while the WR450 has plenty of power to go faster than it ought to (or at least mine has been to ~110 before running out of space, not tucked), it isn't much fun on the freeway even with tall gearing and is fairly maintenance intensive
That "maintenance intensive" part is a bit worrying when thinking "travel bike". But for 2nd or 3rd world travel you don't do Freeway and typically road speeds are between 35 and 55 mph. Lots of beat up skinny roads, dirt roads in middle of nowhere. If weather is wet and things get muddy then heavier ADV bikes become a liability.
Even my 125cc bikes ridden in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam are a struggle to get through mud. But I liked the super power/torque of the WR450F I rode ... and so light! Not ideal for carrying everything you need but can go anywhere.
So, what you have to decide is HOW MUCH off road will your travel include ... and how KNARLY will it get? Sometimes we never know ... and that conundrum has caused me to U turn several times riding my DR650 solo in remote areas.
If I have to keep one bike it would be my DR650 because it can do everything, not everything well but it does everything. My DR650 will only cruise at 70mph, I could get it to 80 if I flogged it but its not happy. But 70mph is all I need. It has a trailtech though so it report actual speed as opposed to 5+mph like most Japanese speedos go.
Yes, and it does do some things very well. Like not break. Like not need service at short intervals. Like be cheap to run. Like be owner field serviceable. I now have OEM speedo but used to have bicycle odo so yes, speedo is off 5% to 8%, while ODO is accurate.
Not for everyone but super cheap and cheerful!
If the DR650 drive line is fresh and correct, can be pretty smooth at 75 mph indicated. Fresh Cush rubbers, fresh Sprockets/Chain, alignment, rubber dampers left IN.
60,000 miles Plus and counting.
