[fnfalman]

Let's make a couple of distinctions here vis-a-vis dual sports versus adventure bikes.

Dual sports are like the Suzuki DR650, KLR650, a couple of Honda 450s, Yamaha 250s, street legal Aprilia RXV, and a couple of KTM thumpers. These bikes are dirt bikes that are either barely street legal with lights and emission compliant exhausts (RXV, DRZ, et al) or they have chasses that are designed for street riding as well as offroading ala DR650 and KLR650. A bike chassis for street riding is heavier than offroading because of the high speeds involved so they need to be stiffer with less flex. That's part of the reason for the weight. More fairings, heavier wheels and tires, other niceties that a dirt bike doesn't require, they all add up to additional weight.

Adventure bikes like the BMW GS, KTM Adventure, the Aprilia Caponord, V-Strom, etc. are both touring bikes AND dual sport (more or less on the dual sport). So, coupled with the much bigger engines and other touring design doodads, next thing you know, you have a heavy bike. THEN you add your camping gears and guess what? Frankly Obiwan and his boytoy Boorman were better saved by the BMW F650GS than the big ass boxer twin R1150GS or R1200GS, but then the little thumper GS isn't as "sexy".