I'd have thought reducing weight would provide more utility (in rural monsoon areas, say) if violent contact wasn't part of the problem - it might survive crash

I'd have thought reducing weight would provide more utility (in rural monsoon areas, say) if violent contact wasn't part of the problem - it might survive crashes that destroy the bike, maybe that's the design decision. FWIW, I'm not saying it's wrong, just notable in the apparent robustness.