Hello all!
I am going from Norway to Oz in 2007. I thought of taking my R80GS and posted a thread in the BMW forum regarding expected problems.
Got many good replies!
Well here it is: In order to get the BMW prepped I would need 1000-1500 Euro`s.
(driveshaft, alternator, shock etc,)

For this money I can get an XT350. I have an almost new engine lying around, less than 5000kms in it, so it should last the whole trip without problems (hopefully). The advantage with this setup is lightweight (I can go on offroad tracks), low cost (if stolen; who cares).

I already have an XT500. It`s old and stripped for motocross, so no lights etc.
I can have this baby up running for 500-800 Euros. I know these engines well (done 185kkms on an SR500) and they are
up for the task.

The R80GS; it`s comfy, powerful enough, shaft (a big plus). It is twice the weight of the above so no serious offroading. But I would be doing most paved roads anyway!
I am however getting serious doubts about it`s reliabilty.

I am pretty tired of fixing bikes and primary concern is reliabilty, and don`t want to worry thinking "when is this or that going to break".

So what to take? The route is Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia.

Nice to get some imput! Much easier when I was younger, only had one bike, took it everywhere.

regards

John