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80 Posts
I only have about 165 miles on my 890, but it's enough to form an honest opinion... finally, and I'm all in. First off, I can never leave anything completely stock, so right off the bat I installed a new Wings exhaust, same as my 790, added the hi-flow airbox lid, and went with the Booster Plug this time instead of the Coober ECU. The additional sensors on the 890 make fuel mapping more precise and the Booster Plug addition ran clean from bottom to top from day one. My 790, even with the much more expensive Coober ECU didn't run as crisp and the engine even died on occasion for no apparent reason.
As for the new riding position, the hype makes more of it than it really is. I like the improvement, the lower, flatter bars, and the raised, rear set pegs, but the feeling still isn't unlike the 790, but slightly more aggressive. The suspension, though still being run in, is still a bit harsh over rough or square edged surfaces like the 790. Being adjustable, I'm still playing with it, and it allows more adjustability and I'm adapting it to my riding style. I like it, but it's also not a night and day improvement. The engine, well after only 25 miles I couldn't take the stock muffler and made the above mentioned changes. The stock muffler has a nice tone, but is much too tame sounding. The upgraded engine wants to breathe, and who am I to deny that...
As for the engine, well, in the tight stuff it just plain rocks. Midrange power is quite a bit better. On one of my local canyon roads I find I can even run a taller gear through a few of the twisty sections making better time with the engine not working as hard as the 790 running through in 2nd where the 890 3rd gear is possible. In track mode the front wheel loves to dance above the pavement, lofting out of the corners effortlessly. My 790 took quite a bit of coaxing to get the front tire to leave mother earth. When I'm really pushing it, right now I prefer Sport Mode as I can ride even more aggressive and keep the front end mostly planted, though as I become more used to the bike I'm sure I'll use Track Mode even more. I love the engine in the tight stuff. Sadly, on the longer up hill straights, it is definitely faster, but could still use more in my opinion. The guys I ride with have very powerful sport bikes and I feel I have the advantage on most of the tighter stuff, but still want for more on the faster straights. I love that it pisses them off that a smaller bike like this can give a liter bike a real run for its money on everything but full power straights. This makes me happy!
The Brembo Brakes are powerful. I find I can run it in deeper, or at least at first I could because I could get slowed down so much faster with less effort. After about 50-60 miles of hard riding though, it developed a harsh vibration when braking hard at speed (front brake). I thought maybe the rotors had warped. I mean it feels pretty bad. So much so that when I got home I was planning on taking it back to the dealer to see if this was covered under warranty. I talked to my buddy that has a 1199 Ducati Panigale and he suggested I wait and ride it a little longer. He feels the brakes need to "run in" and that maybe I shouldn't run it so hard so soon, and let the pads have a chance to "seat" to the rotors. I don't know if this is what's happening, but that's where I'm at right now. I will take it for some easier rides this week and see if they improve before returning to the dealership. I know everyone has there magic potion for the perfect break in procedure. The book says stay below 6500 rpm for the first 600 miles. That's great for some, but I've never done this. I ride them hard from the get go and do exceed the 6500 rpm range, but never for extended periods, and I do vary the throttle so all good there.
This is the first time I've experienced the brake issue. Overall I love the bike, am happy I made the change, and look forward to more riding. Cheers for now.
As for the new riding position, the hype makes more of it than it really is. I like the improvement, the lower, flatter bars, and the raised, rear set pegs, but the feeling still isn't unlike the 790, but slightly more aggressive. The suspension, though still being run in, is still a bit harsh over rough or square edged surfaces like the 790. Being adjustable, I'm still playing with it, and it allows more adjustability and I'm adapting it to my riding style. I like it, but it's also not a night and day improvement. The engine, well after only 25 miles I couldn't take the stock muffler and made the above mentioned changes. The stock muffler has a nice tone, but is much too tame sounding. The upgraded engine wants to breathe, and who am I to deny that...
As for the engine, well, in the tight stuff it just plain rocks. Midrange power is quite a bit better. On one of my local canyon roads I find I can even run a taller gear through a few of the twisty sections making better time with the engine not working as hard as the 790 running through in 2nd where the 890 3rd gear is possible. In track mode the front wheel loves to dance above the pavement, lofting out of the corners effortlessly. My 790 took quite a bit of coaxing to get the front tire to leave mother earth. When I'm really pushing it, right now I prefer Sport Mode as I can ride even more aggressive and keep the front end mostly planted, though as I become more used to the bike I'm sure I'll use Track Mode even more. I love the engine in the tight stuff. Sadly, on the longer up hill straights, it is definitely faster, but could still use more in my opinion. The guys I ride with have very powerful sport bikes and I feel I have the advantage on most of the tighter stuff, but still want for more on the faster straights. I love that it pisses them off that a smaller bike like this can give a liter bike a real run for its money on everything but full power straights. This makes me happy!
The Brembo Brakes are powerful. I find I can run it in deeper, or at least at first I could because I could get slowed down so much faster with less effort. After about 50-60 miles of hard riding though, it developed a harsh vibration when braking hard at speed (front brake). I thought maybe the rotors had warped. I mean it feels pretty bad. So much so that when I got home I was planning on taking it back to the dealer to see if this was covered under warranty. I talked to my buddy that has a 1199 Ducati Panigale and he suggested I wait and ride it a little longer. He feels the brakes need to "run in" and that maybe I shouldn't run it so hard so soon, and let the pads have a chance to "seat" to the rotors. I don't know if this is what's happening, but that's where I'm at right now. I will take it for some easier rides this week and see if they improve before returning to the dealership. I know everyone has there magic potion for the perfect break in procedure. The book says stay below 6500 rpm for the first 600 miles. That's great for some, but I've never done this. I ride them hard from the get go and do exceed the 6500 rpm range, but never for extended periods, and I do vary the throttle so all good there.
This is the first time I've experienced the brake issue. Overall I love the bike, am happy I made the change, and look forward to more riding. Cheers for now.