I've fallen into the trap of having romantic images of previously owned bikes and buying the same model again years later - more than once! Same story each time - the bikes are never as good as I remembered or the fatal flaw that made me sell them the first time rears its ugly head again. I think we don't always realize that the improvements in bikes over the years have been significant and to go back to an older bike is not without its compromises (full disclosure, my current ride is a 1984 model).
All that said, a real standout to me was the R1150GSA I owned. Though I would never have taken it off road, as a street bike it was absolutely brilliant and I would have felt comfortable riding it anywhere. The fatal flaw? I am 5'10" with a 30" inseam.