This is a great keyboard. I love it a lot, but I just never use my Topre boards anymore =/
Some additional pics for those interested: http://dangwang.wordpress.com/2012/07/08/realforce-87u-anniversary-edition-uniform-55g-weight/
I've been contemplating buying a Topre board, but it seems that more and more people are saying the exact same thing you are, they just don't use them. Can you tell me why? It is allegedly a great board. If they're so great, why aren't people using them?
The evolution of mechanical keyboards as a hobby in the past 2 years (especially on GH) has been modding Cherry MX switches. Topre boards just aren't as versatile for modding. You can do switch replacements or swaps but it isn't nearly as easy as Cherry boards.
Topre keyboards also have like a thousand screws to get through before you even get to the PCB. To me, it just has a lot less appeal in customization and that's really what I enjoy doing these days with keyboards. As the community grows older and stabilized, questions like "what switch would I like" become less and less exciting. What's exciting now is the lust for novelty keycaps and keycap sets....all of which are usually for Cherry MX keyboards.
About 1.5 years ago, Realforce 87U's were the hot sh*t. If you had one, you either imported it from Japan or somehow had the hookup. Now a days, you can buy one for near $250 brand new. I settled for a used 87U for $300+ 1.5 years ago. So the ample supply made the rarity aspect of Topre boards also a little less desirable, maybe.
TL;DR: I wouldn't say there is less of a desire for the Topre switch feel, but more so on ample availability and less customization.
