Eddie,
There are ways to make it happen. But as Ted has illustrated, it takes work
and time. Unless you have a wealthy back ground and support from same, then nothing will happen instantly.

Surly you have some skills? Did you ever go to school? Ever had a job? Doing what? Any special training of any kind? Did you work in those areas?

Some or ALL of those skills could mean you have something to offer when traveling. Speak any languages? This too is a useful skill. (teaching English, which I did in El Salvador and Guatemala)

At 21,left my job as a waiter in a restaurant with meager savings in hand, took off for Mexico. Traveled with friends at first in a camper with old Jawa 350 on the bumper. Many sacrifices to make this happen.

My buddy gave me the Jawa in Guatemala, I continued on from there. Ended up buying local hand woven goods from local Indians, exporting to USA, selling it off. This worked out well, financed three additional trips into Central and South America, mostly without a bike, but did involve bikes from time to time.

Ended up living in Guatemala, costing about $100 USD a month, all up. Eventually made it to Argentina (after a year on the road) and got a job with US govt. Antarctic research program, then spent next 3 years there and in Argentina ... getting paid more money than I'd ever dreamed of.

So after 7 years on the road, returned to USA, went back to school and eventually found work. Now I take shorter bike trips, sometimes tied in with work, sometimes on my own or with friends.

So far: All of Mex, cent. America, S. America, bits of Africa, EU, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam ... lots more to go.

I drive a 20 year old JUNK heap of a car (I mostly ride), no fancy phone
(use TracFone ... about $10/month), live on fixed income. (low)

You do make a good point: the commercialization of the ADV scene is dominant, it's what most of the public sees.

The big rallies, the big web sites features rich guys on $30,000 bikes or couples in $300,000 UNI Mogs. So YES ... there is that element. But as Ted points out ... once you get out on the road you'll find more real, down to earth travelers just scraping by, and living on a budget. The HI end guys do just as you state .... it's a high end two week holiday for most, or a package tour to some "Exotic" local. Ignore them, focus on your goals and do whatever it takes to reach them.