I met a Japanese guy who bought a bunch of inexpensive WalMart gear and bike here in the US to avoid flying with it all. He rode the Pacific Coast and seemed to be having a great time. I think he had done about half of the coast when we met him.

While I'd rather ride a nicer bike than WalMart sells, I think folks seem to make touring be way more about the bike than makes sense. As long as the bike can make the distance, carry you and your gear, and be fun to ride it will be fine. Making the distance is a low hurdle and just about any bike can if cared for well, some may need more repairs and attention along the way than others. Carrying you and your gear can be a low hurdle if you pack light. Being fun to ride is purely a matter of personal preference. I know that I didn't think our Trans America would have been a much different experience on a $6,000 instead of our $600 ones, other than we would have worried more about them being stolen.