You're not far off, IMO.
Big ADV bikes are basically reworks of street or Sport Touring bikes. "Style" is an important element in this segment.
ADV bikes are good (better, IMO) then previous bikes because:
1. Very comfortable up right riding position. Sporty, quick, agile.
2. High position means good visibility above most traffic.
3. Good for carrying BIG load and passenger.
4. Fairly rugged ... (or rugged looks anyway). Fairly tough, less plastic than road or sport touring bikes.
5. Most have excellent power, near sport bike handling. Win Win.
The BMW's even show good fuel numbers. Not so KTM, Yamaha, Triumph.

BMW did a great job marketing the ADV bike thing. Some would say they "created" it. I disagree ... but BMW WERE important. BMW started in 1981 with the first R80GS, based loosely on their Paris-Dakar Race bike.

Others were there too: Cagiva, Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha all had "Adventure" bikes for sale based on their Dakar racers. Only the BMW GS and Cagiva (Ducati) came to the USA, none of the Japanese ones.
So in EU Punters got real Race Replicas, graphics and all.

But those bikes came and went. Only BMW really kept at it, evolving the GS every few years. All others dropped out of the "Rally" segment. 20 years Later, KTM jumped in.

KTM got in the big ADV bike race in 2004 with the horribly unreliable but great riding 950 adventure. They've got better since, going from 950 to 990, to 1190 and now 1290. Where will this BIGGER IS BETTER thing end?

In 2012 Yamaha jumped in with the Tenere' 1200 and XTZ660 (EU only for 600).

BMW went from the R80GS to R100GS, in '93 big breakthrough with all new "Oil head" motor (bit of a disaster). BMW recovered, continued on but the BMW's were never without serious problems ... continues today.

R1100GS to R1150GS ... and then another BIG STEP ... R1200GS. Best GS yet, truly a GREAT bike.(IMO)

Now it's water cooled, has every electronic gadget known and costs about 18K UKP. KTM similar price. Both can go off road but riders need to be careful. Both bikes around 272 kgs. (fuel/loaded).

Honda are ready to step back in. Suzuki struggle with the Vstrom, Yamaha are doing well with the heavy but tough Tenere' 1200. Kawi have nothing beyond the KLR. Guzzi have the Stelvio. Triumph have become a player with their 800 and 1200 Tigers.

All ADV Rally inspired poser bikes ... really best as road bikes.


But these are ALL great bikes to ride, even if not taken off road. It's ALL GOOD, it gets people out riding.

Having toured long distance off road with several BMWGS's, Tigers and Vstroms, I determined that even though all great street bikes, I was never happy wrestling them around off road.

I went smaller. Tried a XR250R in Baja, 3000 mile ride. Great off road, not so great on road.



Tried XL600, XR400, XR650L, KLR650 and some dirt bikes too.

Got back on a DR650 after a 15 year break ... and loved it for nearly everything I do.
I'd love to try a smaller bike traveling but would not want to cover thousands of road miles on one. But that is just me. I love to cruise down an empty rural road at 100 mph.