I've been constantly debating whether I should do a RTW trip on a bike or just buy a truck with a camper shell.

Obviously the bike is a completely different, in your face experience compared to the truck, but...

In terms of money and convenience:

The motorcycle would get FAR better gas mileage and be cheaper to run than the truck, but the truck can always be used to sleep and work in, anywhere, anytime, in any weather condition.

A truck would save you money on lodging and staying in hostels.

Even though hostels can be very cheap depending on the country, you must first go to them (you can just park anywhere in a truck and sleep), they are subject to availability (the truck is always available), and they can get up to $30 a night in some countries (that's like 6 gallons of gas for the truck, per day!). If you're tired on the road from driving, you can just pull over and sleep in the truck. Can't really do that on a motorcycle. And if it's pouring rain or snow, you can still just go into the shell and stay instead of finding lodging or pitching a tent in a downpour.

I'm currently living out of my car in Lake Tahoe and it's free. If I were on a bike, I'd have to find a campground, pay the campground fee, or stay at a hostel or motel between $30-$60 a night.

A motorcycle saves you money because of fuel if you're constantly traveling and moving about, but if you like to stay put in a spot like I do, a truck would be cheaper in the long run.

So I'm basically looking for some input. I still LOVE the idea of riding the world on a motorcycle, but I feel like it could get very inconvenient and expensive at times.

First of all to the HUBB.
I think you have covered most things in your post with the exception of shipping costs, obviously much cheaper with a bike, the alternative is use a truck and take a small motorcycle in the back for 'playtime', I used to enjoy UK-Spain via France in my van with a dirt bike in the back, just the ferry across the channel to sort so it was real easy.
So it depends on where you plan to travel?

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'He who laughs last, was too slow to get the joke'
Never confuse the map with the journey.

Thanks!

Well, I was planning on starting in California, head to the southern tip of South America, ship the bike over to the southern tip of Africa, head north to Europe, east to Asia, India, Vietnam, etc. ship over to Australia, tour AU, and then back to the States.

Some (cheap) vehicle recommendations would be most appreciated

I was also thinking about having a bike as a runabout as well. Would be the best of both worlds I would think, especially if there was a second driver. One could ride the bike while the other drives so each gets a different experience.

Are there non-trailer solutions to mounting a bike like a Super Sherpa to the back of a truck?

The 'truck' also saves on food - as you can buy and store the cheaper larger packets of food (that won't fit on the motorcycle. Also tyres last longer and are actually cheaper per mile. Insurance too can be cheaper.

OK?

Now - why a truck? Why not a 'panel van' ... smaller and lighter and easier to park and ship. And cheaper tyres easier to find.. and more fuel economy... they also are easier to 'hide' when parked overnight.

As for carrying a second vehicle ... bicycles are far cheaper, smaller and easier to carry...

Less is more?

Those who want to travel by motorcycle .. well they simply love motorcycle travel. If you don't have that passion then you have other options.

Yeah, definitely feel you on the food thing. Eating at restaurants, even in 3rd world countries, can add up.

I've thought about the van thing as well, but I'd like to be able to go anywhere on this trip. This means places where I'm afraid a van would get stuck. And if I'm by myself... this could be life threatening.

In fact, that was my primary reason at looking at bikes in the first place. I love riding bikes and I love the fact that they can go practically anywhere. I've got images in my head of parking my vehicle next to a cliff in the middle of the forest miles away from civilization.

Thought about the bicycle as well, and having ridden bikes and ridden motorcycles for long distances, I much prefer the possibilities of a motorcycle, even though I love bicycles.

Rather than a truck think about a small diesel hatchback or estate car. a Citroen c3 has well over 500 mile range and does 60+ mpg the fiat panda diesel having a smaller tank has less range but same mpg. On good roads driven sensibly you could get over 70mpg.

I use an old fiat hatchback and arrange it with a "kitchen" in the boot, clothes and camping gear on the back seat and use the two front seats for me and partner. Works really well. also I often carry 10 or 5 litres spare fuel behind drivers seat.

these small ( up to 1600cc diesel cars are more economical than most bikes especially if you add in the carrying capacity (eg bigger tent). They really do have many advantages.

WILD CAMP!!!! Also try couchsurfer, ADV tent space and the Hubb Communities. Simples...

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www.AdventureVagabond.com Mongolia & Siberia 2012: Adventure Moto Madness

Sorry i'm so late back, hope you will get this.

We have a unimog 1300, which is about as slow and thirsty as an alcoholic sloth.

none the less, we love it, and it suits our travelling style perfectly.

You can see it at Moglander's Travels | The travels of Moglander, and all that sail in her.

Merv.

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