*The 1190 R.....Here we go Again :-)

[1coolbanana]

Time to fess up I guess.....

The new kid



After much deliberation, well I guess not that much really, an 1190 R came home.
I have to admit that I was not a fan when they first came out for a bunch of uninformed and biased reasons but things have changed and it seems to make a lot more sense now for the riding I do with only the fuel range maybe needing addressing.



I have to put a good word in for Newcastle KTM, if it wasnt for them, I would have bought something else most likely.
They have been awesome every step of the way and even now, after the sale, they are still awesome.
In the last 30 years of bike shops, this is the first I can honestly say has treated me right.

A big thanks to the guys that put me onto them............its your fault

So the first thing to do was get it home and introduce them to each other, although this relationship will be short lived!



The Akra can that came with it, isnt my taste and will will be sold off to recoup some funds and the Wings shorty in black went on.



What a sweet looking can it is too.

Next on the list to get sorted was Sat nav mount, heated clothing wiring, cruise control, extension power socket for the rear for charging stuff in the rear bag and air pump and UHF setup.

I was gong to make a mounting setup as whats on the market doesnt seem that great but the only one that looked half decent and rigid is the SW Motech mount so I went with that one and swapped mirrors out while I was at it.



Next was the rack from the 990 which Ive been hanging onto to see if I could use it and that was an easy conversion after a little machining and reworking



And now she fit like a beaut



I decided to buy Ozzy made B&B bash plate but that proved a total disaster and had to persevere and wait for replacement parts to arrive to get that on.
Yeah, aussie, aussie, aussie,

[darren]

That is a nice looking bike i must say

[1coolbanana]

You forgot the bit about being a glutton for punishment

[Hoots]

You forgot the bit about being a gluten for punishment

Beautiful bit of gear

[darren]

You forgot the bit about being a gluten for punishment

I was trying to offer you positive reinforcement

[Hoots]

You forgot the bit about being a gluten for punishment

I was trying to offer you positive reinforcement

Early days, but what are your impressions comparing this one to the 990?

I guess I was thinking in terms of rideability, but you get right into the guts of these things so quality considerations would be interesting also

[1coolbanana]

A few thoughts after a 1000k's
Its comfortable although the seat is flat with not much padding.
The suspension is very firm and harsh but it needs a lot more break in before Im able to judge.
Certainly not in the league of the 990 with the Wilbers etc but pretty good initial impression.
Will need work in the future.
Even with the 6500 rpm break in redline its scary fast, the horsepower is amazing and also very smooth.
The fuelling really does seem very good and more efficient than the 990.
Certainly a much bigger more spacious cockpit compared to the 990 with quite a noticeable increase in reach to the bars.
Handling is excellent and feels very nimble and light.
Brakes and power are phenomenal!
The different riding modes are brilliant and just work without being intrusive, you really dont notice it working.

So far the negs:
The seat gets really REALLY hot! Will need to address that. I think I may have that under control.
The sides of the tank get really hot too.
Fuel consumption is good if taking it easy but as soon as you get into it, it sucks it down so range IS a big issue.
Im struggling getting comfortable standing but maybe I just need to get used to it and make a few mods.
If you thought a 990 was complicated...... Damn this thing is complicated when you take the tank or seat off, the canbus and wiring is scary!
The biggest neg to me is looks.....I wish it looked like a big orange 990!

Hard to compare the ride and ability to the 990 yet because its so different but so far with my limited skill level it "feels" lighter, more nimble, more planted and handling is impressive both on and off road.
I have to wait until I get myself in the shit to really compare it because thats when the 990 really shined.

Another 1000k two day loop tomorrow and it will be hot and punishing so that should give me more insight into what its really like to live with.
Hopefully wont run out of gas

[Hoots]

A few thoughts after a 1000k's
Its comfortable although the seat is flat with not much padding.
The suspension is very firm and harsh but it needs a lot more break in before Im able to judge.
Certainly not in the league of the 990 with the Wilbers etc but pretty good initial impression.
Will need work in the future.
Even with the 6500 rpm break in redline its scary fast, the horsepower is amazing and also very smooth.
The fuelling really does seem very good and more efficient than the 990.
Certainly a much bigger more spacious cockpit compared to the 990 with quite a noticeable increase in reach to the bars.
Handling is excellent and feels very nimble and light.
Brakes and power are phenomenal!
The different riding modes are brilliant and just work without being intrusive, you really dont notice it working.

So far the negs:
The seat gets really REALLY hot! Will need to address that. I think I may have that under control.
The sides of the tank get really hot too.
Fuel consumption is good if taking it easy but as soon as you get into it, it sucks it down so range IS a big issue.
Im struggling getting comfortable standing but maybe I just need to get used to it and make a few mods.
If you thought a 990 was complicated...... Damn this thing is complicated when you take the tank or seat off, the canbus and wiring is scary!
The biggest neg to me is looks.....I wish it looked like a big orange 990!

Hard to compare the ride and ability to the 990 yet because its so different but so far with my limited skill level it "feels" lighter, more nimble, more planted and handling is impressive both on and off road.
I have to wait until I get myself in the shit to really compare it because thats when the 990 really shined.

Another 1000k two day loop tomorrow and it will be hot and punishing so that should give me more insight into what its really like to live with.
Hopefully wont run out of gas

Thanks for that - impressive that it feels lighter and more nimble than the 990

I love the look of the 990 - bare bones, and with the big orange tanks - distinctive quasi-rally feel - but this new bike looks sensational also, albeit in a different way - I reckon they'd sell 2/3 of them on looks alone ...

Be interesting to hear how it feels after another long ride

Presumably there are some good fuel solutions for these things?

[1coolbanana]

Presumably there are some good fuel solutions for these things?

Not really any that Id like

Fuel bladders, dont like the idea, they stink up anything and everything they go near.
5 litre jerry can, cumbersome but better than nothing, will do for now.
Safari dont do a tank, only a rear tank, its so offensively ugly, I coudnt live with it.
Camel rear tank, not too bad but for $700 you only get 6.2 litres but its the most viable at this stage.
I like intergration but unfortunately there arent many choices.

Ideally Id love to graft a 1290 SA 30 litre tank onto it but dont know if its even viable but thats the path Im looking into at the moment

Camel rear tank

[Hoots]

Camel looks good

Can see that an integrated solution would be best, but apparently the new 5L Desert Fox bladders don't smell ...

I've got an old Liquid Containment bladder that stinks like you wouldn't believe - haven't used it for a couple of years as a result