tarmac .
X ring chains need very little maintenance compared to the old style unsealed chains .

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

Thanks for the info Dodger! How long does a chain oiler last for?How often does it have to be replaced?

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Good stuff Patrick. You've really put my mind to peace I'll definitely check out yuo info on the VStrom. About the tyres. Should I carry a set of the off road tyres with me and replace them once I get to the more dusty roads or get them replaced with a mechanic somwhere along the line?

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Most RTW riders carry a spare tire or two. The TKC 80's are expensive but are a good compromise tire ... decent off road, really help in mud and yet OK on pavement. Best of all they last pretty well.

Many ship tires up to Alaska and swap out there. For S. America I don't think this will work unless you have an "In" at an embassy. So carrying a tire is what most do. There are certain places where tires are available, and Guatemala is one. Brazil makes lots of Pirelli's but not all countries get them.

Current, local info is best regards tire availability. So do your homework when closer to departure but count on carrying at least ONE spare tire on board.


Cheers,

Patrick

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Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

It's just a conatiner that drips oil via a tube onto the chain .Some are vacuum operated [Scottoiler] some have a tap [homemade] and some you squeeze to oil the chain [loobman] .
You can use special Scott oil , chainsaw oil or gearoil .

So it can last forever [or not as in Pecha72's case !] .

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

I'm sorry Dodger my question wasn't clear. I meant to ask how much oil does it use e.g. per 1000km. How often should it be refilled. I understand that it all depends on the road conditions but just a rough figure. Let's say on a dry Tarmac - how much per 1000km?

Thanks for HELP!
Andy

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Blimey ,I dunno about 50-100mls -probably.
Never really thought much about it .
With a modern chain it would not matter if it ran out of oil halfway .

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

For 2up I say go for the DL1000 the 650 will do it but 1000 adds a but more.
I can get 250+ miles on my loaded up DL650 210+ miles at 9,000 or so feet. can get much more if you go slow but who likes doing that.

The oilers come in different sizes so its hard to say they will go for days mine lasted some where around 3,000 miles on its first filling probly still has oil in it lost it in Norther California on 101 was going to use more zip ties but was looking for a nice place for it.

You can use spray lube as well last longer on the chain but more of a pain to use.

As far which bike any will do it. The old stand by BMW GS will work a r80gs seems to call me. KLR650, DR650, KLE, R1 (not recomended) but you get the idea. For the most part any thing that gets from here to there. good ground clerance is a plus as rocks and the like seem to love hit the bottom of the moto.

As tires go my rear gets 5,000 miles and my frunt 15,000 miles and there not a common size. I replace them befor I NEED to so I can get another 1,000 or so out of a rear and maby 3,000 out of a frunt.

As far as bike set up rear shock, windsheld bracket and seat are things to look at replaceing may want to stiffen up the frunt and use a brace on it as well. The tires need to be replaced there not so grate in sand or mud. May want a better chain I have no problim with mine at 20,000 miles but some say there junk. As long as we are at it LEDs in the stop light a cut off swich for a head light and some powerleets. do some tire chages your self not much fun but good thing to know how to do.

Had my Scott oiler on the DL 650 for about 9 years now.

The first chain and set of sprockets lastet nearly 53 000 km here in OZ, where it is sometimes hot and dusty.But the speed limit is 110 KMH.

Easy as anything and worthwhile, would't ride without one. Takes not only their oil, hydraulic fluid will do fine.

Highly recommended.

Try this for recent info, great people

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/skillington/

Hope this helps
Glen

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Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!