You've got it right!
It's nearly impossible to maintain the enclosure guard intact with any sort of long travel set up ... or when doing any sort of rough ground.

I assume you're old enough to remember back in the 50's and early 60's when quite a few bikes had enclosed chains. On bikes I had ... the first thing done was to tear off the entire enclosed chain guard system. They came loose anyway, or rattled, flew off, got tangled in chain.

But there is a place for them. On short travel, small cc bikes doing mild urban riding, should be OK.

I believe you can see Indian and Chinese bikes today with enclosed chains. Perhaps the best early ones were made by Jawa. I had a Jawa 350 twin 2 stroke. Enclosed chain set up only needed periodic tightening up and a careful eye. With too much movement they all seem to self destruct. The Jawa one was really well made with rubber accordion fittings at each end.

Modern chains are HUGELY improved from the BAD OLD DAYS. The best DID X ring chains are quite amazing. Never needing adjustment ... and will even last well without oil or cleaning.

With decent care ... mine go past 25,000 miles: DR650, DL1000. A total swap (Best DID X ring chain, new sprockets) costs me about $300 and two hours of my labor. Done!
Is that too much to do for trouble free travel?

A chain always tells you where it's at wear wise. Easy to see any kinks or stretching or dryness or need for adjustment. All easily dealt with side of the road in 10 minutes. Wise riders see chain condition and plan ahead for a swap long before things get bad.