did you ride a 1098/1198/s? how about the s1000rr? what made you go with the KTM? any thoughts about the transmisison on the KTM, some reviews said it was a bit notchy and missed gears etc...
i've ridden a 1098, 1098s and 1098r... all had the same problem with the stock geometry... my friend has a 1098s with the 30mm kyle triples and that solved a lot of the vagueness on corner exits, but i still think the ktm beats it in the handling and chassis department... the 1098 engine is MUCH more snatchy when it comes to power delivery, the ktm is like a VERY fast 51 motor, butter smooth at all revs and pulls HARD.
as for the tranny, they say that much of the issues were sorted with the R, and any issues the R may have had i think may go by the wayside with that big beefy spindle stabilizer from sato. the stock linkage for the shifter is actually on an offset aluminum arm which may have caused flex issues, it should be gone with the satos...