bic_bicknell
So. There is all this banter/debate/getting your nickers in a twist between all the new 1290 model owners that have bought one and all the rest of us who have had a 990 for however long, some since 2006.
This excellent website was created by a great man, sustained by enthusiasts of the 990 in all its guises and, I think, probably the best single-model forum on the web. There's always been a bit of banter and competition between the owners of the original pre '06 Superduke and the latter '07 model but really it's the same bike and most has been in jest.
The new 1290 has been a long time coming, a lot of people have been speculating and debating what this will be like when it finally made reality. It's all because we are all passionate about the bike and what KTM would do to make it relevant for modern expectations and to compete with other manufacturers. This forum opened up new threads about this bike a long time before new 1290 purchasers bought their bikes. It's a long running debate that a lot of people have contributed to.
I think we should all accept that there is a new kid on the block. The 1290 is a far superior bike compared to the original 990. It should be. KTM have had six years and all the experience of the RC8 and adventure bikes to get it right. Most of the existing 990 owners are a bit jealous that there is a new model and that their pride and joys are relegated to, "the old one", but they also have the right to judge and comment on what KTM have delivered after so many years of waiting. It's mostly not sour grapes but calculated and considered response to the bike KTM have launched.
So. I think everyone should stop taking things personally, just accept that there is now another model of Superduke and all get on with enjoying the kind of bike it is. It seems to me that the new 1290 is fundamentally not that different in spirit from all the previous models, just got a massive 1300 engine!
Eventually we will all just become "Superduke owners" again and the difference between years and models will pale into insignificance compared to the comradeship of us all enjoying this marque of bike.
This excellent website was created by a great man, sustained by enthusiasts of the 990 in all its guises and, I think, probably the best single-model forum on the web. There's always been a bit of banter and competition between the owners of the original pre '06 Superduke and the latter '07 model but really it's the same bike and most has been in jest.
The new 1290 has been a long time coming, a lot of people have been speculating and debating what this will be like when it finally made reality. It's all because we are all passionate about the bike and what KTM would do to make it relevant for modern expectations and to compete with other manufacturers. This forum opened up new threads about this bike a long time before new 1290 purchasers bought their bikes. It's a long running debate that a lot of people have contributed to.
I think we should all accept that there is a new kid on the block. The 1290 is a far superior bike compared to the original 990. It should be. KTM have had six years and all the experience of the RC8 and adventure bikes to get it right. Most of the existing 990 owners are a bit jealous that there is a new model and that their pride and joys are relegated to, "the old one", but they also have the right to judge and comment on what KTM have delivered after so many years of waiting. It's mostly not sour grapes but calculated and considered response to the bike KTM have launched.
So. I think everyone should stop taking things personally, just accept that there is now another model of Superduke and all get on with enjoying the kind of bike it is. It seems to me that the new 1290 is fundamentally not that different in spirit from all the previous models, just got a massive 1300 engine!
Eventually we will all just become "Superduke owners" again and the difference between years and models will pale into insignificance compared to the comradeship of us all enjoying this marque of bike.