OK, I am almost there. Flipflopped a bit as expected the more I read about all these options. After more considertion I eliminated the DRX400. Mostly because I agree with Fern....riding with pillion and bags on that bike is just too much to ask of it. I rode pillion and luggage on much smaller bikes all over the world in S. America and Asia, but always on shitty roads with heavy traffic that wouldnt have made me feel comfortable going above 80kph even if the little machine under me could do it.

The reality is I will be riding with a pillion quite often. And although I will likely end up in Africa/and or Asia with this bike at some point, I will also be doing plenty of highway commutes to nature areas in Europe. I think it would probably hold up, but like I said, its a lot to ask of it.

Also I realize the DR650 is just much more practical in general for the road. Sure Ill be taking it offroad, but not all the time and when I do I am not the type to rip around much.

So I focused more on comparing the pros and cons of a CB500X with a RR kit and a DR650. Both can be found used and cheap here.

And I am gravitating more towards the DR650. Here's my main reasons:

The biggest is weight. CB is a full 30 kilos heavier. And I am TINY. 1.73 meters weighing in at a whopping 53kilos (that's 5'8" 120 pounds!). So weight really matters (Its really the main thing that made me want to ditch my Triumph Scrambler in the first place).

Next is the carburated engine. I know I initially stated that fuel consumption was important to me, but the more I think about it the more I feel its also important not to be stuck in the Pamirs with some FI problem I have no idea how to tinker with.

I think what I really want is something in between the DRZ400 and the DR650...that is not fuel injected and weighs in around 155kilos. Suitable for a pillion, good off road but better on and all the other stuff I have stated I am looking for.

For now Im thinking the DR650 is not exactly what Im looking for, but it comes pretty close.