Did it on a highly modified XR650R. Same bike already had 1000's of KM riding very technical dual sporting and dirt biking here, and 4000KM of Baja riding from February. Till this day it hasn't skipped a beat.
You can read about those two rides on the following two links:
Baja: Dirt Donkey's Do Baja - 2011 (Feb 14-March 2nd) - ADVrider
Trip starting in Moab: Go, Get Lost Trip - 2011 - Heading South - ADVrider
Last leg on the CDT: Eat. Sleep. Ride. - The Great Divide - ADVrider
I highly suggest people do a trip like this. It really changes the way you think and can be done for cheap if you don't mind not having the "wants" of N.A. I camped 30-40% of the time, and the rest was either in ultra cheap hotels or hostel's. Total cost per month, gas and food included was around 600$. Probably around 800ish considering tires, oil changes, and wear items.
I don't have a wife, kids, or dependants (other than my dog) so I could do it quite easily. I rented my house for 6 months not a nice older couple waiting on their new house to be built.
If all works out, in a few years I'll be doing it again in South America.
