Lights
LED galore and I have an issue with them – they are a bastard to change
on the hoof. I always look at the basics of a bike. If something goes
wrong that is integral to me getting back on the road and somewhere
safe and warm how much hassle is it going to be? The running lights at
the front look awesome but they are a string of LED lights that I have no
idea how to change if they go. The main lights are straightforward
halogen bulbs. There are two screws on the main screen and then the
light housing just pivots out. Talking to the mech at KTM Rocket centre
“It’s a two minute job”. Good news there!
The twin lights, running and full beam are in vertical alignment and give
you plenty of light but not as much as a twin headed bike. More than that
and this really is a dash of cream on the muffin is the turning lights!
When I first picked the 1290 up I assumed it had HID spots but no! They
are set low in the fairing and when you lean the bike the light comes on
to take up the ‘slack’ of the main beam being directed away in the lean
and keeps the light on the road. Lean over more and both lights come on
to keep full light flooding where you want it... on the road and not off
into some field – brilliant idea and I loved them.
The rear light is another matter as that’s an LED unit like most modern
bikes and you’d have to have an entire unit with you to change that. I’m
not sure why this has become so popular in modern bikes as you really
do need that rear light to fixable in my opinion. The same is true of the
indicators, granted a lot of people in London don’t bother with these
pesky lights as they think they drain the battery or something but I like
to indicate! I’d really prefer to be able to switch the bulb rather than
have to carry a load of spares around with me. A case of ascetics over
function for me on this one.