I rode the SA first for about four hours. It's amazing how different it is from the 1190. The screen and bigger frontal area makes it way more comfortable for (fast) cruising/touring. The screen is a vast improvement and even though I haven't received my new MRA VarioScreen, I'm already thinking that maybe I should have ordered the bits and pieces to alter my own 1190.
The power and way this thing gathers speed is amazing. It was lifting the front wheel in the first three gears and even under hard throttle in fourth, the wheel was hovering off the Tarmac ! If you think the 1190 is ballistic, the 1290SA is in the next league. And the torque....... It's all you could ever reasonably need. The engine is smoother than the 1190 too and the heat issue has been sorted with the rear exhaust wrap and small heat deflector thingies.
The suspension is a revelation. I played about with the settings and it was just brilliant. The way you could be in comfort mode, then go crazy without the suspension tying itself in knots as it adapted to my throttle inputs, well, no one will be disappointed. The weight of the bike has been well balanced and it feels so light on its wheels that it doesn't feel much different to its smaller brother.
The menus are slightly different, better integrated I think and the cruise control is so easy to set and use. Some people have complained about the CC being on the throttle side, but I found no difficulty in using it, so either I'm a genius or they are feking idiots.
Comfort-wise, it was fine for the time I was riding it, although I believe my comfort seat on my 1190 is better than the standard seat supplied. The ergos are virtually identical, so no complaints there.
The only thing I am not fond off is the colour. I'd like more orange in the paint scheme and I prefer a shiney finish rather than the satin/Matt finish they've employed. But that's it and colour scheme aside, anyone lucky enough to be waiting on one is not going to be disappointed. You lucky lucky barstewards !
As for comparing the SA to the Yamaha Tracer. The Tracer is lighter and much cheaper......the end.
Is the 1290 SA worth the premium price ? If I could get away with it, hell yes ! Will I be rushing out to change ? Damn no !!! As much as this bike is another leap forward, my 1190 does all I need and more. At least that's what I'm telling myself over and over again.
