Yep, I remember how simple it was to rebuild carbs, even 4-barrel ones. BUT, I remember having to rebuild them every 30,000 miles and getting 18 mpg on a good day. My current car is significantly faster, gets 28 to 30 mpg on the highway and the fuel injection system has never been touched in 60,000 miles. I have another car in my family with fuel injection that has had zero need for FI maintenance in 175,000 miles. Complicated is sometimes simpler than simple. And simple is often just a synonym for primitive.

As to a minor accident causing $1500 in damage on a $25,000 car. True, these days it does. However, I remember when a minor accident like that only caused $300 in damage but the entire car cost $3000 so it's all relative.

All of the above notwithstanding, I don't see electric or electronic shifting on bikes as solving any real problems or making any improvements in the riding experience. Until the electronics can read your mind, you are still going to have to pick the gear you want.