Been a while since I said anything here about the 890. I've actually been post a fair number of detailed videos about the bike
here on the DD channel.
I'm at 1,949 miles now. I've learned a lot, but still feel I have much more to understand about the 890.
First and foremost, the 890 has proven to be exactly what I wanted it to be....a comfortable, long distance capable, no compromise dirt bike. At least no compromise for how I'm going to ride dirt at this age. I have found nothing that I'd be willing to do on my old 690 that I am not willing to do on the 890. In fact, the 890 has been astonishingly easy to ride in some situations I had anticipated would be a little sketchy. Instead they proved to be nothing of concern.
It continues to impress as a twisty road carver. It's true you could never mistake a 890cc as 1290cc, but the handling of the bike is precise and rewarding in the curvy sections. I have never found a place where I thought the 21" front wheel was causing any interference with my enjoyment of riding on pavement. It's downright fantastic in the ability to hold a line.
It's impossible for me not to compare this to the SAS. They are two completely and totally different bikes. On the pavement the missing displacement is obvious. Dirt superiority is equally as unquestionable. Both bikes can perform in any environment, but each really shines in their natural habitat.
I've been thinking I was taking the SAS to Romney next month. After riding the 890 on Smoke Hole Road yesterday I started to have second thoughts. IF I get a chance to lead any rides, the SAS means I'm limited to leading a pavement ride. The 890 gives the ability to lead any kind of ride. No, it won't power out of a corner like the SAS, but the 890 is so good on the pavement, I doubt anyone is really going to notice. I'd like to take both, but if I can only have one...
The 890 could never unseat the SAS in my garage. A bike that could do that hasn't been invented yet. But as long as I'm still interested in riding off pavement, the 890 has earned a solid foothold on the space between the SAS and the GS.
That particular real estate has proven to be hard to secure. I think the 890 has an excellent chance of staying there long term.