I hope things do take that route. Because I think some of the problem here in Oz is the fact that a lot of the marketing is focused on the bike as LAMS approved ( learner legal ) hence the 660cc and a bit strangled . Now I don't know many people willing to part with around $15000 just to get a full licence then chop it in for a go faster GSXR or something similar. When you can pick up a CB500 for nearly half the price & is bit more user friendly to start off on. They are also going to have the likes of Triumph to contend with as they are bringing some of their 675 models down to 660 for learners too.
So I'd say the market for these bikes is more with people who already have their full licence, so something not plastered with L plates when you walk in the show room & built to run like it should would be much more appealing to most.