Budget for South American Adventure

[Bug7]

Ok, ok, I know that this is a tired topic and a subjective one as well. But please hear me out. I have a couple of plans for an adventure down south and want more opinions and thoughts that are specific to me and my journey than others.

About me:
I live in Portland, Oregon, am 24 years old and ride a 2009 G650GS (same as the F650GS single - new letter, black engine).

My Goal:
Experience the lands via motorbike, learn the language via immersion, and live a little

Route Ideas/Plans:
1) Ride from Portland, South America and back (6-12 months of living).
2) Ride from Portland to TDF and ship myself/bike home
3) Ship myself/bike to Argentina, ride to TDF back home

Thoughts about the journey:
The first plan is the ideal plan. The thoughts behind it would be for me to drive down to Argentina, the girl friend would fly down and we'd ride either 2 up home, or if we had a second bike by that time she'd ride it home. (2up would most likely consist of me riding a larger bike instead of the 650. Although we love to ride 2up on the 650 now, i'm just thinking about the weight of luggage and 2 bodies for that distance).

If we did either plan 2 or 3 we could both do it together 2up or 2 bikes. Its a time to debt ratio for the girl friend. She went to much more expensive school thus has much higher student loans to pay.

Thoughts about budgetting:
The plan is not to live a life of luxury. I like to camp and pay little for accommodation. Camping may not be an option all the time but I would look into Couchsurfing.org and cheap hotel stays when needed. I take Grant and Susan's words about riding slower/less miles a day and staying longer to heart. Most because the goal is not to mile munch and accomplish the route but more to live the life.

I've heard many many many many different ideas about the costs per day. It's been anywhere from $10 - $100 a day. This is where is becomes more subjective.

Questions/Comments:
Is it crazy to think 6000 is enough for 6 months? My heros Simon and Lisa Thomas (2 Ride the World) spent a year and a half in Latin America - 6 months in Brazil... although I'm not planning on riding the most dangerous "road" in the world and don't plan on breaking my neck in a place where I'd have to ride another 3 weeks just to seek medical attention. When I met them at BMWOR Tigard at one of their last presentations before they headed off to Japan, I forgot to ask them about costs or things like that - also wasn't sure if its considered rude at all.

Doug (Wrong Way Round.. on a Chopper) said in the Horizons Unlimited DVD that he spent $12,000 for 5 months of RTW travel... half of that was shipping him and his bike over the 2 oceans that he crossed.

Chris and Erin (ultimatejourney.com) averaged $57 a day for 4.5 years around the world.

Please comment, I sincerely take everyone's thoughts, ideas, concerns, issues to heart and appreciate everyone in this world of adventure travel.

Thanks,
Sean (Bug7)