So I've been wondering why newer bikes have moved to inverted forks. It seems like Honda and most motorcycle companies have ditched the old style front forks found on F2's and older bikes. Why is it? It seems counter-intuitive to have the the most vulnerable part of the fork near incoming debris and dust. Wouldn't the center of gravity be higher? I can't figure out why I JUST noticed inverted forks yesterday LOL.

 

I believe it's to lower the unsprung weight of the front end.
That allows the front to be more responsive (less mass/inertia).

Ern

 

It makes the forks stiffer by right where the forks flexes in the middle. I have done the Gsxr front fork swap and it was immediate different animal and wish I did it sooner. Alot more responsive and makes it more controllable whipping through the turns/twisties. They are at least 2/5th's thicker/wider from the seals to to the top of the forks than the F2, which take away flexing. The F2 is fast and the inverted forks makes it way faster.
I weigh 210(muscle) and ride fast abusing the F2 stock forks causing them to flex in the twisties and tearing the fork seals by dragging them twice in 1 year. Put Racetech seals and springs in the Gsxr forks and haven't had any problem at all in 3 years. They are great and I keep up and sometimes pass newer bikes. Suspension and brakes with tires is the key before Hp in my book. But you will find the frame and rear shock is the next weakest link after that.

 

Ern is correct - though there have been other improvements as time has gone by, the original significant accomplishment with USD forks, was lower unsprung weight, resulting in better handling up front.

 

It's for corner grip more than anything else.But the rest of the chassis must compliment the front end in order to have an effective and balanced machine.