Had to have a go. An itch that needs to be scratched. Made my way over to Market Deeping this morning. Paul the sales man was very helpful and also very knowledgeable about the bikes. Took the 1190 out for a spin. First stop to adjust the screen, next stop to put some fuel in it cause the motor is gonna make me make it thirsty 
. Not too much drama lower down in the rev range but keep it singing and it delivers and the Akra pipe adds to the aural display. It makes you engage with the bike and you have to be in front of it. 3rd gear overtakes is a doddle and sometimes you can feel the front is willing to be coaxed higher. This is a demo bike so we keep it at the sensible side of fun. Seat is a bit hard after a few miles. A pheasant checked the the toughness of the mirror stalk and came a way well, seriously hurt. Found the road I was looking for but by that time an hour and a half was almost over. Made my way back and Paul handed me the keyes for the SA. Instantly felt familiar. So easy to ride and like the 1190 the gearbox is so much better. The difference of chain vs shaft. Seat is better and screen is better. This thing overtakes without thinking. Mind you the demo had 250 miles on it so I didn't explore the upper rpm range but short shifted at 7k rpm. Even then the pickup is effortless. Because of the rpm limit the overtakes are better done in 4th. Did have moment when twisting the throttle for an overtake and as I levelled with the car we hit a small crest in the road which helped the KTM lift the front. TC soon brought it down but man o man, what a motor. It dominates the bike. Overall a very good bike and a stonking motor. It either lugs you out of corners or fires you down a straight. It is not intimidating but handles very good for its size and the motor makes power very progressively as you would expect from a big V twin.
A few niggles though. There has to be cause I own a GSA
. The seat is not so comfy, the cruise control is a bit silly for being on the RH bar and I notice a bit of feedback at a steady 40mph. Not to worry about the last one, you soon accelerate out of it. The active suspension settings is not so effective as the BMW, meaning normal is good for me day to day but comfort is closer to normal than comfort. Back on the GSA for the ride home and I notice the more sit in feel as to the sit on feel of the KTM. The GSA is more of a tour bike, it feels like it, assuring you and comforts you. The ergonomics is better, the rear brake is better and the way the suspension deals with the lumps an bumps and hard braking adds to that feel. The KTM, both of them, are busy, engages you, makes you feel what is happening, makes you hear that engine even with a standard exhaust. I felt like a yobbo going through the villages . Surprisingly the SA to me is the one that feels better. Don't know what the missus would make of the pillion seat.
What I said to Paul at the end. I wish I had ridden the SA before I bought the GSA.
(The 1190R is massively tall. You will need some legs for that thing)
. Not too much drama lower down in the rev range but keep it singing and it delivers and the Akra pipe adds to the aural display. It makes you engage with the bike and you have to be in front of it. 3rd gear overtakes is a doddle and sometimes you can feel the front is willing to be coaxed higher. This is a demo bike so we keep it at the sensible side of fun. Seat is a bit hard after a few miles. A pheasant checked the the toughness of the mirror stalk and came a way well, seriously hurt. Found the road I was looking for but by that time an hour and a half was almost over. Made my way back and Paul handed me the keyes for the SA. Instantly felt familiar. So easy to ride and like the 1190 the gearbox is so much better. The difference of chain vs shaft. Seat is better and screen is better. This thing overtakes without thinking. Mind you the demo had 250 miles on it so I didn't explore the upper rpm range but short shifted at 7k rpm. Even then the pickup is effortless. Because of the rpm limit the overtakes are better done in 4th. Did have moment when twisting the throttle for an overtake and as I levelled with the car we hit a small crest in the road which helped the KTM lift the front. TC soon brought it down but man o man, what a motor. It dominates the bike. Overall a very good bike and a stonking motor. It either lugs you out of corners or fires you down a straight. It is not intimidating but handles very good for its size and the motor makes power very progressively as you would expect from a big V twin.A few niggles though. There has to be cause I own a GSA
. The seat is not so comfy, the cruise control is a bit silly for being on the RH bar and I notice a bit of feedback at a steady 40mph. Not to worry about the last one, you soon accelerate out of it. The active suspension settings is not so effective as the BMW, meaning normal is good for me day to day but comfort is closer to normal than comfort. Back on the GSA for the ride home and I notice the more sit in feel as to the sit on feel of the KTM. The GSA is more of a tour bike, it feels like it, assuring you and comforts you. The ergonomics is better, the rear brake is better and the way the suspension deals with the lumps an bumps and hard braking adds to that feel. The KTM, both of them, are busy, engages you, makes you feel what is happening, makes you hear that engine even with a standard exhaust. I felt like a yobbo going through the villages . Surprisingly the SA to me is the one that feels better. Don't know what the missus would make of the pillion seat.What I said to Paul at the end. I wish I had ridden the SA before I bought the GSA.
(The 1190R is massively tall. You will need some legs for that thing)
Oh, just remembered the missus said something about buying a new bike yesterday. Probably not important.
