OldBMW,you misread the original post- he wants a bike, not some shit box cage.

Wot he said- get the biggest most spacious bike you think you can handle in the anticipated conditions. You will have to plan carefully to avoid heavy going two up and some places or routes will be inaccesible to you, but that's just the way it is two up.

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Thanks for the answers. Biggest baddest for this kind of trips would be the 950 Adventure SE, but the I need to improve the rage on it.
Now I'm toying with the idea of keeping the XT for 2up and getting the 690 just for me
I'll keep reading, searching and welcoming suggestions, maybe I can make up my mind before the end of August HUB meeting in Montenegro.

Sometimes it is worth thinking outside the box. I enjoy bike+camping when alone, but two up is less pleasant. Two in a car is much more comfy and practical. But then my objective is to enjoy the journey irrespective of the transport. This also affects my choice of ferry/tunnel/bridge and aircraft or trains. Trains can in fact be quicker and a lot more comfy than flying.

Buy two bikes

xfiltrate

If I wanted comfy and practical I wouldn't even own a bike.

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In many ways and in many situations I find a bike MORE practical ... when put up against alternate forms of transport. In the early 70's I traveled all over Mexico and Central America in a VW Camper Bus. Worked out well most times, but there ARE drawbacks. In mid 70's I took off and used public buses and trains, making it all the way to Tierra Del Fuego, spending over a year on the road. 3 more sojourns into S. America would follow in next few years.

Interspersed during those years I was able to travel by bike here and there ... loved it. Back then I could not see doing a really long trip by bike. I finally learned how and left the illusional security of a 4 wheel box.

Many Hubbers here have strong opinions about Bus travel ... IMO, going by bike is preferable most times.

For all it's plush conveniences, 4 wheels have down sides. Ever try shipping a car? $$$$$$ Carnet? $$$$$ stuck in bad traffic ... for hours? Parking? Break down, getting towed?$$$$ Break in? Finding a safe place to leave your car/camper/van? All are challenges. Sometimes easy, sometimes hard. Some of these same things are faced on a bike, but often they can be easier to deal with.

On a couple trips I took my Honda 50 Cub (step through) on the camper bumper and once settled somewhere, we used Honda day to day and left the camper parked. Worked great in Guatemala where I lived ON - OFF for 2 years.

I'm totally comfortable on my bike. I can ride it ALL DAY, day after day. Once your bike is set up right, riding becomes sort of addictive. But best advised to take periodic breaks and observe "real world" interactions as you move along. Too long on the bike solo ... you may begin yammering on non stop to yourself in your helmet. (been there, done that one)

Riders get miserable because they often continue to ride when they should not.
Constant Rain? Take a break. Freezing cold? Same. Too HOT? Ride somewhere cool ... even if this means riding in middle of the night to get there.

I would never go back to a camper or motor home. Only would use a 4 wheeler econo-box as a temp situation where a bike is impossible. Most times a bike has the advantage.

Wives, girlfriends, kids often are used to justify going by big camper vs. Bike. OK, fine. But, last I checked women can ride pretty well ... if given the chance! Kids are another issue. No advice there.

To sum up, I find my bike totally comfortable ... and very practical as well. Practice helps.


Headed to Baja ... 1988.


10 years later still up to the same nonsense ... Copper Canyon on KLR Press bike, 1998. We saw not even ONE OTHER bike there. A few years later it would be jammed with bikes.