I rode the Northern Route, plus the Khotgor Trackt solo in October 2011. It was dry with low water levels. If there'd been rain a number of spots would have been quite difficult. My only issues were a blown rear shock (starting about Lake Karakul in Kyrgyzstan and a wee little battery (Shorai lithium failed in UZ).

I'm no threat to the memory of Roger DeCoster but do ride an EXC 530 in horrendously technical areas of the Sierra in CA and have mountain biked a lot on very technical terrain.

The issues are just competence. It's not a 2-hour moto. It's 1600km and long stretches require concentration. A tired or distracted rider is simply just less than themselves, in all things, including judgement.

Balancing skills, fitness, rest and concentration (or the ability to do so) is what these long "off-piste" rides are about.

I met a couple on a 90's boxer with marginal tires that had done the Southern Route. It's not a horrible option if you're just gassed or your bike's a bit beat. In UB I saw not a few "wrecks" that had come just a part of the northern route and one of those was an overloaded V-Strom. It wouldn't be my first choice, not the least because it wouldn't be fun, even in great conditions.

The big Katoom was a hoot ! And it IS a holiday - have some fun.

As for the K60 - incredible mileage. Lightly loaded KTM ADV 950 with 100kg rider from Frankfurt to UB via the Stans and plenty of side runs "off-piste" - 18,000km and still and 1/8" from the wear bar. Not great in mud but anything that is won't give the necessary mileage.

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