Does anyone know if Kawi is planning on a new model?
Yea, and it will probably use that same engine! Kawasaki has been using basically the same four stroke, water cooled, dual overhead cammed engine for over 20 years. It's relatively reliable, but not as reliable as you'd think a water pumper should be. It's relatively good power, but not as good as you'd think a water pumper should be. It's also relatively heavy, and there's not much aftermarket stuff available for it. There are probably better choices out there (okay KLX riders, I'm sorry!!!).
Basically, because of what's required for street riding here in the states, you have a choice.
1. Purchase a 'Dual Sport' bike off the showroom floor and put up with the added weight, diminished handling characteristics and stuffed-up breathing. But gain a bike that is probably more happy on pavement (and so will your butt be!).
2. Purchase any four-stroke dirt bike of your choice (or some two strokes), and call Baja Designs. Put on their kit, add some street-legal rubber, and voila! The perfect DS bike -- until you ride more than 15 miles on pavement, then your butt will be buzzin!
We log lots of DS miles, I ride my XR250, my husband has a DRZ400E (both with Baja Designs kits), our buddies ride everything from an TTR225 to the largest in the group, a DRZ400L (the rider is a tall, strapping fella). Anything bigger doesn't seem to work for the type of exploring we like to do (i.e. drag it under and over downed trees, slog through late spring snowdrifts, splash through creeks).
The perfect dual sport bike depends completely on what your perfect dual sport ride is! To some people, it's logging miles on logging roads. To others it's "going where no man has gone before". Choose your riding style, then choose your weapon!