I do very much enjoy having my V-Strom 1000 for touring and riding down unsealed roads with Julie on the back. It performed as well as my ST in Tasmania and allowed me to take the both of us up Jacobs Ladder (and I know a couple of brothers and their wives did that ride on their ST's during the 2019 Rally - but I'm not that skilled or brave to take an ST up there). It also allowed us to do the Western Explorer down through Corunna on the west coast of Tassie - something I'd never have done on the ST.
I found the weight of the ST when 2Up getting a bit much for me and we both went down once or twice (when stationary - thankfully) when a leg slipped out. Picking the bike up when loaded for touring was no fun either.
Sadly I sold the ST earlier this year - only because I didn't have room for a 3rd bike and bought the new Himalayan. I don't regret the purchase, the bike is a fun machine.
I do regret selling the ST, but I have the memories of so many great trips. IMHO there is no better black top touring bike, past or present.