I'm not sure I'm saddened as much as concerned for the future of the model. I haven't heard of anyone who paid anywhere near full price, and most of the folks I know who have bought have been able to find earlier models still on the showroom floor, brand new. I bought an extremely low-mile used one myself for dirt money.
Your point is brilliant, and if conventional marketing applied, it would be right on. In motorcycling, it never has. Kawasaki sold a lot of 2011's and 2012's for near full price, then rebated about the time I got mine (At 0%)...then started closing out.....JUST as the 14 rolled in...
Then the 14 sold for retail, now slightly discounted, and the last few will be discounted heavily, and the cycle repeats. Summer usually always means high prices.
What Honda is doing with the Grom is awesome, and allows for full price, but sends too many peopel walking to other models simply because there are no bikes to be bought.
Sadly, this kills our resale value, but few ever consider THAT when signing the documents for the bike at full retail.
Plus, online prices paid are often very different from reality. I know people who paid 10,300...sort of..but their final bill was 12,600 once they finished with accessories and the stupid extended warranty.