I'm with DouglasJ. I traveled around the world for 3 years in total, in part with my best friend of +25 years. We rode together for 4 months in 2006, for about 7 months in 2012/13 and now we don't talk to each other anymore. After +25 years, you think you'd know someone, but you really get that knowledge only when you spend time with people day in day out. The biggest reason I'll never travel with another male is that you isolate yourself from the world, you turn inwards and have s / dinner together. It's really about traveling solo and being open to the world. I think with a woman that might be doable as you're more approachable. Still, being solo on a bike will give you a perspective you will never reach with another person. All my best traveling has been done solo. Often you will meet people, all the time actually, when traveling solo. It's my preferred way now.

One thing to remember as to differences in m/c travel.... When you backpack, you use public transit, stay in small lodges and generally follow a transit/hostel route many others follow. You will meet a lot more people (tourists) backpacking than riding. Your modes of transportation are the same. On a bike, you are not taking transit, your transport times are different that others and your hostel/hotel needs are going to include some parking facility or option. All considerations others don't have or need to make. So don't compare traveling on a bike to regular travel. You will meet a lot fewer tourists and lot more local people. And because of your mode of transit and non-standard hotel locations, you will have a vastly different and often better connection with people. Parking a beat up R80G/S in Asia or the Middle East is like parking a F1 car in a Western playground with 16 year old bots. How fast? How big is the engine? Where do you live? How much does it cost? Do you want some tea? Come stay at my house! Oh no! Not on the street, park it in the lobby!!

On the other hand, if you are out in the bush somewhere or in a small village in Pakistan, you will get 10 or so invites for tea, dinner etc. I don't think I was ever able to get gas in Pakistan without being offered tea.

Go solo, and people won't see you as a threat and be much more welcoming. The only places I ever felt unsafe were Honduras and Turkey.

But most importantly of all, go. Your life will be better for it in ways you cannot imagine.

Kevin

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