Anti-lock brakes on motorcycles are a great safety feature. Their great advantage is in inclement weather and low traction surfaces and especially during hard "panic" stopping under these circumstances. when upright or at minimal lean angles.
Watching a BMW demo of anti-lock braking, they ride over wet, hay and gravel strewn pavement and they mash the brakes and come to a controlled stop. Impressive.
But nowhere in their demos are the bikes at any degree of lean.
Comparing MotoGP racing to street riding is like asking why NASCAR drivers spin out and wreck. They are pushing the motorcycle to the absolute limits in a controlled environment- a MotoGP rider is to sliding both ends of the motorcycle. Heck, Freddie Spencer is quoted as saying it's not unusual to use his knee to catch and save a front end tuck once per lap when pushing the bike to the limit.
Proper application of the MSF's Slow, Look, Lean and Roll (remember, being on throttle in a corner helps a motorcycle preserve traction) makes losing the front on a sportbike fairly hard to do. But if there's oil, gravel, sand, cold tires... environmental factors that the rider did not identify and made him/herself aware of, it doesn't matter if it's a dual sport, cruiser or sportbike... it can catch the rider out.
What to do?
Diligent observance of the MSF's SEE (Search, Evaluate, Execute) strategy and never riding beyond the limits of the rider, the environment and the motorcycle is the best way to make sure the rider stays healthy and rolling on two wheels.
Bohn does sell a chest protector. I think there was a roadracing version of a chest/torso protector similar to what an off-road rider wears made of foam instead of hard plastic. Back protectors are now de rigeur in roadracing and some racers wear some type of chest protector.
However, the balance between comfort, convenience and freedom of movement are important considerations. How many street riders own a separate back protector? How many are likely to use them regularly on the street? There are riders out there who think a proper riding jacket is too uncomfortable in warmer weather.
"Safe" motorcycling is an activity that requires 100% concentration from the participant. The buck stops at the rider and no amount of technology can replace rider skill, proper training and proper mental attitude. In a world that is so closely intertwined with technology, this purity of experience that motorcycling offers is part of its appeal. Our sport is not without risk, best we can do is to be aware of them and take all the necessary steps to manage those risks.
As for accident statistics... one segment that is experiencing one of the largest spikes in accidents are the mid-aged, post baby boom crowd who haven't ridden in 10-20 years, if ever and who got themselves a large displacement cruiser...
Cheers.