Lainaa:
I am in the fortunate position to ride both bikes as we are RSV4/Tuono specialists.
My opinion for what its worth is they are both fantastic bikes and neither will disappoint.
V4 Aprilia has a sound to die for ( but so will the ktm after we have finished with it :D ),
Brakes are superior on the ktm,
Low end grunt is superior on the ktm
Top end on a naked is pointless after 130mph and both get to that pretty fast.
Riding position is definitely better on the ktm
Ktm without a doubt looks better
Handling is close but possibly slightly better on the Aprilia.
Fuelling is great on both
Tc is better on the Aprilia at least until they release a new map for the ktm that you can turn certain things off and not others.
Abs, great on both and will get you out of trouble.
Grin factor, i love them both but the Ktm is more Hooligan so it wins that 1 for me.
Mcn test many bikes and have there opinion which can sometimes in my opinion be shall we say, weird!!!
When the RSV4 was released they tested it vs the cross plane R1, the R1 was the winner, UH!!!
Within 12 months they back tracked and suddenly the group test of 7 bikes put the same RSV4 top and the R1 7th or there a bouts!!! hmmm what changed???
Read reviews and take them with a pinch of salt, we are friends with all the top UK mag testers and get a great honest opinion from the guys. The above is an indication of the feedback they give us.
The 1290 is a tool and a great bike, we are all out on developing our exhaust for it no expense spared, not often we will hit a bike that hard so it must be good :D
Neo @