Considering that most bikes are judged by sports bike categories. IE
More power = better.
Lighter = better,
More gadgets = better
that isn't such a bad result.
It's sort of like car magazines putting a Lambo, Honda Accord and a Land Cruiser together and gathering votes.
Most people would see how ridiculous that would be but in the bike world it's considered OK.
I am talking from an Australian perspective here but the folks out in the desert may like the ABS and traction control as long as when they fail they get out of the way, but the fancy paint and carpet and gadgets and shit is just pissing them off. Thery want a 4WD that has grunt down low and won't die in a creek, or will still get back home after a bit of a roll over.
They want vinyl, bench seats and tough ass engineering and flat white paint and Air-con not all the crap that is going into things these days.
The same could be said of the bike market. I don't mind the safety features etc but all the switchable gee wiz bang stuff on the beemers and Multi is just not very "Adventure Bike" to me.
Leave that to the Boy Racer Super Sports.
But here is something that I have noticed. (percentages are just a guess)
99% of buyers aren't going to use an S1000 to it's full potential.
90% of buyers aren't going to use a Ducati to it's full potential.
85% of buyers aren't going to use and XT1200 to it's full potential.
So what would 90% of buyers use to it's full potential? An SV650? GS500, Versys? CT110 I bet something in the 400-650cc range is and made in the early 80's is probably close to the mark.
Interesting to find out
Cheers
Graham