That’s exactly how I felt when I got rid of my GS earlier this year. Absolutely no regrets so far, and as you say, the next GS will have to be phenomenal to get me back to BMW.
For me, it's all about the ownership experience as a whole. I like the guys at Cotswold and they've always gone the extra mile for me. It's really important to get that right and so far the few KTM dealers I've visited just aren't up with the program by comparison. I've had dealer staff walk 1m from me and completely blank me....this blows my mind. Alex and his men at Cotswold usually make the time to say 'hi how you doing' and actually sound like they mean it. Not always, but usually. There are guys who buy a new bike, sometimes more than one, every year from Cotswold. There's a good reason why! Yet here they are still saying cheers to a bloke who's had his GSA since Sept 14 and hasn't bought another BMW since! That's how it should be in every dealership....and the smaller the dealership the more critical this aspect is. Make time for the customer. Call them twice a year and ask 'How's that GS going?....I've got a deal for you right here Chris on a new one, come and have a look'. And I would. When I started a new business 15 years ago a mate said....you need to read this Chris: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fisXDQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=dale+carnegie&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjcsrmM95vdAhWsJcAKHQtfA7MQ6AEIKTAA#v=onepage&q=dale%20carnegie&f=false It's a cliche now, but if anyone who want's to do well in a sales role (or life in general TBO) hasn't read and understood it's value they should take up carpet cleaning instead.
Sorry....gone off on one! But I think I'm not alone in thinking like this. If only I ruled the world
The above said, right now, the 1290 suits, average dealer experience or not. That says something, doesn't it?