Every R-Type mass production bike Honda has ever made has been a letdown. The last well built bike they created was the RC51 and it was still a turd. Since then Honda's legendary fit, finish and reliability disappeared like a fart in a hurricane
I was a big Honda fan for a long time. They used to lead the way. Their stuff was fast, and light, and good looking. It's like they don't care anymore. I'd assume they make a lot more money with cars.
I've gotten disheartened with KTM the last few years, too. They used to be kick ass, take no prisoners, make no compromises. Recently, their suspensions have gotten cheap. They're getting heavier.
Three more days and we probably should know for sure, on both companies.
With the patents and trademark filings from Honda, this would be a huge letdown if the bike came out basically unchanged, maybe even more than normal.
KTM is supposed to be introducing a re-designed 1290 SDR.
Rumors of 200 HP, but if true, probably wasted on a naked anyway with little aerodynamics (for most). People buy that one for the torque. But they have to probably play the numbers games to keep up with the competition.
The big change from the spy shots is the frame. Looks like the RC8 frame, which handling at high speeds was one the biggest knocks on the SD.
Probably the same WP suspension though, maybe they’ll make it electronically adjustable like the SDGT. And what most expensive bikes are going to.
I did like the engine characteristics of the RC51. I came really close to buying a 996 Super Hawk, which should have been pretty much the same experence. But it wasn't.
I think riding that V2, RC51 one fine summer day, many years ago, led to the purchase of a couple of 990 Super Dukes and an 848 Streetfighter. A sporty V2 is still my favorite.
Same ole lip service... They always say something like "aimed at WSBK" then immediately and for the duration fail at even meager expectations for the entire model run which usually spans at least 4 years
Meh... I'm jaded, have my own experience and I'm way too much of a realist to accept much of anything they say regardless of credentials. Having worked in the journalistic arena of the powersports industry I can say fewer things in life have been as much a disappointment as meeting many of my once revered writers in the moto-rags.
Remember those moto-journalists only exist to give an opinion to an interested party that lacks the experience to form one on their own... Depending on who's paying them to give that opinion it may not even be an honest one.
Guys like you have experiences and portals that 99.99 % of us don't have a realistic expectation or hope of ever having.
So you should have a different tint to the eye wear than the rest of us.
For those of us that are fascinated by the engineering and science, we have to keep an eye out for what sources we can tap, be it for info, advice, whatever.
Someone like Kevin Cameron offers well written material that is approachable and informative, while also including some well based conjecture.
Where else are we going to find that?
(If you have suggestions, I'd love to hear them.)
As for your comment about being disappointed after meeting a revered writer, I can relate too well but in a slightly different way.
I used to think, because I assumed, that high level executives in companies had to be incredibly smart and astute people.
Not any more, having far too many times seen proof of the opposite.
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