I don't think you are too far off but I think that there are some pretty understandable causes for the effect that you point out. IMHO
Here is my take on it:
Most 12 year old kids don't dream of riding the kind of bikes that most of us ride or the rides we choose to go on. If you are 12 you dream of riding a dirt bike at full speed across the Baja winning the cup and the large chested blonde showering you with champagne at the podium.

Some of them dream of being a bad biker dude and riding a hog across country with the same blonde on the back of the bike. Stopping nightly for a drink and knocking the hell out of anyone that looks at her.

Most of us fulfill some part of this dream and move on in life. Others just never get over it. I liken it to the 50 year old that still is more than a little competitive in a "friendly" game of football.

The idea of leaving society behind (Even if for the weekend) and riding one of "our" kind of bikes to the ends of the earth and rough camping doesn't appeal to as many of those guys as the other style of riding does. Let's face it when you and one or two other guys are riding across the plains of say Kazakhstan there aren't a great deal of people to show off to. I just don't think those guys would be interested in eating goat meat on a dirt floor in a village of 16 people. Personally I would jump at the opportunity but I am as daft as all the rest of you.
Hope to make it to Turkey soon. -Paul