A few answers.

1) How did the other brands hold up.
There were two KTM 690's. Modified with larger tanks. These held up fine except for the subframe bolts that broke due to excessive weight of the MM panniers and very rough roads and the LCD displays vibrated themselves apart. They were ridden very hard by very good riders in the dirt. They were also looked after very diligently and they held up very well.
The GS 800’s fine overall, but suffered one broken a fuel pump and one failed rear shock.
The GS 650’s suffered from a blown rear shock , one rear suspension linkage failure and rear sub frame bolts broke.
The GS 1200 needed a new rear diff and rear shock half way round. This bike was crashed a few times but patched up.

2) My top 5 were (In no particular order)
1) South Korea. An amazing place and some of the best mountain roads we road.
2) Burning crater in Turkmenistan - a sight you will never forget
3) The wilds of Yukon & Alaska. It’s a huge very remote place
4) Offloading through Mongolia. It’s got to be done.
5) Lake Som-Kul in Kyrgyzstan. The best trail ride I have done and the most scenic wild camp you could ever imagine.