Hi hobo
Me been from SA , and had a older Tenere in early 90's I would go with the 660 Tenere , even though u seen the boys on the long way down n around using bmw---expensive things oops bad word here ...:icon_monkey:. You look @ what the Dakar guys been using most were 660's ect ..
Good points from everyone on to the 6660 and 1200 ,but if you on tight budget I say the 660 will be beter fuel range to a 1200 .
Well thats what I would use . Below is what might be of interest to you of going from CapeTown up to us ... yes place was a Yamaha but think it was 820cc ok fully equiped .
Hope this sorta helps with route planned .
Regurds Martin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmKosR2n_KY
http://www.rssp.eu/downloads/dakar/1992.pdf

Thanks guys, was keen on the 1200, but you might have changed my mind. Thanks for all the input.

May be worth having a read of this http://www.wilddog.za.net/forum/index.php?topic=52625.0