No question there is a gap in this segment. KTM seems to be doing the best at filling that gap. Husky and Husaberg were also doing a good job heading in that direction before their demise.

The Japanese companies have mostly been asleep the last 10 or 15 years.
Lots of reasons WHY ... but I predict a change is in the works ... from ALL of the big four.

KTM's 450EXC street legal race bike has great potential, IMO.
KTM also make a cool Dakar Rally version you can buy, not a good travel bike, and probably costs .. what? ... $25K to $30K?

I'd like to see KTM build a 450 version of the KTM 690. What do you think? More dual sport biased, real sub frame for luggage, reduced HP for long term reliability, longer maint. intervals. Will we see this? Dunno?

I've heard rumors KTM are working on a smaller twin ... something 650 to 800cc ADV twin, light weight, perhaps inspired by the 950 SE? Rumor!

For the time being I think the "ancient" DRZ400S is not a bad choice. Sure, it's down on power ... but how much do you need on a travel bike?

DRZ wet weight is around 300 lbs. (136 kgs.). Heavy but not outrageous for a 100% street legal 400cc dual sport. The DRZ offers a real subframe, bullet proof proven engine with 14 years of history among tens of thousands of examples worldwide, many still on the road/trail.

The KTM 690 is about 320 lbs. wet (145 kgs. wet) Fantastic for a 650 class bike!

But once you add lots of extras and luggage for travel to either bike, weight goes UP sharply. Not sure how you get round that in an elegant way?

You could take a 300cc Two Stroke Trials bike RTW (under 200 lbs) ... but once you load it up for travel ... it would get heavy quick and it's total character would change.

The other problem with loading up a very light weight race bike is that it changes it's character dynamic, which can affect handling.

The traveler has to sort of "re-design" his bike, adapt suspension and geometry to maintain proper handling whilst carrying luggage. Luggage must be arranged carefully to make it all work.

I would hope a bike built from the ground up to carry a luggage load would have an advantage? Hopefully CCM has thought about this with their new bike?

I like the idea of a 450 class bike in that not only will going off road on tougher tracts be more fun, but a 450 class bike forces us to pack lighter and smarter ... and just plain get along with LESS.
I'm thinking this could be a challenge to riders coming off a R12GS-A!