i agree with the others, read ted simons book to get a feel of what rtw was like back in the day. mondo enduro and terra circa also gives you a real feel of doing the rtw thing on a budget without the support of a film crew and sponsered bikes and tools ect. As i understand from lois' page the dr350s still going strone. proof itself any bike can do it. i agree why would you need a full set of snap on tools, for a start thats a hell of a lot of dough and weight to be lugging around. and if the abs fails, deal with it or ride without it. my dr and xt dont have it!! neither do a lot of bikes.

TLWR has inspired lots who before the program would never have even considered such adventures, so lets not knock the boys too much. as for sergi on that 2 smoke, just goes to show you dont need a 7grand bike!!

IMO "just do it" i am as soon as the long task of planning and bike prep is finished, Africa first then well see where my 2 wheels and legs take me next.
Ignore all who say it cant be done and those who boo hoo your plans.
One mate of mine said " what if your chain breaks in the middle of the sahara. what would you do then?"
Simple, you fix it. the same as any other problems, you deal with them, you have no other choice unless you consider giving up as an option and thats never the case.
Read the books, talk to people and watch the vids. soon you realise that there are quite a few of us like minded 2 wheel travelers out there and even more people who are willing to help you out and offer advise mostly for free, or a few s.

PS. i reserve the right to change my opionions when i am on my 10th puncture of the day and my chain breaks in the middle of the sahara for the 3rd time and i have no spare joining links or patches left!!!