Maybe for some. For me it's about a balance between form, function and price. And it may be that the price that is painful for me is not for someone else. So be it.
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Many would say about us " some have more money than sense" since we bought the $30K+ bikes and it may be true to a point. Although when I looked back at my 04 RK Custom, I clearly had over $30K into it so when justifying this bike to myself, I just added up things like 110 kit, paint set, wheels (oops, I'm over $10K) and added it to the $20K for a FLT.

Easy decision then

Next came convincing the better half

...not so easy!
I've worked in aircraft maintenance for over 30 years and my background is in structures to include Plastics and composits...I know what goes into making these shields. After the initial investment in setting up the machinery or making jigs, fixtures or molds, its not much more work to produce 100 than it is 10. Doing the finish work like polishing and cleaning up the sharp edges takes no longer than doing the old type.
Look at it this way. If I were CB, I'd jump at a group buy...why you ask? Because if there is a shield out there that we the SERG owners prefer, wouldn't it make sense to ensure my shield was on as many of these bikes that attract crowds all by themselves? Hell yea I would! And the fact that these shields fit all other FLTs makes each of our bikes a billboard for CB. I believe they are looking at this shortsighted trying to recoup their R&D rather than looking at the BIG PICTURE...JMHO