So, first run with my gorgeous girl on board the KTM today.
We did around 4 1/2hrs hours, Gloucester/Monmouth/Skenfrith/Abergavenny/Hay-on-wye/Leominster/Ledbury/home. Greasy gritty roads in places, but a lovely day for it.
2 hrs then lunch here: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.905673,-3.1936728,3a,75y,273.53h,93.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sK3Kwn1rLIlEPXsjSsXkynQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Small complaints of numb bum after 4 hrs but all good. The seats aren't GS comfortable for us, but certainly not bad. Would need to break out the Airhawk if out for longer.
She found the exhaust note less wearing than the GS - same helmets/earplugs/Akras.
Slow speed maneuvers were a breeze. The GS isn't bad, but happily the balance I had on the 990SMT has been carried over to the 1290. Like it. Because of this, and it's narrower stance, filtering is a joy even with a pillion. Like that too.
The power for overtakes really does make the GS seem like yesterdays bike now. In every other way the power of the GS is more than sufficient.
Comfort mode for a few rough sections was excellent, but she said the street mode was perfectly fine too. I agree.
Rok straps were really simple to fit and held a roll bag on top of the Pelicase easily. Slid one of the loops onto the open ended rear grab rails and the other to the rear rack plate - simps.
Couple of gripes:
I put the original battery back in before our ride (I'd fitted a light weight Lithium one) to rule out poor heated grip performance being the result of a less powerful battery. Same. The grips are really poor compared to the GS. Will get this checked.
Roads were filthy in places. The protection from stock is very poor. Wife's lower legs quite dirty after less than 200 miles. She did 1500 miles or so in the alps with almost no dirt after each days ride. GS has a Mudsling and Puig hugger fitted - it's a real shame they don't make anything for the 1290 - I mean literally nothing, not that I can find online. If you know of ow't for the rear wheel do tell... Lots of bike cleaning required, nearly all rear end.
Front brakes effective, but you need at least two fingers to pull the bike up sharply.
Need a bar bag or something - the GS has a small storage compartment on top of the tank - good for ear plugs, debit card for fuel bla bla. May buy a small bag to fit the mobile phone holder to do this job.
............................................................................................................................................................................................................
This bike is certainly giving the GSA a run for its money. Is it a better bike, for me? Possibly. They're both great bikes. If I had to do another Euro trip with my better half it would be the GSA, that's for sure. The pannier setup, level of protection and general comfort easily surpass what's on offer from the 1290. Day or weekend rides? I would choose the 1290 - because the day would be more memorable. If I was solo through Europe, I would choose the 1290, make do without panniers somehow and make sure the Airhawk was packed!
I hope this tiny review helps someone if they're wondering about either bike.
We did around 4 1/2hrs hours, Gloucester/Monmouth/Skenfrith/Abergavenny/Hay-on-wye/Leominster/Ledbury/home. Greasy gritty roads in places, but a lovely day for it.
2 hrs then lunch here: https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.905673,-3.1936728,3a,75y,273.53h,93.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sK3Kwn1rLIlEPXsjSsXkynQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656
Small complaints of numb bum after 4 hrs but all good. The seats aren't GS comfortable for us, but certainly not bad. Would need to break out the Airhawk if out for longer.
She found the exhaust note less wearing than the GS - same helmets/earplugs/Akras.
Slow speed maneuvers were a breeze. The GS isn't bad, but happily the balance I had on the 990SMT has been carried over to the 1290. Like it. Because of this, and it's narrower stance, filtering is a joy even with a pillion. Like that too.
The power for overtakes really does make the GS seem like yesterdays bike now. In every other way the power of the GS is more than sufficient.
Comfort mode for a few rough sections was excellent, but she said the street mode was perfectly fine too. I agree.
Rok straps were really simple to fit and held a roll bag on top of the Pelicase easily. Slid one of the loops onto the open ended rear grab rails and the other to the rear rack plate - simps.
Couple of gripes:
I put the original battery back in before our ride (I'd fitted a light weight Lithium one) to rule out poor heated grip performance being the result of a less powerful battery. Same. The grips are really poor compared to the GS. Will get this checked.
Roads were filthy in places. The protection from stock is very poor. Wife's lower legs quite dirty after less than 200 miles. She did 1500 miles or so in the alps with almost no dirt after each days ride. GS has a Mudsling and Puig hugger fitted - it's a real shame they don't make anything for the 1290 - I mean literally nothing, not that I can find online. If you know of ow't for the rear wheel do tell... Lots of bike cleaning required, nearly all rear end.
Front brakes effective, but you need at least two fingers to pull the bike up sharply.
Need a bar bag or something - the GS has a small storage compartment on top of the tank - good for ear plugs, debit card for fuel bla bla. May buy a small bag to fit the mobile phone holder to do this job.
............................................................................................................................................................................................................
This bike is certainly giving the GSA a run for its money. Is it a better bike, for me? Possibly. They're both great bikes. If I had to do another Euro trip with my better half it would be the GSA, that's for sure. The pannier setup, level of protection and general comfort easily surpass what's on offer from the 1290. Day or weekend rides? I would choose the 1290 - because the day would be more memorable. If I was solo through Europe, I would choose the 1290, make do without panniers somehow and make sure the Airhawk was packed!
I hope this tiny review helps someone if they're wondering about either bike.