Thought I'd give this a bit of an update few years on I ended up getting rid of the Bonnie my dad didn't quite get on with it when I let him have a few goes which was good as its opened his eyes to travel riding which is something he hadn't considered.

I ended up picking a Vstrom 650XT up last year when the used bike prices in the UK went mad I sold the Bonnie for exactly what I'd paid n when it calmed down picked the Vstrom up which has been truly epic for my UK road riding adventures and would be pretty good I think for Norway. I did a 600 Mile day to Scotland an back 68.5 mpg worked out from receipts.
What I think about the VStrom so far.

https://youtu.be/2Pjmr6WRoOQ
https://youtu.be/jr7D-uGZuCY

It's such a beautifully balanced bike super smooth fueling etc but I've not had it off road yet. After watching rtw pauls videos on Iceland it's set me off again thinking about lightweight easy to manage bikes.
Including reading Chris Scott's latest posts on his website.
To top if off as well dad n I are doing a house move to either Devon or Scotland with the plan of doing some trips together abroad which is super exciting. So I'm gonna sell my blade n his gsxr n look at some lightweight adv bikes.

With the plan of doing Iceland and Norway + Denmark next year over a couple of months n hopefully after that some trips more further afield and longer duration.

I've been running through the bike options.

Keep the Weestrom n get dad one but that could be limiting for the F Roads n river crossings.

701/690 is out from a cost point of view to get two bikes an prep.

Which leads me back to a euro 4 himalayan but the stalling issues I keep reading about n seeing on videos with the relays bother me but I'm not sure if that's just a euro 5 issue. Then they are heavier n less power than a DR650 but maybe I'm missing the point a bit as they seem well received the seat height is a huge benefit for dad as he has a much smaller inseam than me.

300 Rally is my dads favourite currently once they are available with rally raid suspension m Mosko Reckless 80 maybe + crash bars and a skid plate.

From the perspective of it coming with a larger tank comfier seat and screen etc.

300L is one I keep thinking of but then it's it's a weigh up
Between the cost of adding some comfort + fuel range but they seem like they would take the drop better than the Rally but I'm unsure on that been interesting watching Noraly as there's hardly any available for even a test ride in the UK let alone buying one currently.

N other options I'm not sure on a DR650 crossed my mind but those seem nigh on impossible to get in Europe lots to think about.

N a post is worthless without pics so here's one of a rally I managed to get a sit on when we first started thinking of Hondas again.

What would the more experienced do? anyone done Iceland on a Strom?

Anyone managed to get a leg over the 300L and Rally and compare them?

I've done New Zealand on a V-Strom - it's an absolutely excellent long-distance and all-around bike. With some more aggressive tires, I am sure it will handle Iceland's gravel roads just fine. And hey, the default answer to "what bike should I take on the trip?" is always "the one you have right now, it'll be fine".

Thanks really appreciate you taking the time to comment that's good to know I'll have to look into some crash bars n a skid plate on the strom as I'm hoping to hold onto it even if I do get another lighter bike. Least I could go explore some local lanes then to once shoulder is better.

My initial plan was to use the Strom but with needing a bike for dad to + tents n luggage etc thought it was a good idea to look at what's out n it's nice to experience new things.

Check out https://youtu.be/WhW7EhjZNOo

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Thanks Declan just been working my way through nathan milwards vids on the 300 rally well worth a watch

I have an older (2008) 650 Vstrom. It does indeed "handle" gravel roads, but it's not particularly fun doing so. For me, that's the key distinction between Vstrom and a lighter, narrower, longer-suspension bike regardless of tires. On the Vstrom when I hit a rough section my response ranges from "uh oh..." to unprintable; on a proper dual sport--even my trusty KLR--I'm usually grinning and aiming for the potholes. More or less.

The Vstrom is far more comfortable on pavement, carries baggage better, and is much appreciated by passengers. The perfect travel bike doesn't exist, and probably never will.

Thanks Mark really appreciate the reply and finding the best compromise I've got alot to learn as my riding develops away from on road adventures.

Really appreciate the insight which confirms what I was thinking rather than spending on crash bars skid pan tyres etc I'd probably be best sticking that into two more capable bikes rather than bringing the Strom in. I remember taking my 1200GSA off road thinking hey this adv lark is ok then the gravel road turned into track up round a bend the width of the bike and was a nightmare to then get it back down haha!