Well, I'm a fairly new rider  (1,5 yrs on a bike) and on my way to Japan (from Belgium) with a Dakar (2002). I like the bike a lot, handles great on long distance at (for me ideal) 100km/hr, looks good, no need for larger tanks (range is easy 400km without extra fuel), and with the right mods (centre stand etc) will, IMHO, take you almost anywhere...
But it is true, the bike is very heavy for off road.. I weigh only 65kg myself and handling this bike (even in a parking lot, pushing it back a bit uphill) becomes problematic sometimes..
7000km in 20 days now and my water pump looses a drop once in a while  I came prepared though and rerouted the oil line already.. but it is true: you need to be a hands-on person with some (not a lot) mechanical insight (and a spare pump or two ..
Take care
A.
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