Writing on the wall?
- Thread starter Actionabe
- Start date
Honestly, I thought the same until I drove it home. I was planning to install more upright handlebars until I drove it home. 2 hours with only one 5min break. Less vibrations than the 801 and the seat it very comfy. But yes, the positioning is definitely for active driving, more so than the supermotarike 801.
Love it! I’m actually drooling over the 2027 XSR900. How is your new KTM different from the Husky?
Enjoy the beast! I just read the rest of this thread. 1390. Yowza!
Ooh which 4 cylinder are you thinking about?
The 1390R is insane compared to the Husky. It’s two different worlds for sure. At the same time, both are twins so they are both calm and collected until you rev them. The difference is the KTM has massive power from 4000rpm.
i have always been a lover of low-medium displacement 4 cylinders engines, an always a kawasaki rider (the vitpilen is my 1st not kawa), maybe a zx6r, or even a 3 cilinders zxmoto 820 rr (for the price and the quality is a good option...who knows...)
Sweet! I have a 2026 Z900RS SE. It’s my first Kawasaki and inline four. It is delicious.
Sounds like a blast!
yeah...the 4 in line is always a smooooooth garantie
If you like the 801 then you’ll love the 1390R. It’s very calm and collected until you rev it. It will power wheelie easily at 5000rpm on the first, second and third gear. It’s even possible to power wheelie on the 4th gear if you put some effort to it. The brakes are insane! You just touch the lever and it decelerates. I’ve got the Evo with electronic suspension so it sets the sag automatically. It also has an anti dive function meaning it won’t lean when you break. It’s just super steady all the time.
The bike sounds incredible. It sounds like you’re having a blast. Your bike definitely isn’t for my style of riding
I’m definitely on the sedate side of riding styles. Keep having fun and stay safe out there. Thank you for sharing!el_capitan
new rider
Been there, done that. I sold my Triumph 955i Daytona after realising that I didn´t "feel" the bike up until 170 km/h or more, which is both bad for the life-expectancy of driver and license alike. My Guzzi Griso 1100 was the opposite: heavy, low and underpowered, but with a surprisingly capable frame, suspension and brakes, as long as you kept it moving. The Vitpilen 801 now really seems to be the sweet spot: Entertaining enough for public roads, as the combo of low weight, sufficient horsepower and torque and a generally well-made setup always puts a smile in my face.
My younger brother had a KTM Duke 690 R, upgraded "slightly" to a KTM 1290 Duke R (fully tricked out for the racetrack), went back to a KTM 890 Duke R for the racetrack that he now rides on the road – and couldn´t be happier. He often confesses that even the 122 hp of his KTM are mostly overkill ... For the tight twisties we both still have singles; a Gas Gas 700 SM for him and a 30yo Suzuki DR 650 SE (heavily reworked in nearly every aspect) for me. When the tarmac gets bad enough and the twisties further narrow even the 30 hp-difference between the two bikes is negligible.
I once rode the 1290 R Duke on the open road: surprisingly docile and manageable, but you constantly had to hold back. I consider it way more fun to ride a weak bike at 100% than to ride a strong bike below it´s capabilities.
My younger brother had a KTM Duke 690 R, upgraded "slightly" to a KTM 1290 Duke R (fully tricked out for the racetrack), went back to a KTM 890 Duke R for the racetrack that he now rides on the road – and couldn´t be happier. He often confesses that even the 122 hp of his KTM are mostly overkill ... For the tight twisties we both still have singles; a Gas Gas 700 SM for him and a 30yo Suzuki DR 650 SE (heavily reworked in nearly every aspect) for me. When the tarmac gets bad enough and the twisties further narrow even the 30 hp-difference between the two bikes is negligible.
I once rode the 1290 R Duke on the open road: surprisingly docile and manageable, but you constantly had to hold back. I consider it way more fun to ride a weak bike at 100% than to ride a strong bike below it´s capabilities.