I have to agree. But that's the trend with the small bikes. They seem to sell more of them this way. And the money seems to talk the loudest. Soon the 50's will probably have electric start. WHAT FOR?
The CRF 230 would kind of interest me if it didn't have electric start (lighter) and had better suspension.
I long for the old XR 200R's of pre 1992 with the longer suspension, made for adults and not just for kids and wifes. Why doesn't Honda do say the 1987 XR 200R (with enduro lights), over again? Wouldn't that be a great woods-playbike? Kick start, superlightness, fantastic steering, woods plunking potential, and good XR looks. And not slow on tight single tract trails, either.
What four stroke compare with this today? Certainly not a heavy, electric start, KTM EXC RFS 250......