So as a way of an update, just over 500 miles done and 1st service booked on Saturday, can't wait to get it done and out of the way. Performance Mode, 3rd/4th gear, fast country A & B roads and I think I've found Goldielocks porridge. I've not enjoyed riding this much in last 10 years. The way the whole thing flows and works together, engine/torque, suspension and brakes is spot on. I've done a couple of 2hr 100+ mile stints and I can walk, feel my hands, it's comfortable and it's only the thought of moans/real life that's making me come back in from playtime. All I can say is if you're thinking of it, go and get a decent test ride.
Ah was waiting for an update! I rode the new Trump 1200R and was left disappointed really but rode the SDR on Saturday and absolutely loved it but..... Here’s the thing, I rode my mates new Tuono Factory back from the KTM dealers, around 40 miles of fast a roads. It was good and definitely more sports bike oriented. But 100% grin factor only belongs to the KTM! What a fantastic bike. Fantastic handling, amazing engine and power delivery. pretty much making anything else feel slightly gutless. Super agile but very composed and stable. Stonking brakes, buttery quickshifter/ blipper. Feels so light and nibble. So playful. Great ergonomics, super easy dash and usability. The only One negative I can say is it could possibly bring out the hooligan in you.... but flick a switch and just go cruising or touring on it This is possibly the only bike you need.... MEGA!
Funny you should say that. Only last night the words "Hmmm, seems like my inner hooligan wasn't too deeply hidden" were ringing in my mind as I hit the start of the B roads. The semi-good thing is the inner hooligan comes out at double figures though, not triple. The way it thumps down the roads and then you can roll off and back on again with no drama into and through the corners is addictive.
Seems very similar to what my 1200s multistrada was like, a very deceptive bike once you had some sticky rubber on it, quite a few super bikes got embarrassed by it and with a top box on
Agree with all these Super Duke comments….my second service is coming up soon and I’m getting the Track pack installed, not for using on the track, one of its redeeming features is to leave the traction control on but anti- wheelie off Stoopid riding done “safely “ As was said above it’s the hilarity at much lower speed that becomes addictive
That looks the absolute bollocks that @dainesefreak, sounds like you're happy with it too!! Can't wait too see what you get next month!!
So first service done and just over 700 miles on the clock. Loving the 140 Nm of torque and the way it lays down the power in 3rd and 4th. Also loving the smooth throttle response rolling it off and on into and through the twisties. It's the first euro 4/5 bike that feels smooth and not like it's going to snap the throttle back on and upset the flow/rear wheel. Sweet spot for me seems to be Performance or Track mode with road throttle. Looking forward to doing a decent ride to North Wales at the start of next month.
Any more updates? My V4s Corse is now sold and being picked up next week and after another couple of disappointing hours on the Trump R and the revised Tuono factory …. I’ve finally made a decision and pulled the trigger on something very naughty indeed
I thought everyone would have got bored of it by now. I love riding the thing. It's the first bike in years, possibly even since I first started riding that I just itch to get out on it, evenings, weekends and even lunchtimes. It's been a very long time since I've felt like that or even done that. It works and meshes together when ridden in way that to look at it, it just shouldn't. I just leave it in Track mode, Blat it down a B road or country lane, roll off the throttle, engine seems to coast slightly before the engine braking kicks in, which I'm guessing is by design to stop the big V-Twin lump slapping you into the tank, then softer engine braking kicks in pre corner, don't need to brake most times and then roll the throttle back on and through. I could just be the thing suits my riding style but it's the most fun, most fluid I've felt on the road since my 2 stroke days. I can do 100 very quick miles, get off, walk, feel my hands and then turn around and do it again. Time will tell with the build and reliability, but at the moment it seems well screwed together. Looking forward to seeing your update @Dave dunlop.
Great update! And totally echoes the feeling I had on my lengthy test ride actually thought about just taking it home and ringing the dealer up to explain I lost it in the car park after stopping for some refreshments ….. The Triumph 1200R in the right environment is also sublime. Just let down by the gearbox, can’t remember the last time I’ve had a bike drop out of gear (twice) virtually impossible to find neutral, and just a non mechanical wooden feeling at the lever. Low down fuelling was also poor! And needed slight clutch slip at lower speeds around town. For such a claimed torquey engine it’s not happy at low revs and slower speeds! Also the dash shit itself and locked up and wouldn’t let me tinker between modes! Once working again the screen lag is hideous! Switch gear is also clumsy and awkward. Such a shame! Its 100% more geared for higher engine revs and really pushing on. Only then it’s sublime and excels at munching fast A roads in a very quick and reassuring manner, Faultless chassis, So nibble and agile even at X2 Nationals. They had taken 2 clicks out of the Ohlins front fork spring preload. Absolutely brilliant brakes, even at warp factor it scrubs off speed in such a composed way. Very similar feeling to the KTM….Great build quality, but such a shame it was let down by some niggles that I couldn’t live with. Potentially some adjustment to chain and a tooth less on the front might have helped…. And possible software updates to fix the dash lag and system lock up. The head technician also echoed the same issues when we did the little debrief…… The new Tuono Factory also felt a little laggy off the bottom of the Rev range! Gearbox again wasn’t that great. But the big thing for me was it’s handling. Taking into account the bike was in the sport mode and hadn’t really been setup for spirited riding, or how I wanted it to feel. Transitioning at moderate too higher speed was quite poor, really felt the weight almost pushing you wide and really not wanting to play ball….like you had to muscle it in. Unlike the KTM a and the Triumph that just had amazing front end feel confidence. Once you get your head around it though it’s rock solid…. And the exhaust note is intoxicating and dare I say the best out there. Brakes were the poorest of the 3! Just not a great lever feel, plenty of power, you just need to squeeze harder and theirs far less modulation…. I’m sure with some tweaking it would have been more inspiring! Definitely takes more input to get the best from when it’s setup. Also the said bike has had various EML lights coming and going, other strange running issues that apparently are now well documented on the new model…. Misfiring issue that turns the EML light on. But worst of all is a oil leak that’s literally pooling within the outer crankcases. Also others have been affected!! It’s being looked at next week and could possibly be front head off…… So to summarise…… The Fecking KTM Rocks…… And I’d never ever thought for one moment that it would be such a strong contender given the current crop of outgoing Super nakedness……
Great write up Dave. Having owned the 1050RS and the RSV4 I needed try something different and it really felt like a bit of a punt at the time. Didn't even test ride it. Glad it took the punt.
I’ve done the same….. but taking it too the next level I’ve been reassured that I won’t be disappointed! Having had a blast on the R that sealed it for me…So RR is hopefully landing in 2 weeks! It’s already physical and deposited but the dealer is running flat out. Akropovic Evolution full system ordered at the same time…… Fun times ahead
Pull the pin as you’re only here once, it’s not a trial run and if you don’t do it this time round your not getting another go.
it’s actually not that bad by all accounts! The Austin Racing system is on another level. The factory Evolution system still retains quite a large silencer underneath. It can’t be as obnoxious as my V4s! …. Let’s hope not or I might consider moving, or getting them to move
PDI next Friday so as long as the evolution Akropovic comes in by then. It was showing as in stock! Hopefully the following week depending when I can get down west county. I did however look and sit on one that was a cancelled order on Saturday. Definitely more striking in the flesh. 10mm taller wasn’t really an issue. Looks Mega and felt really lightweight just moving it around….. excitement is building and other parts already ordered and slowly turning up How many miles are you on now??
Nice one. Pre-shopping is always good. A fraction under a 1000 now. Hoping to do North Wales on Saturday if the weather holds, so that should add a few hundred.
