Searching for a Motorcycle to Explore Southeast Asia

[airbornebaby]

I really enjoy this site and all of your posts. I've been reading through them the past weeks trying to find the best motorcycle for the job. I could sure use your wisdom as I'm not making much headway in making a decision. I've ridden bikes in different parts of the world from West Papua to Europe and North America on sport and street bikes. I need a dual sport now for this adventure. I'm planning an indefinite motorcycle trip that will take me solo through Southeast Asia through Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia with my base being in Thailand. As an overseas contract pilot I've been living, working and riding motorcycles in some of the most remote and dangerous places on the planet so I am very well aware of the risks especially solo. I live for this stuff. 90% of the riding will be on paved and decent roads with 10% on some of the worst such as in Cambodia. I'm willing to accept limiting my travels in Cambodia if needed. I need a bike that can handle full side and vertical luggage, 1 female passenger and my 190 lb butt on there for long treks. I would keep it to decent roads when two up. My budget is 9K or less ideally 5-8 new. Ideally the bike wouldn't be huge as breaking down means lifting it into a pickup nor too high profile to minimize attention for security and theft reasons. I realize those two points are most likely unavoidable. At this time my top choice is the Suzuki DR650 but looks like it won't take kindly to full load + pax nor the KLR650 thanks to your posts. I'm curious to the DL650 or perhaps even the Versys. I'm willing to minimize the traveling in Cambodia. Any suggestions on possible bikes for the job? Ideally new but will consider older too. I would appreciate any help as this is a mind bender for someone who's used to riding sportbikes. You can check out my travels at A Site on Aviation, Motorcycle and Adventure Travel. I'm a Canadian from Toronto. Thanks for the great posts. Ride Safe! Ian