1290 v 1190

[dsb79]

Well it looks like I'm turning to the dark side!

I've read most of the books but still not sure, the 1290 looks like a monster with lots of toys. My question is is it worth the extra ££££, are the heated seats standard? Has anyone been on one yet, spoke to dealer today who said there demo should be in in two weeks time so booked it for Saturday. Can see me spending some cash.

What's the real life cost of owning the 1190 service costs, tyre life Ect.

 

[Giles]

I can't really comment 'cos I've not had a (proper) first service and I'm still on my first set of tyres. But they're both animals with a bonkers engine so if you ride it like it's meant to be ridden, I'd expect to get no more than about 4k out of a rear tyre.

I'm very happy with my 1190 and have no desire to look at the 1290 yet. So by yet, I mean that I'm still at the age where I'm having fun having a single blokes back road hoon, a bimble up the odd byway and fire road and the odd day off blat with the lads. I can see a time (retirement from work I guess) where I'd be spending more time in Europe for trips, and a fair bit of that two up. That's when I reckon I'd be looking at something like the 1290 ...

 

[DutchBryn]

The big stand out difference between the two is surely the semi-active suspension. Bwm-like behaviour under braking. Perhaps they might start offering this on other models. But for now it's being rolled out on the 1290.

Well it looks like I'm turning to the dark side!

I've read most of the books but still not sure, the 1290 looks like a monster with lots of toys. My question is is it worth the extra ££££, are the heated seats standard? Has anyone been on one yet, spoke to dealer today who said there demo should be in in two weeks time so booked it for Saturday. Can see me spending some cash.

What's the real life cost of owning the 1190 service costs, tyre life Ect.

 

[Davy F]

Servicing costs are pretty good so far. KTM are quite flexible due to the 9k intervals and tyre life out of the Conti's is exceptional. I changed my rear tyre at 2800 miles last year as I knew I'd be covering about 4k miles during my summer jaunt in Europe. Needn't have bothered as the wear on the new one was so low, despite high cruising speeds and lots of hard acceleration many times. I've now covered over 5k with the newer rear and there's still loads left. Some US riders are saying as much as 8k out of a rear, but as always, everyone's riding styles will differ. Fuel consumption is vastly improved over the 950/990 motors too and I get around 50 mpg on average.

Here's a pic of my stats after coming home from my 2014 trip.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

How do you get that mpg Dave?

My bike's up to 2,500 miles now and my average over that is currently 41.5mpg. I've had one tank down to 32mpg whilst hooning in the Peaks

I agree about the tyres, my rear is still looking surprisingly good, I'd thought that the 1190 would shred them. Generally I used to get around 4,500 miles out of a rear on my GS

Andres

 

[Davy F]

How do you get that mpg Dave?

Andres

I must be a girl......

Otherwise, I don't know. I think I ride quite smoothly and reasonably quick and those figures were achieved over 17 days, so I wasn't exactly hanging around. The bike has never really fell below 45mpg.

 

[cookie]

sub 45mpg here too, and i've found the computer readout is a tad optimistic.

against my preconceptions, i like the electronic suspension, but i'm now thinking it's a thing best embraced totally, so i reckon active, as on the 1290 is probably the way forward. i'll know more when i've ridden one