Like shaft drive fantasies, you may want to consider leaving kick start and anti water cooled obsessions behind as well. Keep researching, see what you come up with.

Unless you go back to a 1980's XT500 or early XT600 or some early XL Hondas, I'm not sure many kick start dual sports are currently around past mid 90's or so. I'm sure they're a few ... but would those old nails be ideal travel bikes?

I grew up on kick start bikes, (from early 60's) also lived through decades of poor (British, Spanish and German) elec. systems and hundreds of dead batteries. I became an expert at bump starting big British twins at age 15! ... and kicking them just wore you out or broke your ankle.

Also rode crap air cooled bikes that burnt up or seized for no apparent reason. Those days are gone. (thank God!) Liquid cooling pretty much rules now with just a few notable exceptions among 1st world big cc bikes sold by the Big Four. (DR650 is one)

The DR650 is the easiest starting bike on the market. Barely touch the button and it's running! Excellent electrics too! thump thump thump!

And don't forget superior Japanese electrics in general. Unlike some "others" I could mention ... Japanese electrics work ... and keep working (think Denso). If you run the DR's battery dead (it will continue running ) it's not a problem to bump start ... if on pavement or hard dirt surface if you have good technique.

Take care your electrics and all will be well. Don't run too many accessories. But the charging system will restore a dead battery in 20 minutes riding providing battery is reasonably healthy and not sat round too long.

I too appreciate the air cooled aspect regards ADV travel bikes, but the DR650 is not typical. It uses the very sophisticated Suzuki SACS oil/air cooling system developed for the GSXR race bikes in the early 90's. Google it. The DR got it in
1997 with the "all new" DR650SE.

Regards liquid cooling:
I raced AMA Enduro for 8 years (liquid cooled 2 strokes). Had dozens of big crashes ... never busted a radiator, broke a hose or lost a water pump. ALL Japanese bikes of course. So, while it can happen, it's fairly RARE!

But it IS a factor ... what with hoses, water pump and such. All that said, I do like my DR's "oil/air cooled" system but would have no problem riding (and have ridden) a liquid cooled machine to ends of the earth.

The DR650 has an "oil cooler" radiator. Does an incredible job at oil cooling. DR650's never over heat ... as tested by me in 118F temps riding hard. Never a whimper.

So keep researching, see what you come up with. Most of the guys who've commented have owned many dual sport singles and most have traveled on them. Take the advice given seriously. They are the "real deal".

Good luck!