What suspension issue are you talking about? 
In regards to the joke:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ratio
Note the end of the first definition. "5/2" Dividing the first aspect by the second aspect. 
The suspension issue is "unsprung weight".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unsprung_weight(There is also the issue of using a rectangular auto style profile on a single track vehicle. But most 16" have more rounded profiles now)
The weight of the wheel, part of the drivetrain and swingarm, lower part of the shock are unsprung, below the halfway point of the shocks. From an engineering standpoint this weight should be kept to a minimum to provide traction for braking and acceleration.
Imagine, the rear wheel hits a bump and is moving up, inertia wants it to keep moving up and the spring is trying to push it back down. If its heavy enough it overpowers the spring and the tire leaves the gound or lightens up considerably losing traction. For the rear, especially loses traction during braking causing a pogo effect.
The 16" wheel/tire combo is a holdover from days of hardtail chassis where the sidewall of the tire was part of the suspension.
Racers and performance builders eschew unsprung weight. Aren't cafes supposed to be performance bikes of a sort?
But in the final analysis, its to each their own in this area. Cafes are also style execizes.
I prefer the ride quality of light wheels. I do like the look of the low profile 16" tires. But one would have to cut down their sidestand.
