I've now done 800 miles on my 1290R.
A few thoughts.
Around town it makes a silly noise,linked to euro 4 emissions I think,as it's like a sucking noise and then a flap closing .
Apart from that,it's bloody fantastic .
So bloody fast,yet loads of mid range.
The quickshifter is great,with the clutch basically redundant apart from around town .
Blat up through the box and then when coming to a roundabout,click click click 5,4,3 with a firm prod,and MTC stopping any locking up,then fire it out the other side.
Handling is astonishing,considering the 21/8 wheels.
Hill start is very useful,not that I particularly wanted it ,but now I've got it......
Love the TFT screen.
It's in a different league to any of the competition,who will be playing catch up now.
It's crystal clear in all weather.Has useful stuff like a great big yellow ICE WARNING when below 4 degrees tells you when a service is due lets you know side stand is down,etc etc.
Menu is great,with mine set up to access the heated seat and grips on the 2 shortcuts.
Fuel range is about 190 plus 30 reserve.
Love the phone holder/charger though I lost part of the clip that holds the lid shut and dealer replaced it.
Ergo seat comfy all day,screen on high setting is perfect for me at 6'1".
I think the winglet thingies do more to protect than the screen.
Leaving mates in Boulogne and heading to Germany tomorrow. Bumots going back on.
The 1290R is a great package .