they were ahead of their time or at least setting the standard of the time.
But you needed to be "clued up" on making them go, stop and actually run like they should. they leaked oil from the forks, the brakes wernt too great and the carb needed to be tickled to start them,covering the crankcase in 2/ which made it look like pooh in 2 minutes. they fowled plugs, loaded up and generally gave trouble after a short amount of time in the saddle. Once sorted, they were fast, had superior handling and suspension and good riders could make them go
Honda fixed all those things so joe blow could by an elsinore, fill it with fuel and go riding...on consecutive days!!!
add to the mix the bike boom of the 7o's and Honda and Suzuki nailed it. (the euro coffins)