Been out for a brief ride again today.
I must say that I’m astounded at how much better the new bikes are compared to the previous bikes.
I never gelled with the 2017 1290R.Could never quite say why.It just seemed a bit undefined and unfinished.
I know KTMs are supposed to be a bit raw-I’ve had a KTM in the garage continuously from 1998 until I sold my 1290R in late 2018.But there was always something missing with that last bike.Getting another 1290R wasn’t really on my radar until I rode this bike, as it was up for sale.
I was gobsmacked-everything about the bike is better than previously.The motor is utterly sublime-the fuelling is so much better.I can’t fault it. Where the old bike would shudder and stutter at very low revs, the new one just pulls away.It sounds better too !
KTM gearboxes have always been pretty good, certainly better than on any GS I’ve had. But again the new bike is in a different league.Probably the best gearbox and quick shifter I’ve ever had.
The handling is also fabulous.OK, I’ve got comparatively skinny rubber on 21/18 wheels , but by adopting the pannier tank idea as first featured on the 790 Adv, the c of g is so much lower and the bike just tips in then tracks a corner so neutrally and easily.
The TFT is a huge improvement on the previous bike.Even the nav guidance works well together with the KTM Nav app.
The fit and finish of the bike seems much better.The screen is much better-though I do have the taller S screen on my R.
The cubby hole with USB even takes my iPhone, FFS !
The backlit switchgear is another huge improvement .
Infact the only fault I can so far find with the bike is the bastard indicator switch.It’s crap.
Yes, I know you have to kind of push down and in , but it’s still a bit hit and miss.
But overall, the bike is in a totally different league to the previous model.
If you have the older bike and assume the newer bike is just a tad different, probably best not to try one as you’ll not want to give it back !!!!
A gratuitous pic from today.
