Hi all,

I have been hitting the same question for a long time now and still seeking for advice. I am currently re-thinking what bike I should get for a trip from Europe, through central Asia, Mongolia and then Siberia. Potentially going even further (Japan, etc...). Note that I would like to keep the bike for going "anywhere" after that trip (South america, etc...)

After a first analysis, I think the following criteria are important for me:
- reliability
- fuel injected
- a decent confort/power for the open road touring and long days of riding
- a good dual-purpose bike that can handle trails
- ABS would be a plus
- A bike I like to have fun!
- etc...

I see that people going through his road have lots of different choices, going from R12GSA to DRZ400.
Having ridden BMWs for years, i am quite comfy with those bikes.

My latest retained possibilities would be:

1. F650GS Dakar
+ reliable
+ confortable
+ low consumption
+ easy to "adventurize"
+ 21' front wheel
+ not too high seat (I'm 5'8)
+ ABS
- monocylinder

2. F800GS
+ more power
+ 21' front wheel
+ ABS
- comfort?
- what is the reliability on those bikes compared to a Dakar , is it a frequent choice for this type of trip? How many people REALLY had problems travelling on that bike?
- too heavy?

3. R1200GSA
+ power
+/- shaft drive (advantage or risk?)
+ ABS
+ comfort
- reliability
- expensive (but less money to be spent on adventurizing the bike and high resale price)
- heavy! (but is it that heavy compared to F800GS once fully equiped?)

4. KTM? which model, what is the reliability of the brand?

I know this question has been asked a 100 times, but still haven't found my own answer. Any advice on the bikes listed here?

Cheers,

Kickaha