I will say that after talking to parents who own, have owned and race/raced CVTs here is my take on CVTs.
They are an ok starter platform. costs? They are just as expensive if not more than a shifter. when guys are required to spend $5-$6K on a engine just to be at a "national" competition level is crazy in my mind. you can get 2 shifter engines build to the hilt for that cost for the class you can run them, and they do not require rebuild every 2-4 competitions events. A stock cvt runs $2900+ for the starter 50cc bike, but trust me, that will NOT help much more past riding around a large field. to compete you'll spend another $2k minimum just to get going in a starter 50cc class and just to finish w/o breaking down. then the real costs start. I was told in their first year, not including cost of initial purchase and extras for competition, they spend another $3600 in parts and repairs on average for a first year rider with a new bike and just trying to stay running for the season. then you have the costs of competition, but I am leaving those out.

if you take a shifter like a raptor 125, that is $3400, change the shocks, exhaust, and tune the carb, and your at $3900-$4200 total start. that will be competitive in it's class to start and aside form changing the oil and plugs, will usually make it a season or two w/o too much trouble (baring crashes). So in the end, I have to admit being non-bias, I do not agree that CVTs are cheaper. They seem to cost nearly double a season at least in the starter low running class. if your rider is competitive and you demand the best, you can mortgage the home at that point (one guy claimed $85k for national racing in a year to stay in the top 3 spots for a full season). I know people who have upwards of $12k into a CVT. I know guys with a $8900 custom shifter than don't hardly spend another dime the whole season on anything except fluids, and basic wear and tear items. please understand, I respect CVT and think they have their place, but I personally do not agree with the statement of budget minded.

now here's some info I do not often disclose. We were sponsored by a Chinese ATV manufacturer. they made scooters and ATVs with the CVT engines, the same ran in the DDR and APEX bikes. They even had access to "performance parts" for them. Yes the same imported parts guys here spend hundreds on. Those parts cost a tiny fraction of what people pay for them. a clutch upgrade kit costs what? $250-$300? the factory sells them to a dealer for $50-$75 each kit. who's taking advantage? why is CVT so out of control? because people are not thinking and will spend the $. If everyone in CVT started saying I'm not paying that and started moving to shifters the CVT market would more than ever drop pricing to get you to come back. I do not agree with any place charging thousands on a motor.
Anyway, I am by no means trying to offend or start any sort of a debate. CVTs have their place, but I just want to make it clear, they are NOT cheaper.