Travelling together, I usually have the most powerful bike carries the heaviest load.
As for travelling with a mismatched power, I usually always put the slowest bike/rider up front - for a heap of reasons that translate into faster, safer, more enjoyable and more reliable long distance travelling - as a group.
As for travelling with vastly different capable bikes. I once was on an African Enduro rally, with my group riding classic Vespas with 12 hp, 10" wheels, no shock travel or ground clearance. We made up for that through vastly better preparedness, planning and tactics. For much of Western Sahara and Mauritania, we had large ATV's and very powerful bikes ending up seeking refuge, guidance and protection from us - as they had kept getting in trouble and needed our help, and found that we had our shit together. Kind of funny, seeing three Vespa riders lead a trail of monster vehicles. Once out of the sticky stuff, with much new aquired wisdom and regained confidence - they took off. So yes, travelling with mis matched rides can be done, but it is frustrating for all. The best tip is to put the slowest up front and have them set the pace, even for rest stoops.
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