Welcome!
Sounds like you've dug in and done your homework!
I think you picked one of the best bikes for the job. I put 90K miles on my DL1000, never missed a beat.

The DL650 is lighter, more manageable when loaded. Keep reading Strom
Trooper ... lots to learn regards basic care and maintenance.
It's a simple, reliable bike. Nearly NO maintenance really. Take care of tires and chain and sprockets. Change front sprocket at around 10K miles. This will extend chain life by a BUNCH. The stock chain is not great ... only good for about 15K or so. Don't start trip with a nearly worn out chain. Get a NEW
DID QUALITY X Ring chain and NEW sprockets. I normally got 25K miles out of a DID X Ring chain (VM2) Once you chain begins to stretch and need adjustment everyday ... your chain is DONE and you could be in trouble if you don't deal with it. Rivet link only when you replace it.

Glad to see you researched charities. Many waste donations on operations. Hopefully, someday you'll be able to visit some of the countries in person ... and see where your money goes. I've worked for several NGO's around the world, saw them in action, in person. (S. America, Asia, Africa) Some good, most NOT so good.

I like the BARF owner Bud, but don't visit the site much. Not much dual sport or travel focus there. Mostly sport bike guys and "racers", but overall a good group, friendlier than ADV Rider and local to Bay Area is a big plus.

Some of the ride reports on ADV Rider are good (if you have a lifetime to devote to their study) I don't. I have a couple favs I follow. (Most are crap, not worth the time, IMO).

Very few ride reports here on HUBB ...good to see you posting yours here. HUBB needs it!

I'm surprised the BARF guys classified your ride as "extreme" or "risky" and can't believe anyone would discourage you. Do they think riding a motorcycle is rocket science? A ride across the USA is Cake. You have support nearly everywhere you go and are rarely even out of Cell range and NEVER out of GPS or SPOT coverage. There are roads everywhere with thousands of great options for exploration.

I think you underestimate how much your very early dirt riding experience helped you. Dirt riding crosses over nicely to street riding. With time and miles your confidence riding your DL will improve, skills will get better too. Practice what you learned in MSF ... especially braking and avoidance. (so many just lock up, target fixate and run straight into what they are trying to avoid! ) BRAKE, then steer around the obstruction.

VStrom in high wind.
This is a very common issue with this bike. (one of very few problems with the bike actually) LOTS of info on it. What I did to help was to RAISE the fork tubes UP in the triple clamps about 1/2", then CRANK UP the rear shock pre-load by an additional 30%. This reduced wind sensitivity by about 30% on
DL1000 ... and buddies claim it helps on the 650 too.

When in high cross winds ... relax your grip on bars, use you legs as sort of
"outriggers sails" to help stabilize/steer the bike. Other than that, let the bike wander around and relax. After a month or two ... you'll get better at managing sharp cross wind gusts. (Deserts are the worst for sudden gusts)

Not sure what the point of going all the way East is ... IMO, all the good riding and sites are out West. Once East of Colorado, this country is pretty pathetic for motorcycle touring. Parts of the South are good but the Northeast, to me, is a pit.

I would focus on CA, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon and Washington .. and don't forget parts of British Colombia. Save the Yukon for another tour. That's a year of travel if you really dig in and explore all there is to see. Maybe two years.
I've crossed the country 3 times on a bike ... and dreaded it once out East.
The West is your Oyster. Enjoy!


Vstrom in Copper Canyon, Mexico

Vstrom in Baja in 2003