Ok. So. Very impressed.
They're pricing my 1290 and quoting for a new one.
Engine: Refined. Quiet. Smooth. Oddly there are some noticeable bar vibes at certain rpm's. As been said you can pull away in 3rd. So I did the same in 4th - no issue. So I did the same in 5th - now you would imagine that would stall or shake to death, but no. Obviously you had to slip the clutch a little more but you'll be amazed how quickly you can get the clutch out pulling away in fifth! Appreciate you wouldn't normally do this, but what that translates to in every day riding is ease-of-use. Those occasions when you go to pull away and you forgotten to change gear… You can just slip the clutch a bit and off you go. I tried riding as much as I could at one point in fifth gear only and was amazed how much of my riding I could do just in that gear including overtaking. So for touring it would be brilliant.
Gearbox: it seems a bit more snappy and to be fair it only had 50 miles on the clock so it will still be tight, but all good. I think the quick shifter is 30% better than my bike but not more really.
Manners: Low speed manners are amazing considering it's an adventure bike. I will say though that my current 1290 seems to tip into corners at speed slightly nicer. This seems to go against what some reviews have said about this bike. In all likelihood having the fuel higher up probably pushes the top of the bike over in corners on my bike. The new one has the lower tanks and the different way it tips in at speed was noticeable. I played around with the suspension settings but to be perfectly honest I found auto was great. It seemed to be comfortable in a straight line and very progressive in the corners. The anti dive is incredible! Riding home on mine I tried some hard braking and the dive on the old S isn't bad at all really, but even so the new bike felt amazing. A few times I deliberately entered the corner too fast and applied lots of front brake whilst lent over… The bike was remarkably unsettled and almost encourages you to be a hooligan into the bends!
Wind: 90mph and no eyes/head shake. They've sorted the turbulent air thank goodness, so no more spinning eyes on the motorways. Touring wise this was essential. I'm 5'9".
Ergo's: Good
Pillion
See pic. Pillion feet slightly outside riders and more comfortable angle. Flatter seat angle I think.
General: One of those bikes where you think you're in 3rd but actually pulling strongly in 4th. 5th gear at 30mph no issues at all.
Quiet.
So quiet. All you hear at cruising speed is wind noise! Wheelies
Seat comfort
though not as bad as I thought it would be. Uncomfortable after 1 1/2hrs. PP seats essential.
Most importantly, I think applying the R looks to the S is possible pretty much. Just the black frame might need wrapping if you want orange. Rear frame hopefully removable for painting. Blue tank panels would need buying and not fussed about the white headlight mask - think its a little OTT.
I'll post more if I think of anything. Nice bike. VERY impressed.
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Pillion 
though not as bad as I thought it would be. Uncomfortable after 1 1/2hrs. PP seats essential. 
nice be back riding
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