You say that... but look at all the small and mid capacity bikes Japan is shipping lately, all right around 30-40hp.
CBR300, CBR250RR, ZXR300, GSXR250, R3
CB300F, rebel 300, Z3, MT03
Lower tech than the 80s, but they're not built for people with money who couldn't have bigger, they're built for more budget conscious people.
Plus the 125 market is as alive as ever - just look at how well the Grom is doing worldwide. The sports 125s are kind of a joke compared to the 2T of old, but they're still there: CBR125, R125, GSXR125. Have you seen the new CB150R yet??
Then there's a raft of 500s, as there kinda always has been. And the Europeans with Duke/RC 125/390, BMW310. There's a 40hp 400cc Ducati Scrambler too.
I think times are better now for beginners and for those who don't feel they need >50hp than they have been for a very long time. In the 80/90s it was due to the 400cc limit in Japan. Nowadays it's due to a 48hp learner limit in Europe. You're welcome
