The 2 up Choice

[jimhazelwood]

My wife and I are looking at a semi Round The World trip in the next year or two. (North & South America, southern Africa up to Kenya/Ethipopia, then Europe including Turkey and Eastern europe) She has no interest in riding her own bike, so we would be 2 up. I'm starting the research on which bike to get, so we can spend a year or so with it here in the states getting comfortable with it. The trip would be mostly pavement, but some packed dirt/gravel roads, but you know we'll face some dirt, we are just not setting out to a major sahara sand ride. I'm a tall guy 6'7" 230 lbs, she's 5'4" 120.

The choices seem to be coming down to
BMS 1200 GS
KTM Adventure 990
Suzuki V Strom 1000
Yamaha Super Tenere
Triumph 1200

I've yet to sit on the Tenere or the Triumph. So far the BMW is the most comfortable, but I think with After market seats the KTM or V Strom would be good. The V storm seems the cheapest.

I think I'd prefer to buy something that is in the 2004-2009 range, if for no other reason the savings in the purchase price. I'm a intermediate skill level on the mechanic stuff, but I'm learning more and more.

In the end, I know it will come down to my/our own preference, and any bike we choose will work. But, I wanted your thoughts. Comfort and reliability would be our two highest priorities,and of course cost is in there too.

Thanks in advance.