XR400, NX650, XR600, XR650R, or XR650L?

[danielsprague]

Hi

I'm in the UK and looking to go around Africa for around 18 months on a bike. I'm pretty sure I want a Honda of some description or another. I know this is a sweeping Question, but out of the five aforementioned models, which would you take? I'm looking to go through countries like Congo and Sudan, so I'll need something with good off-road capabilities, although I'm not going to be thrashing it at full whack through the bush or anything.

The XR650R sounds good, although I don't like the idea of a liquid cooled bike.

I like the idea of the XR400, although the smaller engine would probably mean I'd be thrashing it more than one of the bigger bikes, plus it's water cooled.

I've not heard much of the XR650L - would this maybe be the perfect solution?

The NX650 sounds good, although it's not as powerful as the XR650R, right?

And I really don't know much about the XR600; should I consider it?

I've got about £3000 max to spend.

I would be really grateful for any advice - I'm buying the bike specifically for this trip.

Cheers

Dan