Hi guys, so I'm brand spanking new to the forum and I want to say hi and hopefully get some advice.
My dog Gizmo and I love to get on the bike (currently a '00 Varadero XL1000 but very soon to be upgraded, I'll be asking advice about that also) and get some miles in.
I am planning on a national tour of Ireland, my home country, by conquering all 32 counties in 32 days for myself and Gizmo, hopefully starting July 1st and finishing August 2nd. The idea is to raise money and awareness for my favourite charity Dogs Trust, an organisation that provides amazing services for dogs in Ireland and the UK.
Right now, I'm looking for any kind of advice I can get to help me prepare for this trip. I've a rough estimate on the cost of this trip for things like food, fuel, accommodation... But is there anything else I need to be thinking of.
I won't have any issues crossing the border from Rep. Of Ireland to Northern Ireland, I know that much, plus it's a first world country so I don't really have to worry about going off-road unless I want to.
Now, like I said, I have a Honda Varadero XL1000 (sd01, 5speed carb) with just over 50k miles on it. I'm replacing that bike with something much newer in the coming weeks and I'd like some advice on that decision.
I know many of you will recommend BMW GS's and Africa Twins but a) I don't really like BMW, in fact I have a few that I'm torn between and b) I do like KTM and Africa Twins but I have a limited budget so I'm trying to be clever there.
I'm currently deciding between the Honda Crosstourer 1200 and the Kawasaki Versys 1000 GT, both 2017 models. I know the Honda is a shaft drive over the Kawasaki's chain drive and it's got a bigger engine, but I much prefer the look and design of the Versys plus the bike is far more updated with better tech and I'm not really planning on much, if any, real off-roading. I've also considered the late model V-Strom 1000 too but I'm leaning more towards the other 2.
So, can you guys offer any advice to myself and Gizmo before we set out on our first journey of a lifetime?

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Hi Rich and Gizmo - welcome.
I haven’t owned any of those bikes so can’t offer an opinion on their particular pros and cons but I will say this.
Test ride the various models - there’ll be a big difference between a 21” front wheel Africa Twin and the 17” Versys.
For me riding a motorcycle is an emotional experience so I put a lot of store in how a bike looks. I can forgive foibles and get over problems with any bike if it makes my heart sing every time I look at it.