Kevin,
Again, your point is well taken. We do need simpler, more affordable motorcycles. I believe the largest single potential cost reduction lies outside engineering and manufacturing. Rumor has it that more than a third of the cost of a motorcycle delivered to the dealer is lawsuit-related. And this is virtually a fixed cost, comprising a far larger part of an inexpensive motorcycle's price than that of a big tourer or superbike. So, if you want to have less expensive motorcycles, you start with tort reform.
Merely shooting lawyers won't help, though I know a couple who should be shot. However, the real problem is The System, which richly rewards lawyering and gives engineering short shrift. Three of the half-dozen trial lawyers I know well were engineers and switched to law for its monetary rewards.
Just so you'll know I'm not a knee-jerk lawyer hater, I'll tell you one of my closest friends is one, and I am grateful to others for keeping Uncle Sam's hand from going into my pocket past elbow depth. Also, business lawyers serve a useful purpose in making sure people on both sides of a deal know what they're signing, thus keeping us from shooting each other.
I seem to have digressed. I'll get back to simplified, reduced-cost motorcycle design in the next message.