The analogy is more like the feeling that the original '06 Superduke owners had when the new '07 model was introduced. It had a few significant upgrades including radial brakes, larger tank and some minor cosmetic changes but the '06 lot were forever trying to justify their bike was 'better' more 'raw' and generally always carried a chip on their shoulders because the later bike was an improvement (although not really much better). The same will be for this new model and the resentment it will cause in the original 1290 camp. Already I can hear the disenfranchised bleating on about how their bike is lighter and 'harder' with the new model being 'tamed down with more aids'. Anything to maintain their own egos at peak. Some will continue on like this for years. Others will just be forced to trade in their old model for the new one to keep their egos intact and even more will sell up their one year old toy and move onto the next 'top dog' in the motorcycling world - maybe a Yamaha or the new generation BMW.
For me this is looking like the 1290 KTM should have made in the first place. Better looks, proper adjustable suspension, quick shifter, etc. But also they have done all their experimenting with cheap suppliers, cost cutting and new manufacturing facilities and the 1290 mark 1 with all it's faults like the rear hub bearings and water retaining swing arm have been ironed out. In retrospect it's very rare that the mark 1s of any manufacturer are the best of the marque, over years it's true that many bikes get tamed and softened and end up less than they were at the beginning but it's usually the mark 2s and 3s that stand the test of time.
