and I kind of didn't like it THAT MUCH my bike is a hypermotard SP, and it can be blindingly fast and so much fun. so I was all looking into finally experiencing the ultimate beast. I have to say it was a bit of an anticlimax. the duke is fantastic, don't get me wrong, but it's not that much more better to necessarily convince me to switch. the electronics are great, the dashboard clear and much more complete than the HYM, the seating position is good and less extreme... but.... the riding experience is not as great as I thought especially compared to the raw HYM. granted the day I tried it rained a bit I just couldn't feel this amazing difference. also I noticed less of a jump between the std more and the sport mode or whatever it was called. whereas on my SP it's so noticeable... anyway, if someone gave me a super duke for free I guess I would keep it, but considering the cost I am not convinced at all....
The way some people go on about these makes me laugh Don't get me wrong they're hugely capable but on the way back from France last year a guy had one which had been fettled with and was telling everyone and anyone who'd listed how it would out run any litre superbike and how they're known as 'the beast' Well when we got off the toll roads we put it to the test, me on a 14 hrc blade and him on his superduke R Didn't have HUGE difficultly dispatching him.
Also tested one. I think the Beast can be a thrilling fun ride but to get there one has to ride it to the limits. Given its power those limits are way far for many even some experienced riders IMO. In normal people level it is not as the marketing says. I find myself more fun and challenge with my S1000R. And now with the Hyper SP, as you say, it gives you back a lot. It keeps you awaken, it has at least for me, a lot of potential. That is why I went from a standard 821 to the new SP because I do appreciate this bike and its particular style.
Haven't posted here for a while chaps (since selling the SP) but do keep a little eye on things.... Must disagree with most of these comments having owned the 1290 for nearly a year now and is a truly amazing machine. Maybe Pisq, the rain held you back a bit when you took it out but there is a massive difference between the map modes on the bike The finish is really good on them and up there with the Duc and also the parts price is relatively cheap in comparison Mine is modded up for fun with most of the powerpart catalogue thrown at it, plus the Evo2 full system, PCV, Quickshifter & Rotty airbox so maybe that is the difference to the Demo bikes you guys take for a spin around the block I do miss my Hyper and would never have sold it if it wasn't so tall for my little legs :cry: and would love one in the garage alongside "THE BEAST" Each to there own i know so this is just some feedback from a rider that has owned and lived with both for some time
^ I hope they get on top of the rear hub issue soon, a similar issue blighted MV Brutale sales at one time I remember.
Id like a 1290. Ive got my perfect garage now. My 1100 evo sp, RSV4 factory and a z1ooo. The only thing id swap my zed for is a 1290 but I feel that there would be compromises....id loose a lot of stuff and gain at the same time....what id gain... 1. More power. 2. Electronics. What id loose.... 1. Looks. 2. Size. (its absolutely perfect for me) 3. Power. I know theres only one difference but it all amounts to big stuff for me....while the 1290 has more power down and an electronics package ive tried the s1oooR and didn't like it so I can only guess that the 1290 is more of that... The zed is a stonking bike and as markey says with his - ya gotta do the mods to get the most out of it. Now mines done its a fucking missile. All the mods done together make up for a massive change in performance and handling. The reason I mentioned power is that the zed being an IL4 makes it in a different way and with my full race system, air filter and custom dyno mapping make it rapid to say the least. Ive seen videos online of z1ooo's comparison acceleration against the s1oooR and the s1k is faster hands down but while its a fair comparison from a stock to stock test its not cos the z1ooo doesn't have a qs....that makes a massive difference in acceleration times...I mean really big... I'm in the amazingly lucky position of having a few bikes and a wife that puts up with my addiction. So if I had the one bike a 1290 would be perfect I suppose (its got it all) but my 3 are the extreme (I would say) of what the 1290 dips its toe into, ie its fast (RSV4) its naked (z1ooo) and its hooligan (evo sp) and id much rather have the debt and the 3 bikes rather than the one....does that make sense. Gimlet will be along in a min to fight the 1290 corner Having said all that I do love KTM's (ive got a 525 supermoto for sale atm) but it wasn't even close to the hyper....hence the acquisition of the hyper and the sale of the 525.
Id argue that definitely on parts cost...ive done a ground up rebuild of my 525 supermoto so ive bought a fair few parts for mine...the most expensive parts bill was for the entire swing arm bearing set (90 quid in total) no other parts came to more than that...and entire gasket set for a complete engine rebuild was the same price...I bought a solenoid for the hyper last week (60 quid). Plus on top of that KTM actively produce part updates for the engines (the 525 while the crankcases were split had 8 internal bottom end part updates) and that's on a 10 year old engine. Brilliant, I was impressed with that. The other thing...parts availability. If its not in fowlers in Bristol - it will be in 3 days. Never had to wait longer than that for anything. I think a brand new tank side panel for my evo sp costs about 400. The entire bodyset for the 525 (including 2013 headlight, mask and supermoto front mudguard from the 2015 model) came to less than 250 quid. Now I know its not a 1290 but, from my experience everything ive dealt with on ktm on parts, delivery and price has been second to none...
