Motorcycle question? Travelling the globe on a Motorcycle? Which bike and why that particular bike?

I would say a shafter like beemer, although if the shaft breaks it's hard to get and fix a replacement. Belt drives like Harleys are even worse, you need serious kit just to get the back wheel off to fix punctures. Get a chain drive 850 or so. Buy a.service manual and make sure you know how to do certain things like tightening the chain, changing the oil and so on.

BMW. Super reliable, great brakes, light weight.

VFR800 is the best bike for your needs.

Honda is probably everywhere in the world. Don't get big or the latest model. Like a 6 cylinder. 1500cc.

. So maybe 5 years old and about 500cc.or so.  You are not out to impress the people you pass by for a second.  You want to go a far distance on minimal fuel. BMW bike shops are hard to find in some towns in N.A.,so that is going to be the same story worldwide.

Personally a bike is not the way I would go cuz it RAINS & gets windy and cold...and you can't sleep in your bike while Lions roam outside with the elephants...and vultures.

.   Maybe you got to buy a few bikes...like the common bike for that region?  Drive it through the region and trade it in for a bike with say square wheels because that is the common vehicle there.

But am thinking Honda has been everywhere. Harley and Beemers not so much.  Read a few motorcycle magazines to read about others who have done the same thing.

Craig,! I expect BMW to be most reliable , have good luck with everything please,

Read Jupiter's Travels,by Ted Simon.

A Honda C90/C125 Super Cub if you want to see the world, no worries about getting parts or a mechanic, if it dies just replace it (it won't die). If you want to cross continents at speed get a BMW GS.

Royal Enfield made in India.

Try to stay away from Antarctica, fuel stations and Service Centers are sparse.

Watch 'Long Way Around', it shows some of the small hardships to be aware of depending on how you wish to travel. Fun Series!.

A few years ago did a New Zealand motorcycle tour for three months on a Suzuki V-Strom 650 (wish I'd chosen the 1000) and it did most everything I wanted. Good sized fuel tank, easy V-twin engine/suspension that can do a bit of off-roading and is fine on the highway.

You need to state the type of riding you wish to do- cruirsing the highway or a mix of on-road/off road.

Depends.

Are you a new rider?

Are you comfortable with a heavy bike?

Are you good at packing light?

Will you be camping?

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What I felt was perfect was my little Suzuki LS650. Had a bracket on a suitcase to slip on the sissybar.

Had tools and stuff in the saddlebags, and tent/sleeping bag if I needed it.