Personally my favorite is the 990 Dakar.  I've heard good things about the 1190R.  It's heavier, but that would be expected with the larger motor. 

I'm jones'ing for the regular 1190 as I figure any terrain that would require the 18/21 wheels on the "R" is best done on a much lighter bike (like my 530). Word has it the regular 1190 feels a lot like riding a supermoto which is exactly what I'm looking for (nothing worse than a bad public dirt road). One of the KTM shops in the area has an 1190 R, but I haven't stopped by to check it out.

I do like the 18/21" wheels on my 990 so that isn't too big of a deal for me, I do wish the R had a bit more travel as I use all my 990's up fairly easily.

Is there anything screaming out to you about the new version?

It's complicated. I replaced my 954 with a '04 CBR1000 and I can't really get it to work right so it needs to go. the 990 is fine other than the lack of engine on the highway (western states) my thought is the 1190 will do all the 990 does plus help cover the deficit that has me hanging on to the CBR? kind of a 2 bikes for one trade?

the other thing about the 1190 is the improved range over the 990 (not sure how much?) although I am not sure about all the electronics? the 990 is a fine machine, but if the 1190 is as good with plus it has 40hp more well, that would make for a damn near perfect (to me) bike?

That make sense.  I say trade in the two bikes, get the 1190, ride the piss out of it, and let us know what you think.   

So, that is what I did. So far I am loving it. While heavier than the 990 it feels lighter? Electronics work fantastically well, plus you can turn them off if you want. So far the closest I have been to off road is gravel but everything is good so far. With the MTC/ABS on 0-100-0 on the gravel is about 200' shorter than I can do it on my own?  The only thing I liked better on the 990 was the two fuel caps. I got used to not taking the tank bag off to fuel. I will see how it works off road as soon as the weather cooperates. I think it has enough power that I won't miss the CBR.

..... I think it has enough power that I won't miss the CBR.

You miss adding oil?

Quote from: Royal Tiger on February 01, 2014, 03:48:42 PM

Quote from: Black Hills on February 01, 2014, 08:52:44 AM

..... I think it has enough power that I won't miss the CBR.

You miss adding oil?

Never had a bike I needed to add oil too?

It was a shot at the CBR1k.  Very KLR like.   

Quote from: Black Hills on February 01, 2014, 07:20:08 PM

Quote from: Royal Tiger on February 01, 2014, 03:48:42 PM

Quote from: Black Hills on February 01, 2014, 08:52:44 AM

..... I think it has enough power that I won't miss the CBR.

You miss adding oil?

Never had a bike I needed to add oil too?

It was a shot at the CBR1k.  Very KLR like.   

My 954 startled smoking a little at 50k but not enough to need oil between changes, I never could get the '04 1000 to work as good as the 954? Engine was marginally better but I could never get it to handle properly? The 954 was very easy to ride fast. They are great bikes and bulletproof.

I finally got a chance to test the 1190R off road. Went for a nice ride after work and I am pleasantly surprised with the bike. I had my doubts as to whether it would work as well as the 990 and whether the electronics would be a pain in the ass. I am happy to say for the riding I do it works as well as the 990 and maybe even a little bit better? I started on this trail near Rolling Hills subdivision on Nemo road.
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 I had the bike in my pavement setting (sport/TC off) and it worked fairly well. As the trails got a little rockier and I had to slow down I found the throttle response was a little twitchy and I had to clutch it a bit due to the tall gearing (I tried a 16t front but found it too low to take advantage of the beautiful torque curve on the pavement so went back to stock). I stopped and switched to the Offroad mode and while I was at it I put the ABS in offroad and turned the TC back on to see how it worked.  Wow!! I don’t know how it works, but it works well!! The power is so smooth off idle you can all but let it idle in first gear. I was going to go up a few teeth in the rear but now I may leave the gearing stock.
I continued past Dalton lake to Vanocker canyon on some gravel and discovered the Offroad setting allows enough wheel spin to slide around corners in my best flat track impression (not very impressive). I then took the Galena cut across and found the creek crossing to be over about 3’ deep. The bike handled it fine, but it filled my boots so the rest of the ride I had soggy feet.
I headed up butcher gulch and took the trail over to the white walls(or Hercules walls?) it’s about as rough as I get on the adventure.  The 1190 handled it as well as the 990 did last fall:

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I went back down and followed camp 5 road out to boulder canyon. Happy, happy, happy all the way home!!  I think she is going to be a keeper and my off road worries are gone.  She looks nice in her natural habitat too:
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All in all I think it is as good as the 990 for the off roading I do with it. Perhaps if you were doing really technical stuff the 990 (geared really low) would work better. But, that’s what I have the 300 for. I think the 1190’s off road ability coupled with the on road performance, not to mention fuel range, make it about a perfect adventure bike.

Excellent follow up report.  Thank you.  I'm glad you're enjoying it.  This has be the coolest adventure style bike made.