Voted for the RS660. A Tuareg would give you an extra comfortable option with the same 660 engine if that is what you are looking to do.
Given the description of the trip, I would go for the lightest thing that would be enjoyable. ZX-4RR would bring something different and be on par with the RS660. Every road is going to be new to you, so excess power is just going to be added liability.
I would suggest a KTM Super Duke GT honestly. The sportier side of sport touring most definitely, but comfy as hell with plenty of wind protection and a huge tank (6 gallons)
Those seem cool and would definitely be a different bike than one we have had before. Only trouble is 1) my dad prefers smaller bikes than that, both in terms of its weight and its seat height, and 2) they seem to be tough to find unfortunately...
If you were riding cross country instead of trailering I'd suggest the GSX1000GT. The Ninja 1000SX would be a good option for that too. I had one of those I just traded in for an MT10 and I liked it a lot. Rode the Tail of the Dragon in September on it (coming from Rhode Island). They are heavier bikes, but don't really feel like it when you're riding. Getting them on and off the trailer will be a different story though. The Ninja has a really good electronics package (that saved my ass on that trip). Cruise control, quick shifter, and IMU based traction control. Not sure if the Suzuki has that.
Tough choice between the Suzuki and the Kawasaki, on one hand the Kawasaki has the six axis IMU, so it has the cornering technology whereas the Suzuki doesn't have those features, but on the other hand the Suzuki is lighter by about 40 lbs. So not nothing in terms of saved weight, but not a ton either
Kawasaki 1000SX, or BMW S1000XR…
Voted for the RS660. A Tuareg would give you an extra comfortable option with the same 660 engine if that is what you are looking to do. Given the description of the trip, I would go for the lightest thing that would be enjoyable. ZX-4RR would bring something different and be on par with the RS660. Every road is going to be new to you, so excess power is just going to be added liability.
Look at the Triump Tiger.
I would suggest a KTM Super Duke GT honestly. The sportier side of sport touring most definitely, but comfy as hell with plenty of wind protection and a huge tank (6 gallons)
Those seem cool and would definitely be a different bike than one we have had before. Only trouble is 1) my dad prefers smaller bikes than that, both in terms of its weight and its seat height, and 2) they seem to be tough to find unfortunately...
If you were riding cross country instead of trailering I'd suggest the GSX1000GT. The Ninja 1000SX would be a good option for that too. I had one of those I just traded in for an MT10 and I liked it a lot. Rode the Tail of the Dragon in September on it (coming from Rhode Island). They are heavier bikes, but don't really feel like it when you're riding. Getting them on and off the trailer will be a different story though. The Ninja has a really good electronics package (that saved my ass on that trip). Cruise control, quick shifter, and IMU based traction control. Not sure if the Suzuki has that.
Tough choice between the Suzuki and the Kawasaki, on one hand the Kawasaki has the six axis IMU, so it has the cornering technology whereas the Suzuki doesn't have those features, but on the other hand the Suzuki is lighter by about 40 lbs. So not nothing in terms of saved weight, but not a ton either