While Japan doesn't come to mind as the best place to recruit other bikers, I think you've hit the nail on the head insofar as how to bring that number down to earth is concerned; if you added 4-6 others, you'd be in a more sane price category.

I also happen to think that you could chop quite a bit off the $14k number itself by simply forcing CITS to provide an itemized list and backing out items you don't want (e.g. the English speaking guide, meals, overpriced hotels, permits you could care less about, etc.).

I estimate the actual cost of food and accomodation along your proposed route is no more than $500 (and, that's living well). And, let's assume another $300 for gas (you can make a better guesstimate based on your bike's fuel consumption patterns; gas prices here average $2.60 per gallon; I think your proposed routing is about 2500 miles).

So that's $800 in hard costs (and $13.6k in fluff -- though I have to admit that there is nothing fluffy about the Jeep).

Anyway, good luck and don't let CITS bully you around too much.