hi rossa
like you have done one big trip and have lots of ideas what i need to change for the next one. from talking to owners and researching the net i decided that while the ktm is a very capable bike it has a tainted record of reliability. it appears to be a highly strung engine and then there are chassis component failures. (i guess this will cause ktms owners to start telling me what i dont know but i took a long hard look at the tech section of HUBB. you will finds lots of probs if you trawl those entries) do the same for the xr and what you find is a bike that seems it can keep going whatever. look at all of rich lees postings, he has a lot of experience with xrs and is testament to what the bike can be put through. solution to my next bike was to buy a xr already supermotarded. i am not dissapointed. it is fantastic round the lanes, motards deliver holligan performance if you want it! i am also preping it for another big trip. a genuine 2 in 1 bike if there is such a thing. dont expect it to be comfortable, it aint yet but neither is the ktm. dont expect it to be pleasurable above 70mph it aint. beyond that its fantastic. also lots more hoda dealerships throughout the world. check out http://www.xr650r.us/ this lists all the common problems and is a good source of info.
hope this helps a little, happy bike buying.
Oz