I think folks misunderstand the intention of these machines like the new R1, Panigale 1299, hopefully the upcoming Honda V4. These are not meant to be show-off bikes for the squids or your average street rider. In fact, no liter bikes ever really were. These are production racing machines - they are designed for going fast on the track, in an environment where one wheel above ground is
not the limit of control/traction, but just the beginning. Sure, people like to ride these bikes on the street for fun, but at the end of the day these are race bikes. Glance at WSBK, BSB, AMA - this is what they are built for.
We are talking about teams/people that can pay $25k instead of $15k for a new bike. People that will gladly pay premium for the right electronics package that helps you not get tossed off the bike when you're coming out of a corner hard on the gas. These all may seem like incremental changes to you guys ("moar hp, electronics") - but what do you expect? A hoverbike?
These are HUGE changes, actually. The R1 added not only more hp, but a phenomenal electronics package to help control that power. They also added a slew of connectivity options (throttle sensor, lean angle sensor, etc. - how cool is that?? people try to incorporate that into videos all the time). And don't even get me started on the electronic suspension. We'll have to see/read about how well it works, but what a cool option for those of you who know the pains of tinkering with rebound/compression when you can't get the feel just right in a certain corner.
These are big, big changes. They may not seem huge for street riders - but even so, the traction control and electronics package is a big safety improvement, will hopefully help less experienced guys get through some shaky moments. For someone who has a built engine in his/her race bike (i.e. all the bikes from WSBK and BSB) - sure, more hp may not be an improvement - but the electronics will be, for sure.
About the "ultra" bikes being unavailable, etc. There are plenty Panigales at the track, and people that ride them well are amazing. I think people complained about the price of the BMW 5 years ago. Well guess what, everyone has one at the track these days. The R1M is $21k MSRP from what I've read. Give it a few years, and you'll start to see used ones appearing closer to the $10k mark, just like the BMWs.
I, for one, can't wait to ride one. This is MotoGP technology, finally getting trickled down to guys like us. We are talking about racing technology that cost millions to prototype and refine - stuff that you only see in MotoGP, getting closer to our grasp. How f'n cool is that?