Nicely summed up, BP. Barely a wasted word ;-)

Ch

Since you ask for opinions, here's mine. I'd say it all hinges on the passenger. If she's not going to come, the TS is ideal. If she is, I don't think any of them are ideal. Why not do a trial run? Take at least 4 days off and drag her along. Pretend it's for real, so no cheating, and see how it goes. If you can stand the bike and she can stand the "adventure" then you have you're answer. It would really suck to drop thousands of dollars on a bike that fits a need that goes away 2 weeks into the trip if she decides that she can't handle it and takes the bus home. It may be that she loves it and wants to get her license and takes the CB125 to ride herself. You never know until you try :-)

Don't travel on an uncomfortable bike - no one enjoys it!

That is especially important with a pillion! doh

Roger2002's ideal of a test ride is good - do it! Even if it is only an overnight - travel Saturday out, overnight somewhere, return Sunday. That will give an impression (pun intended) as to comfort being acceptable.

You may find the seat is not acceptable - possibly a replacement seat from a wrecker might be a way to go, may look not so good but comfort is what you are after. Once you have changed it test it with another test ride as above. You may find that just half a day into the Saturday start that things are not acceptable, don't persist return and change it. For the pillion you may find a wide seat is best - look for them. The key for the pillion is them being happy, don't go too far into unpleasant experiences otherwise that pillion may never go again :thumbdown:

As for packing - put out what you think you'll need - take half of it. If you really need something you don't have - buy it.

I know you are hearing a lot of suggestions on taking the big bike, but I think you might be okay on either of the small ones. I personally avoid 2-strokes, so would take the 125, but that's just me.

You don't mention a time frame on your trip, and the only reason to blast through anywhere over 75mph is if you have to be somewhere. Poking around this site you will hear, frequently, slower travel is cheaper travel. If you're willing to rough camp on public lands (something else to look at is a National Parks Pass, $80 and free entry to every National Park. Not only are the parks cool, many also have free camping) you can save even more.

Taking a small bike is going to attract more local attention, make you a lot more friends, and if something breaks (when something breaks) you will have an easier time finding parts.

No, if you have two weeks of vacation and want to get from one coast to the other and back, then you should be looking at the bigger bike.