I own a ctx and although have not done any long trips I enjoy it tremendously and would buy it again in a heartbeat ! I have done some rough terrain and the gear ratio allows for serious hill climbing, but obviously one needs to be happy at seeing the world at a slow pace... which it seems you are.
although the tank is small it runs for a long time if ridden at a slow pace. a few liters in a fuel cell makes for a big increase in range without adding much bulk.
first choice would be ctx and second ttr.
think trailrider vote for the bike says a lot.
Good to hear

If I go for the CTX I will certainly be carrying extra fuel to extend the range.
I think you'll experience some frustration on the longer roads on the little bike but I also think you'll have time to smell the roses and will have a different, possibly better experience as a result of it.
I think the little bike will be more of an 'adventure'.
I hope so

I'm sure you're right that I may get frustrated on some longer roads but part of me thinks that not having the possibility of the extra speed might be a blessing in disguise for my safety! heh.
I would suggest you try to stay off the main routes, especially if you are going on a small bike. As you might have learned from your other experiences, in the more rural countries it's the bigger vehicles that rule the roads. They simply push you off the road if they want to come past, and if that means pushing you off a cliff, well in Africa that is your problem.
Staying off the main roads, and trying to keep to dirt roads, will lessen this problem, although it might add time to your journey.
If you are going to stay on highways, do not go for anything smaller than a 650, you need something that can easily outrun a big truck doing 120KM/h+.
Sure. Good advice. I don't plan on using highways if I can help it. They are boring and probably a little dangerous for me on a 200. Even in Europe I avoid them when touring. There's more interesting stuff elsewhere.
600cc is not a big bike . Rather a middleweight for me.
Go with whatever your heart decides. 200cc or 600cc will get you there and back.
My heart says 200. Perhaps I will regret that decision in some scenarios but perhaps not in others. As this is my first longer non-euro trip I'm going to start off with something smaller (I think). Having not driven a large 600+cc ADV bike I won't (probably fortunately) have much of a comparison

I have come down here from Europe overland on GSA1150, I have done trip from Europe to India and back on Africa Twin and done smaller trips like Vietnam on the Minsk 150cc, and trips in Southern Africa on Husky 630 and Tenere.
Based on my experiences I would take for trip you are planning something in 650 category - DR650 or XRL650 (if you such a Honda fan) - the only problem to resolve being probably bigger tanks and enforced subframe (I'm sure guys in CT will be able to sort you out) or XT660 (injected and therefore less consumption and it has I believe already stronger subframe than the aluminium on the prior two bikes).
Being from Europe and doing the travels you did in Asia, you have to take into account one key difference - African countries are huge in comparison, and much less populated. What this means is that you may need to cover long distances of mostly going straight and sometimes not that much interesting stuff in-between interesting places to break the boredom into number of days - so you rather do it in one go - think something like USA once you get out of populated areas. Even if you take dirt roads, which SA has fantastic network of, this still applies quite often - the distances between points of interest are huge and the riding can be boring. I have ridden throughout Africa on loads of small tracks, but the main roads, which you seem to be determined to stick to are all tar (quite badly potholed very often) and straight and boring - if you want interesting stuff you need to venture into small tracks.
Another point is road safety - as pointed out by LD - the speed limit on all roads in SA and surrounds is 120kmh - way over what is allowed in Europe (except highways). And the traffic generally moves at that speed and the bigger vehicles obviously rule. On the bike you have only active safety - in this case to be able to bugger off from the cars in the traffic, rather than having them sitting on your ass and overtaking you - the more you can avoid it, the more safe you are. So I would definitely give myself that little more flexibility that more power (which on the bikes I have mentioned is still very modest) will provide compare to the little ones.
And if you hit sand while exploring those interesting tracks, more power is again beneficial as pointed out by other guys.
Sounds like some awesome trips! I drove Royal Enfield Bullet 350's in India, cheap 110cc Honda Wave's in south east asia and Tornado 250's in Peru. Only short trips nothing like your length trips but great riding all the same. Modding a bike is a bit of an issue for me. To be honest its extra hassle that im not very comfortable with sorting out. The bonus of the CTX is that its find for me in its stock state. All the racking I need plus bash plates, kick + electric start etc.. Only issue is the tank size but I will compensate with an extra 5 or 10 litre fuel can.
Road safety is a very good point. You are totally right about being able to power away from trouble. This is something I hope to avoid by keeping off highway's and generally taking my time. Perhaps pulling over if need be to let whatever is up my ass pass. Sand is an issue that i imagine im going to come across at some point. I guess I will just have to take it as it comes and see how I deal with it. If it sucks I will adjust my journey to compensate for the sand. Same goes for highways etc.. I can always change my route to compensate.
Thanks for your insight. Its very much appreciated. Definetely food for thought

I think it is simple really, if you have lots of time and don't need to do high mileage days, then small bike. If you have some long days planned, then a big bike.
I do feel perhaps I need to bite the bullet and just throw down some money and but a bike soon. Unfortunately the CTX in Cape Town Honda was sold but the guy said he can have a new one sent from Joburg in a couple of days no problem.
Can be done on a 200.
I would seriously consider the Suzuki DR200SE which IMHO is by far the best (DS / Touring bike) of the agri 200's over the Bushlander and the TW.
Also consider the Djebel 250 (second hand) if you can get one.
Interesting, Thanks! Will have a gander at those too
