990R vs. 1190R

[Manic]

Also.....I was inches away from getting a 790. I had a legit cash buyer for my bike asking for bank details, and 2 possible 790's to choose from.

After a ride offroad on the 790, I backed off.  It's just not for everyone.  I prefer the more chilled riding style of the bigger bikes, even offroad. The 790 just felt frantic, like you had to ride it at 11/10 all the time and chuck it around like a dirtbike, which I'm useless at.


So yeh, different strokes for different folks.  I ended up softening the suspension on the 1290 big time, down to "Comfort" settings, and I'm loving it again.

Still dont agree with you. Came back yesterday on tar and sat at 170/180 with ease looking around at the scenery.

I wont swop my 790 for a 1290 even if someone pays in to do so.

[2StrokeDan]

Also.....I was inches away from getting a 790. I had a legit cash buyer for my bike asking for bank details, and 2 possible 790's to choose from.

After a ride offroad on the 790, I backed off.  It's just not for everyone.  I prefer the more chilled riding style of the bigger bikes, even offroad. The 790 just felt frantic, like you had to ride it at 11/10 all the time and chuck it around like a dirtbike, which I'm useless at.


So yeh, different strokes for different folks.  I ended up softening the suspension on the 1290 big time, down to "Comfort" settings, and I'm loving it again.

Still dont agree with you. Came back yesterday on tar and sat at 170/180 with ease looking around at the scenery.

I wont swop my 790 for a 1290 even if someone pays in to do so.

How high is the engine revving at 170/180, Manic? I think the lots of extra torque onthe 1290 must make it feel far more relaxed than the 790, at that sort of speed.

[Manic]

Did not check, think round 7500 or 8000rpm.

Redline starts at 10500 I think.

210 and the 790 is moeg, revs go into the red.

[Straddle]

Me and the wife test rode the 1190R when they came out. (2013?)

Found the 1190R much better on tar than the 990R, but it sucked on gravel.

Awesome tar handling, acceleration and top speed in comparison to the 990R, which was to be expected.

Suspension travel on the 1190R is less than the 990R.

The demo was off course on factory settings, the 990R very similar.

We still have the 990R.

Just Blip It quickly sold his new 1190R. Still has a 990R and 990S. He hardly does any tar, and rides single track where we take our mid-size bikes.

Another riding buddy sold his 1190R for a 990R. He rides with Just Blip It, in areas such as Swazi and Zim.

I doubt if the 1190R is as strong as the 990R, or it might be the inferior (to the 990R at least) suspension hammering the bike on rough terrain.

Your answer will be in your application of the respective model.

Lastly, the 990 is an iconic bike, if that is an important consideration for you.



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I had a 990 and also the 990R for about 5 years. Upgraded to the 1190R which I had for 3 years. Once you get used to the 1190 and the suspension is dailled in it is much better than the 990 on gravel roads (not technical). I think that the traction control makes it less of an effort to ride. You definately need the upgrade on the rear spring on the 1190. I now have the 1290R and will not trade it for anything. It does become a handfull though in technical stuff so I agree it is all in the application. After all there is no alternative for horsepower. I think budget would play a big role in what you choose to ride.

[Noneking]

A lot of very valid points thus far....

I’ve owned a 990 Adv, 1090R and now 790R and have ridden them all mostly offroad.

The 1x90 does become a handful in slow technical stuff even though my 1090 was lighter than my 990 by a kg or two if I recall. Both the 790 and 1090 make a 990 feel like an old tractor with bad brakes. That’s just a fact.

I still rate the 990 for obvious reasons, but apart from financial considerations (and looks ) I cannot see any reason not to upgrade to the 790. It is just next level!

If you’re into open gravel touring any of the 1x90s will be better bike to own than the other two.