Originally Posted by farqhuar

The wing is definitely the way to go simply beause of its lower height. I test-rode a friends 'fully schmick' GS11 yesterday, fully intending to purchase it, but that up in the air feeling is just weird.

I know what you mean about the thumper attitude too OWB - strangely enough I didn't notice this trait on GS12s that I have ridden in the past.

I ride a Burgman 650 - what many regard as a mini-Burgman. It gets me everywhere including outback Australian desert tracks and the pot hold ruts of Rusia and Kazakhstan.

Most importantly it shares many of the features I admire in the Wing - excellent wind protection with that big barn door fairing, nice smooth comfort that allows you to trickle down to low speed for the ruts and corrugations or sit on extended high speeds for freeways, Japanese reliability and build quality, protection from engine heat on hot days because of all that bodywork between you and the motor.


So many riders make the mistake of thinking you need an offroad capable bike for RTW. The reality is that 90+% of your riding will be on bitumen/aspahalt so get a bike that is made for that environment. Any bike, and I really mean any bike, can handle the remaining 10% of travel offroad (of which a further 90% is gravel anyway) providing you are prepared to take it a bit easier in the really rough stuff.