Europe Tour - 6 months

[matloik]

In the very beginning stages of planning a 6 month tour through Europe next year, and starting to think through some of the macro economics and high-level plans. Any advice and information on the below topics is greatly appreciated.

It will be my wife and I on two bikes. We live on the west coast of the US. I'm a dual US / FIN citizen; she is US. We are pushing 50 in age.

BIKES
Thinking BMW F800 & F650. We've both had Rotax BMWs in the past. Maintenance would be easier being that the F8/F650Gs are similar. Though I'm not sure we'd really need that off-pavement capable bikes in Europe, eh? We are mainly off-road riders here. Leaning toward getting slightly used bikes here and kitting them up; and shipping to/from Europe.

BUDGET
We don't want to camp but some of the time; we don't need fancy. If budget would allow, not having to carry camping gear sure would be nice. Would $150 USD / day get us through, inclusive of fuel/oil/tyres/etc. I can do all bike maintenance.

ROUTE / COUNTRIES
Western Europe; Scandinavia; some into Russia; Baltics ... and then south. Probably not UK. Probably be up north July & Aug.

SEASON
Thinking something like June-Nov, with the latter half in southern, warmer countries.