mav, I think your argument has some merit but does not go across the board.
Now I am a bit of a two stroke fan. (no stroke jokes thanks boys)
and would have to say that development from the early models was for the better. KR1 - KR1S much nicer. RGV early twin pipe either side to the M with banana swing arm was the best,
NSR MC16 - MC28 swipe card ignition single side swing arm again much better bike.
I do no what you are saying with regard to the fire blade and it was a brutal bike.
but to compare that to say a SP1 is not fair or is it fair to compare the 916 -999 models,
are you saying then that the 996 or 998 are not as good if not better bike than the original 916 ?
any way I lost myself in all that, but I do think things get better with age maybe just not the new 749 999 series, if it last for 10 years like the previous model did ill have to eat my hat. K