didn't you just get back from the norcal bdr? kudos to your work ethic man. thanks for another top notch vid. personally i'm still hung up on the tuareg but damn those ponies are enticing
bought a new white 2023 1290 SAR a month ago in germany. 2023 is the same as 2024 model and the price was over 6000€ cheaper than in konfigurator. They did not sell good in 2024 and some are still in stores. 1390 is coming, but will be a lot more expensive i think. So i took my chance and love my 1290R. A new BMW 1300GS was 10.000€ more here and KTM is more fun to ride in my opinion
Bought one Sept 2023 after 7 years on a 1200GS. No regrets after 5600 miles so far incl a 6 day 1800 mile tour. I originally went to the dealer to purchase an 890R but found the 1290SAR more laid back for touring. Sure, it kicks you in the backside if you gun the throttle but just as happy to cruise. My worry was reliability, but came with 4 year manufacture warranty. No issues so far - fingers crossed.
NO. I've heard too many Reliability Horror stories. If even half are true that scares me. Plus I'm now hearing the company is in financial trouble. I'm not a racer. I don't have to have the fastest bike. I choose dependability. Plus its Fugly.
I definitely would not buy over a GS. But I get the people who do. I’ve had two new tiger 1200s, a 1290r, and now the GS1300. No way would I give up my GS but I’m definitely a 90-95% street rider.
@@1993kramer had a GS for a while and a great machine for road work….arguably quicker turning and more stable but love the 1290R for shits and giggles and the off road manners are excellent. Horses for courses i guess. Just enjoy the ride
I always thought well of the GS and own one now. But, to be completely honest the Super Adventure R is SO much better off road it surprises me. You can feel the terrain very well which allows amazing control, but even though you can feel the terrain the suspension soaks up the impacts so well, the compression and rebound can be adjusted so easily and tune nicely. The 1250 or 1300 GS is slightly better on the pavement, so if you do more pavement riding than dirt road or trail riding, the GS is the better option for pure comfort. The engine on the Super Adventure is so responsive. I love the GS engine, it is really good, but the 1290 engine is just a beast on steroids, completely insane. I conclude that if you love raw power, race performance over a slightly more dependable, less beasty BMW engine than it is the bike for you. Some will prefer the tamer BMW though and I understand this too.
Bought it '21 when this new model was introduced. I ride 95% offroad, i was thinking... yeah the 890r is my bike. But after the testrides it was a nobrainer. This bike is so FUN! The engine engine engine. I now it's heavyer, i dont care. I love this bike. 35 000km on the odo and zero problems, just like my previous 1090r. The 890 vs 1290 it's like marriage, yes the wife is beatiful, fun and has a good sense of humor but holymoly the mistress has got big tits!
So I have a 1090. Paid off. Love it. Should I buy the 1290 and sell the 1090? Thanks for the opinion in advance. I can afford it just don't know if it's worth it
@damlucky13 I've had 3 of these. A 2016 1190, a 2020 1290, and now the new one, 2024. The 2023/24 are the best yet. Huge improvement. If you're on the fence, buy one. You won't regret it.
Congratulations to big rock moto this gentleman has nailed this review he left nothing out I do own this particular bike and I am very happy with it,again the review covered it all good and bad pro and cons,yes I did have the front end wobble very disappointing but with research is a very easy fix I purchased this bike to go on my Alaska trip from Alberta I bought all the ktm add ons because I am a bit stupid that way got lots of compliments on the bike and if you want to show off to the competition along the way a quick twist of the throttle and that is well executed. Thanks again super review.
I did 15000 kms since July 2023 on this bike. Onroad, gravel and sand. It’s so much fun, no comparison to my previous 1250 GS. Thank God the GS got stolen - I needed an urgent replacement and immediately fell in love with it. Still just love it. The downside: three breakdowns. Two of them far from home that let me stranded in Romania and Slovakia. Problems seem to be fixed now under warranty. If it got stolen today I definitely would buy it again.
this is the only new ktm that can be halfway trusted at this point. dark days ahead for big orange when the current 790/890 all need new heads and cams.
I admire this bike for the bonkers thing that it is, how crazy capable it is in the right hands (Chris Birch), but for me, I'd be going V-Strom 800DE and getting it tuned, going custom suspension, and removing weight.... the 776cc now makes 91 wheel HP in the aftermarket.
I find power mods on bikes are kind of a waste of money. Just ride the thing IMO. There are exceptions like if the fueling off idle is just awful and it runs really hot. If you find you are outriding the suspension then that's probably worth upgrading.
I don't care if you find them a waste of money. I don't. 76 hp and 53 ft-lb increased to 91 hp and 61 ft-lb. Sounds much better. Responds better. Less weight. No, I don't want to buy some 600 pound monster costing twice as much. I understand that at a price point, things like suspension and brakes and other things will be cost-cut. I get that. Thankfully I can enjoy much more about a machine at this price point than most, with the help of quality parts that the factory didn't want to put on it for price limitations. It's not my fault the bureaucrats ruin factory motorcycles and tax the crap out of riders who like bikes.
As reliability is a critical factor in a bike review, you need to figure out how to assimilate data and provide an assessment even if it is non scientific.
@@mattbetts3885 honestly it really doesnt help. all bikes will have an issue, even the godly japanese bikes. but KTM's LC8c issue is the most worrysome. plus their services lacking in some key areas doesnt really help make things better. how much did you travel during the lifetime of that thing? I'm considering getting either an africa twin or 890 or 1290(If I can find a decent deal)
As far as I saw from mechanics and owners feedback in the internet the only non reliable big KTMs are 790 and 890, and the 1290 engine doesn't have any known issues. I'm not an owner of one so it's not from my personal experience.
As a Proud owner of a 23 1290sar, all I can say is its great. *Things Ive done, added grip pads to tank for my legs, enlarged kickstand foot, wings exhaust, rally pegs, headlight protector, and ...(handle bar risers, sorry, not sorry 😅) I keep the right mirror positioned to view when standing, and left seated level. *I dont ride super hard, dont have the area, but I love getting on the throttle, and I avg 47mpg in street and sport modes, not sure why your getting 41. *Downsides, you will go through tires faster, and not necessarily bad, just weird, standing on the ball of my foot, my right heel comes down on the exhaust shield, not much room between where the exhaust comes out amd the footpeg. I came off a Hayabusa, then a wr450f, ktm 450excf, ktm690 enduro r, then this one, and I wasnt a fan of ADV bikes, reason I went through the others, but its got power, its comfortable, and cruise control is really nice.
I have 2022 1290r Bought last year in ktm dealer new one 0km For 18 month i make 32000km I can say motor is good but electronic sucks!!!! Last 3000km bike star to lose cruse control and mtc at the same time during riding. I f i stop and turn off the bike and than start bike, it will happen again in next 5 or 255km for sure Few hours ago i came back from the triip 3500km I will go next week and talk to the dealer to clean that software If you ask me will i buy this bike again? I dont know.... i love this bike very much and it's really fun to ride but for 20000 € that shouldn't happen Also Japanese manufacturers don't have bike like 1290r
I have the SAS and every time I ride it, at some point in the ride, I find myself saying “Oh my God!” In a good way!! Just so fun to ride. Could it use some refinement? Sure. But my goodness it is fun to turn the handle.
I really want to buy one once Harley buys back my Lemon PanAmerica. 💩 also I can’t help but imagine Kip from Napoleon Dynamite whenever I hear your voice with a helmet on 😂 great review as always. 👍🏻
I own one (23 same bike). I have owned many adventure bikes and this is my favorite. Killer value as the 23 was marked down $5500 and no freight or setup.
I don’t understand why we shouldn’t use bar risers. I have installed a bar riser to my GS1300, and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made on my bike.
Stay away from ktm if you value your time and money. They are 💩. No reliability. They keep having issues . My 2023 sas was at the dealer 5-6 time in 3 months of ownership for 29 days . Look at forums , the people are NOT exaggerating. You value your time and money, don’t buy.
I own a 2015 1290 SA - the one they called the "T" in 2016. I've got almost 40k miles with zero issues. I understand the 890 and 790 are having some issues, but don't throw out the baby with the wash water! 45 year rider and this is hands down the best bike I've owned and I've owned some cool bikes!
Comprehensive review, but I suggest to invest in some scales, as the weight given by the manufacturer is often a bit too optimistic. A Tiger 1200 and a 1300 GS are closer to 260 than to 240 kg in real life. Would add some value to your content and motivate the manufacturer to be more honest. As I own a 2021 1290 SuperDuke GT, I can say at least something about the reliability of my bike over 26.000 km: One leaking fork seal. That`s it. Had a V-Strom 1050 before and loved it. But the KTM Braaaaap is way more fun. But if you want to bumble around: Don`t buy a KTM, they do not show "Ready to race" at every screen start up just for fun.
I would rather have an 890 but prefer the history of this engine and where it’s made. It’ll either be this or the Kove 800x as it has a different top end as my new bike coming from a 660 thumper.
I bought a 21' with only 10 000 kms and street tyres that shook violently when I took my hands of the bars or even just stood up, and that was at low speeds like 50 kms/h. Three different KTM dealers told me that this is normal! Thankfully I got my money back since the bike also insisted on pulling to the right. Many other aspects of the bike were great but I didn't feel safe. It also felt too top heavy to go off road for whimp like me. And I can not understand how Ian can rate as almost as good on road as a GS. I find that the GS, and even older models, steers much better.
THIS bike makes a very nice impression, but the company has managed to scare many ( like myself ) potential buyers away, by their customer service / treatment..... 🤷♂🤷♂ What about the new Guzzi - Stelvio ?? You seem to systematically, avoid this bike 🤔🤔 ... Or I've skipped an episode And - congrats on the new watch ‼‼😀😀
About the ACC - after using it I decided that I don't want it on a bike. These things can catapult you out of the seat, if some jack ass places his/her vehicle, even partially in front of you.... The bike WILL abruptly brake, and if you ride "hands-free" that moment - no good 🤢🤢 So, you don't need to regret not having it on a bike. Ordinary CC is great to have - to relief the throttle hand. And - no need to mention - as usually - A GREAT(EST) review 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Have owned 3 1290's SD, ADVR and ADVS - Never had any reliability issues. Dash issues on early ADVR. That's it. Miles and miles of smiles. 1390 Adventure? Take my money!
Ya know…this internet vitriol spewed toward KTM is…valid. They certainly are a “premium” machine, they come damn near kitted out to do anything you can throw at them, just grab a set of panniers or saddle bags. Premium suspension, premium parts all over these bikes…and there lies the problem. All those premium parts distract you from KTM’s one major problem…reliability. I paid less for a “lesser” bike in my transalp…but my piece of mind knowing I’ll never be questioning anything when I go to the garage for the morning work commute and my bike starts. Every. Single. Time. Keep your overpriced and overrated outsourced Austrian junk. Long term reliability and longevity mean more.
had a 2019, great bike, just too many weird electric issues and general reliablity issues on mine. GS 70,000km and counting and solid as a rock. But i get why people go orange, they do look and go like stink.
3 years ago I looked at everything out there and ended up with a GS which I use for everything from Baja off road to riding the 3 flags. Nothing since has changed my mind.
I have bought 2 bikes now off a big part from your reviews and I must say up to now they been accurate, I had an Africa Twin dct and loved it , then off your review I bought the BMW GS1250 A , very good bike also and iv just bought a 2024 KTM 1290 SAR , up to now all I can say is fuel economy not great and not much room 2 up but we are both big people
My 2cents over reliability reports in the internet. One falling tree makes more noise than a forest growing. The issues exist for some, and they are serious on particular models, not this one. Had the previous generation2018 S for 3 years, sold it with 50.000 km on the clock, got the current model one. Not a single breakdown or left stranded anywhere.
Reliability is always a priority for big adv, as is comfort. I really want one of these but the company looks like going broke, add reliability and it is simply to much money- or simply to many hours of work to risk. I would prefer the KTM but will buy the BMW or Yamaha.
The only true issue is the giant silencer and lack of exciting sound for a 1.3L twin. Otherwise: go 1 tooth smaller front sprocket, go some proper off-road tyres, and Bob is your uncle.
I guesss if i were to pick on a few things that should be pointed out, I would say: 1. The grab rails are pointed the wrong way. Pointing them forward may look cool but in a crash, they can grab your riding gear and drag you along the road or trail; i do think on reviews of big ADV Bikes going forward that you should point out that BMW has added a major maintenance issue in that you need to replace the driveshaft at X miles. So when evaluating a bike with a shaft or a chain, the reality of doing a shaft replacement is more equivalent to replacing a chain twice. 3. Windshield adjustment sucks on the KTM
I've got around 6000 miles on my 23. Not a single program "yet". If you are 6 foot or taller you will definitely want a taller seat, as the riding position is a little cramped for your legs. The chain slap is pretty annoying off-road if not tensioned just right, and my right heal hits the exhaust guard when standing. Otherwise the most fun you can have on two wheels.
Hey nice try with the night shot in the beginning, the idea was there but execution was lack luster. Try whats called a practical light next time. Basically its just a light behind the subject (the bike) but in the shot. Could be another bike with its headlights on, or some lights on light stands behind the bike, adds a bit of a hairlight effect to the subject. Try it out, best of luck m8.
I always use Sport mode off-road, not because I’m Chris Burch but because I like the quick throttle connection feeling. The other modes change the feeling as well as the power. I once used rain mode when I was riding on black ice through snowy mountain passes, otherwise always Sport.
The camshaft is just going to melt in a year. Otherwise it instantly beats the BMW because it has a proper brake light instead of that stupid BMW integrated turn signal brake light nonsense.
Can't disagree with anything you said. Love my 2023, and puts a smile on my face every ride. I only hope it proves to be reliable. Only some minor things I wish were better; The controls lighting missed some switches. Bike is very sensitive to voltage drops and will set the warning light just by doing some menu diving while engine is off. Original seat not very comfortable, so went with the rally seat as I need more legroom anyway. Some head shake at higher speeds, and is a common complaint. Don't regret my purchase in any way, except for the money I spent in accessories 🤣 (tall screen, headlight protector, Bark Busters, Outback Mototek crash bars and skid plate, Double Take mirrors, Givi Outback bags, S-W Motech tankbag, kickstand foot, bar risers (I'm 6'6"), rally seat, Denali lights, Nautalis horn)
@@johnm8622 my hobby is reading and learning about bikes. I was going to buy a ktm but read on forums and reddit for a few years before buying my first bike. I wanted a ktm so bad it hurt. BUT I'm a person who keeps things literally forever. I'm still driving my 89 f250 , 97 Toyota T100. 07 Sequoia. Long term reliability is the only thing that matters to me. Long story short.. older ktm seems to be better. I've seen quite a few 640s on to forums and for sale that had 35 thousand + miles. The quality control of today is not great either.
I find every time I ride my KTM 2022 1290 SAR so addicting with it's power but yet so manageable it suits me for what I use it for and I can have a blast at the same time, it brings out the kid in me at 64 years old and with the technology that KTM puts in the tech pack, of this beast, it looks out for you when you make mistakes better than any other bike in its class. I have to remind myself it's not a dirt bike, it's a beast of an adventure bike that is so capable, and still needs to be respected because it's a powerful beast. Did I mention it's fun to ride?
Not interested. The only reason I listened too this one is because your the best reviewer. It was cool to hear what it’s all about at the same time. Thanks.
Ian, you have to test ride the 1300GS with the new sport suspension. It is really an upgrade coming from previous versions of this particular feature. Not simply "GSA shocks" anymore... Though I must admit that your GS looks boring even in those new plastics you put on.
The table lacks a reliability rating, which is very important for a touring enduro motorcycle. And with BMW, any malfunction will annoy you until you go to the dealer. It's a little different on a KTM or Honda.
Where is the comparisment between this and the S. I understand the upgrade to the R on the 890 makes more sense since offroading on those machines is more doable. But i can't see alot of people doing technical stuff/ jumps etc on this machine due to the weight. So the suspension of the R version.. it it worth it... i don't know...
The super adventure R might really surprise you. Coming from an 890R with 270mm xplor pro suspension I thought the 1290 would be useless off road. But it’s far better than I expected. Some single trails are fine. Basically anything I think I can ride without dropping it is still fun. You can jump it and slide it around just like the 890. The rally throttle makes lofting the front wheel up over rocks and ruts etc really easy and fun. It doesn’t feel nearly as heavy as it should…until you stop and it starts to topple over 😂
The S with spoked wheels is the most versatile bike. Electronic Fully adjustable front and rear suspension settings and off-road mode suspension too. There’s a RU-vidr in UK, Sam Vincent, that has done off-road adventure rally with jumps and mud then lots of sport touring. He said it has never bottomed out for him yet. He also fully dyno tuned and makes around 155whp on his S model with spoke wheels. Getting spoke rims is about $1000. I have 14 1190 S and can’t decide between 1290S or wait for used multiv4 rally. I really think for the average weekend adv rider who won’t be consistently doing big jumps and hits, the 1290s is fine. 1290R is truly race ready day 1. Most people are really just doing sport touring stuff with minor flat trails, so the radar cruise is a plus on the 1290S.
Thank you Ian for the review, you are my favourite adv moto tester. I've been toying with the idea of selling my trustworthy T7 after 5 years and buy this 1290SAR and a Honda 450L/Ktm 500. T7 is a very good do it all bike but too heavy for going solo in extreme off-road and too uncomfortable for road trips. Everytime I think about buying the 1290 I get hooked up specially at the discounted prices you can find now that the 1390 will be out, but the moment I read in forums, I see all the wobble threads and reliability issues and get immediately paralized on the idea. You never see this amount of problems on forums with Japanese bikes or even modern Ducati.
KTM 1290 Super Adventure R: The Ultimate Hooligan Machine! 💥🔥 is a beast, and I’m here to tell you-this is NOT a bike for the lazy or faint-hearted. If you’ve spent your life tearing up the dirt in Hard Enduro, Motocross, or Supermoto, this is the bike that will take your off-road game to the next level. 💪 With 160HP and torque that hits like a sledgehammer, it’s a Supermoto on steroids, but at the same time, it’s built for fast off-road rally-style riding. And if you’ve got the skills and the guts, it’s more than capable of tackling Enduro terrain and big jumps, no problem! 😈 Forget about the 790 or 890-those engines don’t even come close to the reliability of the 1290’s powerplant. If you’re over 40 and still crave that adrenaline rush, this bike is unbeatable. There’s simply no comparison. It’s a masterpiece for what it’s designed to do, plain and simple. BUT-this bike is not for everyone. If you're looking to compare it to the GS, Multistrada, or Triumph, you probably don't need this beast. 🏍 You gotta be ready to ride it like you stole it. If that’s you, you won’t find a more thrilling, confidence-inspiring bike out there. 👊 I’m not even a KTM fanboy, but after trying this off-road in 2021, I was hooked. Ended up buying one and haven’t looked back since. HELL YES, I love it. But trust me-this bike shines off-road-if you can handle it. 😉
yeah I disagree on one point: if you want to be lazy you definitely CAN be. Put it in Rain mode and suspension to comfort and you are riding a boat. But it does like it more if you are whipping it.
Chain Drive has a lot of plusses. I really like how dead simple they are to maintain, replace, and keep an eye on wear. No surprises with a chain drive. With a shaft drive it's a decent amount of effort to pop the shaft out every now and then, make sure the U joints aren't worn out, and put it all back together. That said I have a GS and it is definitely also nice not having chain lube slung everywhere or worrying about cleaning the chain after some offroad.
Not nearly as bad. I had a 2016 1190. Heat was definitely an issue there - the 1290 does a much better job of pushing the heat out away from the rider.
I bought this over the competition for one real reason - fun factor. I've rode the GS, the Tiger, the Africa Twin but none could put a smile on my face like this bike does. I'm planning a 3 month trip to South America and will likely go with a smaller bike, but anywhere across the US and Canada, this bike is just too fun to leave parked. It always quickens the pulse! And as far as reliablility, at 31K miles in 1.5 years, this bike has been fantastic. Very few complaints - chain noise, side stand design & mounting could be better and with that power, it does eat tires.
It's worth noting that the R model has a 1 year warranty and the S has 2 years. Something to consider if you're worried about reliability. Definitely looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the S model Ian!
@@petergoeldi Interesting, which country are you in? KTM USA website says 2 years on all street motorcycles, 1 year on R models. I know they offer an extended option for extra money as well.
I don’t quite get it. I recently rode a 950 Adventure on some trails and performance was very low because of the size and the weight. I don’t know what the appeal is off road on such a large bike. You are able to go much faster much easier on something that weighs half as much and is 120 hp LESS. I would much rather stick to dirt bikes off road.
Truly an amazing bike and appreciate your insights, Ian. Too much bike for me tho, I enjoy the nimbleness of the 890/901 platform and understand the draw for the 1290. Safe travels
Had the previous Gen 1290SAR. This bike gives you a VISCERAL ride! Every second of it, you are completely engaged with the bike. I have never enjoyed riding a bike so much. But it was the horses ass when it came to reliability. In 5 months of ownership, it was in the shop 6 times. Pretty much every long ride needed a shop visit for something. The Electronics were complete BS. Half the features didn't work. ALot of the nuts weren't tightened worth a darn. The stickers all fell off on the right side. Various leaks from hoses that weren't clamped well or they rubbed against something and developed a hole. The gas tank kept leaking because of these stupid brittle plastic clips that attached to the tank. And the cyclinder unser the seat cooked your balls. The exhaust on the right side did its best to set your leg on fire.
I have my 2024 1290 SAR, and I've had it for six months with no issues. I chose this bike over the GS because the 160HP and torque. I have absolutely no complaints, and this bike puts a smile on my face every time I ride.
I'm 9000 miles into mine since march of this year. I agree with pretty much all of the points. The comfort could be better with the seat which is only my real chief complaint there but everything else is spot on. It's faster than it has any right to be, great on and off road, and makes me giggle like an idiot every time I ride it now that I have a rottweiler intake (still takes 15 minutes to service) and an arrow exhaust. As far as the weight goes I think it carries it very well even when I'm fully bagged up on the trails. Picking it up for me isn't too bad but everybody is different so I can't really fault there. I've had no maintenance issues outside of self inflicted problems (bent the front wheel). Just regular oil changes and I swapped the AX41s out for Mitas Enduro Trail Plus Dakars which wear much better and still handle the terrain here in NV just fine. Overall I would buy this bike again and continue to beat on it like the big dirt bike it is!
I've an 2013 1190 Adventure....unreliable, doesn't want to start without a booster pack & don't mention it's on it's 3rd £900 speedo unit. The last repair took a recovery truck (the 2nd time for my bikes life time) and a £900 fix. See yah KTM....mutter mutter Honda! Great performance though!!
What was wrong with the Speedo ? My 14 1190 starts fine. Just needed new battery. My immobilizer sometimes prevents start sporadically, so I just installed a battery switch that quickly resets ecu and prevents $1000 dealership fix.
@@jonasbaine3538Moisture ingress wiped out the display. Even the third unit in 9 years has shown moisture ingress. Don't get me wrong its a great bike but it is unreliable.
Zach from Revzilla weighed it. He got 566. That’s just about the same weight as the Harley. Not sure how most reviewers miss this. I’m sure it may feel lighter but it def isn’t. FWIW I rode 1 at a demo day and it didn’t feel massive. Rode the Harley too. It actually feels a bit smaller to me
Thanks, Ian for this awesome video as usual. Bikes like this exist to push the norm. Yes, it’s a heavy bike. You have a low centre of gravity and also all those beautiful features to carry you on the highway and reduced horsepower on the dirt.. thank you so much for the review. Looking forward to your next one..
Ian -- I have a 2014 1190 ADV R w/ full tractive suspension, a 19/17 setup, Rottweiler Stage 3 intake kit and SAS delete, etc. It rips! I wish I had the electronics of the 1290, but I can't see upgrading right now given the investment into this bike I already have. I wish I had the upgraded engine and electronics,.. but,... not worth it right now.
Man my 1090advr is paid off tho! Like is it so much better it's worth a payment?? I love my bike and know I would love the 1290 but haven't had the chance to ride one
Beautiful bikes, love my 990 and dream about getting a 1290 GT but after going thru my first oil change and coolant flush lt became clear as day that everything is built around performance and not practicality. Between finicky bolts, odd component placement, lousy documentation, expensive parts and twice the time needed to get anything done im going back to Japan for my next motorcycle. The delta of convenience between my DRZ and KTM made me appreciate my time and peace.
Like your videos very much! Im a new rider and I have this bike and would like to add bar risers. Briefly please explain why are you against them? Thank you! Cheers from Denver Colorado!
Also the adventure sports has a 19” front. The base 21” front wheel model is listed at 510 lbs. much lighter than every bike here even though the AT is kinda a middle weight in terms of weight and HP.
Great review as always Ian. Being that you have very recently talked about this and the 1300GS. I would be interested to see how you believe the Pan America would compare. Could make for a good series of videos.
I have had a 1290 S for almost 2 years and only minor issues. Sometimes I get the key out of range error if I have the key in my pocket. Other issue is 2-3 times I have gotten a preload adjuster error, easy to fix just by turning bike off and letting it set a bit. Hard wiring a GPS or Phone is a bit annoying with all of the panels you have to take off, but that is a one time event.
I get this one 8 months ago from 390 adventure to 1290r , man what a beast , love the bike and would not change to 890, it fills so more comfortable and the looks are important.and yes if you make mistakes the bike will go down hahaha.
You can control your music through the switch gear if you connect your phone to the bike. The only problem is that app doesn't work well with the shortcut button. The shortcut stops working every time your phone disconnects. No big deal to me. I just make resting the shortcut button every time I turn the bike off. But it's annoying.
The downside for me is simple. It doesn't turn in as quick as a bike with the traditional fuel tank up top. This is refering to trail riding or making fast dirt road turns, that said, the power makes up for it. A quick blip of the throttle and the rear end will swing around for you effortlesly. Another downside which is, not really. If I wanted another bike there is really no where to go unless I want comfort. I look for more off road capable bikes. I have had an Africa Twin and Multistrada Enduro Pro, my 1290 SA-R is by far better in every way.
I sat on one the other day, and I'm not a small guy by any measure, and this bike is HUGGEEEEEE. the tank spreads your legs so much, it's a crazy machine
