Hi guys, as I've only ridden a touring bike, I could use your advice.  I'm 6'3, 175 lbs, will have a good sized load of gear and will be traveling from LA all the way to Brazil.

What is the best bike for the job?
(also, belt, chain or shaft driven)

I've read up on the Aero 1100, but it seems to fishtail with a lot of weight on the back.  Not particularly good for packed/loose dirt roads.  I intend to travel mainly by paved highway, but who knows where I'll end up.

Any other advice would be much appreciated.  

I think as a cuiser board, it's gonna be a stretch, but, my advice:
1) SKIP THE BELT. They are wonderful on the highway and byway, but, a small rock kicked up can snap them and leave you stranded until you ge a new one. And from what you said about your trip, that's a possibility.
2) You are going to want a dual sport bike. I know Kawi, and BMW both make reliable ones (others do too, I just haven't seen much on them). They won't chew up the interstate like a GW, but, they will do gullies in the dirt road.
Look at:
http://www.kawasaki.com/Products/Detail.aspx?id=221
then go to BMW, I think its called the F series.

Hope this gets you started. If you were looking about a year from now, I'd be tempted to join you.  

When are you planning this trip? I was talking to my friend yesterday about how fun that trip would be. I did a little research and found this site http://www.well.com/user/dreyer/. What route are you thinking of following?  

Thanks for the link!  Are these dual sport bikes comfortable ergonomic wise for long trips, though?  Just from looking at them, I'm a bit skeptical.  Also, would 650ccs for this type of bike be enough power?  What would you say is the max speed you could go on one of these things on the interstate?  I want to be able to cruise at at least 65 comfortably without being jerked around constantly (I got my GS500 up to about 85 and that thing would vibrate like a bucket full of mexican jumping beans).  

I would like to leave about the middle of July. I just graduated and have been itching to do a big trip for a while. A turn of events caused this; I thought I was going to open up an office for my design firm, but the itch to "get out" is too strong. I can always do that when I come back (or if I come back ).  

I'm still planning the itinerary, but so far I plan to go down the east coast and come back up the west with a few deviants into the mainland, similar to that map (although not as far). I also have a really good HD camera (my major was Cinema at CSUN), and I'm debating documenting the trip.  If I acquire funding (which is a strong possibility), I will do it. Regardless, I'm planning to stop at missions, orphanages and relief centers along the way and help them, spending a few days at each one. I hope to have the actual stops set by June 7. I also have friends who have relatives there who are mechanics which is a plus.

If you and/or anyone else is interested, feel free to email me:  tim@postforchange.org and I'll keep you posted. This trip has been evolving from day one, so keep the suggestions coming!  

I've been looking at the Vulcan (900) and Nomad line (1600) and would like something similar, but less expensive.  Any opinions?  

Pretty much any bike will do 65 (except the 250s). They may whine, but they will do it.
Given that the Eisenhower interstate ends at the Texas border, I really wouldn't let that change my ride selection.

Dual sports I can almost guarantee are not the bike to do an iron butt on, but, they are the bike I'd select to do your ride. They will do highway, AND they will do cowpath. From what I've read of road conditions, cowpath is the more likely road for a lot of your ride.

BTW, tour companies like Pancho Villa tours will rent you a dual sport for things like the Texas to Copper Canyon tour. They will not rent you a cruiser.
You will have to pack light.  

I have been to Alaska twice, the last time was last year 07. Each time I rode a K-1200-LT 2004 which I bought new for these trips. The bike was perfect for the trip with not one problem. The roads there are paved with some long gravel roads and the normal dirt off road trails. I was able to load the bike with all I needed for the trip without cramping my sitting space. I'm 6'  190. You may want to check out BMW Motorcycle Owners of America.   WWW. bmwmoa.org. This site offers a lot of information even out of country travel information. Have a great time.  Crezy  

frbock, I see your point. Please excuse my ignorance. I've been reading up on other folks adventures and it seems the KLR650 is the bike of choice if you're going to pack light.   I would like a bigger bike so what are the pros and cons of the KLR650 vs. the K1200?

Also, how accurate would you say Google maps is in terms of paved roads?  It shows MEX 15,10,23,45,etc as a major highways, which from my last trip to Michoacán, appeared to be in good shape. Of course, it was mostly dirt roads in the village I stayed in. You're right.. most of the roads will be cowpath if I veer from the main roads and cities (which I want to ***

crezy, thanks for bike suggestion. I lean towards it as we share a similar build. I'm looking up the site you mentioned.  

I'd say google, tele-atlas, etc are VERY good in the US, Canada, and Most of Europe. It's where most of the buyers of the maps are from. They go down from there.

The K1200LT is the BMW equivalent of the GoldWing. It is shaft drive (a plus), tons of carrying capacity (a plus), but, the K1200LT has 4.5" of ground clearance, and the KLR650 has 9.4. The BMW F650 is somewhere in the 6"+ (can't find a really good reference to give you an exact number).