Perun said:Is the Suzuki also easily repairable for a layman?
I also just checked some pics... it looks more like a sports bike, I was told that could get a bit straining on the wrists over time...
It actually has a pretty good seating position (for comparison, look at a GSX-R600)... however, if you are wanting something that is simpler, the DR650 would work pretty well...even more relaxed. As far as repair goes-- it wouldn't be any harder or easier to fix than anything else. The advantage is that it will be less prone to needing fixed than something like the Harley, BMW, or KTM (some of those brands rock, but are somewhat tempermental). Most of the things you will be doing are chain adjustment, tire pressure, oil changes-- those are realitively easy. When it gets to tire/tube changes, and the like, a dealer makes it lots easier. The thing about lots of these cross continental trips is that they require you to have some basic repair knowledge.... honestly, as awesome as it sounds, its not the best thing for a beginner to do; but, that does depend on if you are driving paved roads between towns, or if you are out in the middle of the desert... you don't want to get stuck out somewhere with no fuel (look into over sized tanks or extra tanks for that purpose)
That's one thing I'm going to have to check out in detail. I'm not sure how to pay for all that yet, but there are possibilities that I might get some good cash within the next couple of years.
Well, good luck with that!!!
There is probably some sort of EU motorcyclist organization that should/could have some pretty good info on traveling cross country. Also, Rider magazine will sometimes have a good article about that as well. There was also a guy named Jerry Smith that wrote a book about that-- I think he traveled across Asia and Africa on bike... rafting the bike across rivers and the like.