Thank for all the advice, but i am sorted now, Just been out on my recently aquired bike, enjoyed it, very sedate compared to my CRF250X, but love it all the same
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub.../xt-600e-76823

Off to the HU meet at Donnington Park tomorrow.

I did 191,500km on an old F650, including quite a bit offroad in Europe and North, Central and Sth America with the bike loaded normally (panniers and tankbag). My next choice was and is the Dakar model. Am very happy with it, would definitely choose the bike for a RTW. Reliable, ABS can be switched off, great and easy handling, bike weight okay, two up possible onroad, fuel economy great etc.
Cheers, Dirk

My experience
 

I actually own and ride the hell out of a G650GS Sertao. It is almost identical to the Dakars. I have ridden 50,000 adventure miles in the last 2 years on this bike. I also rode 30,000 miles on a G650GS the year before. I have had one component failure, the cooling fan. Unfortunately it was in the outback of Brazil and cost me 10 days to get a spare. I probably could have fixed it by jury rigging a computer fan but didn't. other than oil changes I've never put a drop of oil in it.
The suspension, especially in front is kind of wobbly. After my last trip to South America I put a new Touratech shock/spring in the rear and emulators and spring in front. Now this bike handles very well in everything. It probably needs a clutch now but I'm sure the engine is fine. My riding style is around 50/50 with some very long off road stints on occasion. the bike still looks great whenever I bother to clean it. Like others have said I wouldn't over-load it but with the touratech rear spring you could. I have even gone 2 up on the stock unit and I weigh 255lbs.
One small repair in 80,000 miles and only normal maintenance.