Regarding the Bobber handling, it may just be a matter of what you prefer. I like a light-handling bike. I didn't like the Bobber at all, felt anything but nimble and fun, to me. An interesting note: the sales guy was riding it across the lot for me to test ride, but turned around and headed back to the service bay because he thought the tires were flat.
Sarah
Those are two amazingly succinct observations Sarah. Thanks for sharing. Sometimes it is amazing how different two similar bikes can feel even at less than 20 mph.
Perhaps 425cc cylinders may be about the limit to meet the current Euro emissions standards without radical redesign. IE: water cooling and/or four valves per cylinder. Performance is easy, but emissions are both a design constraint and requirement.
A lot of the other manufacturers seem to be cloistering around 600-700cc and two or three cylinder as a design optimum. At least for now.