Jagex dealt with this issue and wanted to make the cape cosmetic only or try to create the capes only trigger certain kinds of OSRS gold high tier cape slot things but their was a massive backlash of individuals who awakened months obtaining these capes. I wouldnt say that the Max cape or the perk system are bad per-say, in games, it only needs some reworking. It makes sense having the max capes be the capes in Runescape, but becoming 99 are more of a time sink afterward a skill obstacle.
I would love a comp cape in OSRS for something for me to use but that I would not want it to have any special perks past the normal max cape stuff. Nobody uses maximum or comp anymore. The kiln capes now outclassed it. They did nerf the stats about the comp and max capes, and today with the release of wars retreat, there's absolutely no requirement for being maximum for the max guild.
Skillcapes have been problematic for quite a long time. Following their introduction in 2006 we found a massive increase in RWT and botting in 2007. Skills that were unworthy to max such as Firemaking and Herblore had a massive demand all of a sudden and RWTers only filled that gap. Correlation doesn't equal causation. Having lived it, I would be very inclined to believe that the interval between when capes were introduced along with the spike in RWT and bot activity you mentioned was also one in which Runescape saw a decent amount of growth.
Beyond this, what you are suggesting is that the act of getting individuals to play Runescape more will worsen the botting and RWT issues. I recall the change in mindset the release of skillcapes. It was a time prior to skillcapes. It looked like hardly anyone cared to get high stats, let alone get level 99 in futile or unenjoyable skills. Then after their launch everyone seemed to suddenly care.
Nowadays its much. The present playerbase is obsessed with efficacy, its absurd. I believe its hurting Runescape. There's a lot of dead material ingame, only because it isn't thought to be efficient. The efficiency mindset the skillcapes caused increased the requirement for cheating and RWT. The perks are also a big part of the issue, like IVIorphinz stated, however, it all began with the debut of skillcapes in my opinion.
Like a lot of people these days do not play for pleasure 14, I really feel. Most people are chasing after long term, mind numbing grinds because the playerbase for a whole has become so competitive with every other that those are the only items"that thing". It feels like people do not celebrate any mid-game development, and can not even be happy for somone who makes their first firecape or graceful set. In case it doesn't take hundreds of hours, it's not a real achievement apparently. I don't disagree with that since it's bound to happen so long there is hiscore and can be achieved right by buying gp, but however the accession of perks and max cape, although invite more people to commit time = more money for Jagex, is money earned via manipulation.
Over the last few weeks we've had a sudden increase in reports of people apparently using'bots' to play Runescape mechanically (which is in breach of Rule 7). Firstly, we want to let our honest players (and that is the huge majority of you) know that we are aware of this issue, and that we're taking immediate steps to tackle it. We currently ban about 8000 accounts every week for trying this sort of cheating, and Old School RS Gold for a very long time that kept things in check. Things have moved, however, and that is no longer, therefore we are in the process of updating our detection and prevention systems. In addition, we have logs of historic action, so we'll have the ability to ensure that dishonesty does not pay. Please bear with us while we sort out it! Additionally, there are ways that you can help us, so please continue reading.