I think you're missing the point. I love the 500 EXC-F, but I'm not riding a desk chair. I want to be riding a bike. That motor also with all other highly stressed dirt bike motors won't last as long a "true" dual sport motors. I don't care about oil changes. I care about bikes that are actually designed to do what I want. If I get a 690, that motor will run many more miles after a 500 EXC-F motor is in the trash. Yea, the 500 will be better off road, obviously. But is it a bike that you'll want to take on a BDR trip? That's personal choice, but what isn't personal choice is that I know the 690 will survive more BDR trips than the 500 and that's the point of this thread.