Thanks for all the answers so far

Regarding my physical condition, I'm young, 27, and people tend to consider me fairly strong, I'm heavily into olympic weightlifting and crossfit.

My offroad ability is hard to self evaluate, but I had my share of riding on smaller bikes and some on 450s (CRF). We have lots and lots of deep sand tracks here in the shore, so we get our share of that too. I'm no expert, very far from that, but not a complete novice either.
I already tried some of the 250s, including the WR250R but found them too weak, at least for my taste. An extra 15hp and that's the sweet spot.

Tremens, you mentioned the XT660Z Tenere, but without wanting to offend your bike choice, I really think that one was a wasted opportunity for Yamaha. Rode on one for some time and had a couple of them in the group on the Dakar expedition.
It's way too heavy, the rims are very soft and I really don't like the suspension, feels like a 90's MTB. Also, there is no racional behind the bike's height with such a short wheel travel, it seems mostly an exercise of style.


Mollydog, thanks, but I'm not interested on the DR650. Most here are very old and worn out and selling for the same price as a XR650R. I'm also after a more aggressive bike. Same with the XT600, I want more suspension travel and a 18" rear wheel, hence considering the TT600R.


Massive Lee, I understand the 10h maintenance thing on the 450 and 500s is mostly under race conditions and the absence of rear rack is a non issue for me as I want to use a Giant Loop.
Nice pics there, passed on Merzouga and Zagora last December, but missed Ouarzazate. Went to Mhamid and then Icht instead.

I'm probably scrapping the 640 ADV from my list, decided I don't want to deal with a fairing, at least for the Iberian rides.

Regarding the budget, limits exist, but I can stretch it a bit if I have a good reason. Founds will mostly come from the sale of the S10