You guys are lucky to have a TTR specific shop there. USA does not get this bike in street legal form, and dirt versions are now over 25 years old. Inside knowledge is great to have when prepping a RTW bike. Parts and aftermarket support is GREAT too.

I agree with lots of points on the TTR but the DR650 has it's high points too, and it is affordable and available in USA.

Lots depends on nature of your trip (realistically), how much and how technical your off road riding will be and how much luggage you like to carry.

Can you really avoid long highway riding everywhere and stay on small roads or tracks? (answer: No, you can't)

I wonder what the TRUE wet weight of a prepped for RTW TTR is? I was shocked to see how much the WR250R weighs, I expect the TTR is lighter?

Why are modern bikes heavier? Easy answer!
Beefier frames, swing arms, liquid cooling, stronger wheels, bigger forks, stronger sub frames. All this adds weight. (but adds strength and toughness too)

Dry weight for DR650 is 324 lbs. (Wet weight: 368 lbs.) Fully loaded with RTW set up/luggage, 5 gal. fuel, tools, parts, spare tubes, clothes et al: 420 lbs. (190 kg.) Weighed on certified cargo scale.

A well set up DR650 rides a lot lighter than it's actual weight. Suspension upgrades make a BIG difference. But the DR won't match a TTR in deep sand or on a long muddy stretch. TTR wins.

But with a good rider aboard, the DR is actually quite good off road, even a tough road. Single track is OK if not too technical, but won't match a TTR in tough, tight enduro like conditions. Win TTR.

But how often do you encounter such conditions on a RTW ride? Do you go looking for trouble when 5,000 miles from nowhere?

The DR is FANTASTIC riding any paved road ... from tight twisty mountain goat tracks to Super Highways cruising at 75 mph for 10 hours a day ... the DR can do it easily with rider in full comfort. (good seat a MUST!)

DR Long term reliability and longevity is great. Easily good for 65,000
miles with just moderate care, many have done 100K miles on original engine.

Fuel economy the DR loses vs. the TTR or any 250. DR returns only 50 MPG. I have a 230 mile range on my bike. OK, but won't match TTR, WR or CRF250L. 90% of the time, 230 miles is adequate with some pre-planning.

You'll appreciate a 650 once up over 3000 meters. A 250 will wheeze and struggle, a 650 simply carries on. Two up? DR650, no question. Luggage?
Easy on the DR650, a challenge on a little 250.