Most of heat I can say has already been said, but I did this trip a couple of years ago. Altitude is a bitch and well worth preparing for by acclimatising. Fit people get struck with altitude as much as the unfit. Bikes with carburettors more so than people, so be prepared to take your time and go up in stages. Waking in the night, feeling like death is not usual but by the time its time to leave you won't notice it at all. You tend to ascend quickly by motorcycle so a few days in a high up town is best before hitting the high passes.

Money is easy. Take funds/Euro/dollars in large notes (honestly they prefer to change a 50 than a 10 and you can pay for almost anything and receive the change in local currency.

Basic guesthouses and homestays seem to be every where through the Stans. Usually for not much money you get a place to stay, dinner and breakfast and off you go.

We camped at Camp Lenin that was above 3000 meters and overlooked by the Pamir mountains. It was a cold and shit night but the views incredible and were woken by the brightest view or the Milky Way you have ever seen and the smell and sound of Yaks eating and snorting by the tent. I thought it was the snorers in the next tent but not......

The no mans land border crossing between Kyrghistan and Tadjihistan is quite and experience. A great off road road. Broken Brides no tarmac and a weirdness that you can't believe including RTW cyclists.......

We did the route by flying into and out of Osh!

Bests

Mike