I don't think there's any one answer that works for everyone. I don't ride my motorcycle nearly as much as I did say 15 years ago; for trips of more than an hour I usually take the car. My shoulders and joints are getting creaky and don't take the punishment like they used to, and I've done enough slogging down the highway in cold wet weather to last me a lifetime.
On the other hand, when the weather is good and the road is curvy, nothing beats the fun of a motorcycle. And I would think for a RTW trip, shipping a motorcycle from continent to continent has to be cheaper and less hassle.
One other comment - the claim that a motorcycle is going to be expensive for parts and maintenance. Mmmm.... depends a LOT on the brand and type of motorcycle. If you strip the splines on a BMW's drive shaft in the middle of the desert, that's going to be pricey. On the other hand, if you look at some of the trip reports of guys riding around the world on the likes of a Honda Cub or a YBR125, they are spending just pennies per mile on maintenance and fuel. Now, mind you, they aren't as fast and can't carry nearly as much gear, but it's a question of what the traveller needs vs wants.
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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250
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