2019 KTM 790 Adventure R review

I’ve never felt as comfortable on a middleweight adventure bike as the KTM 790 Adventure R. The elements are all there: that delectable LC8c parallel twin engine which first debuted in the 790 Duke naked bike; the excellent WP Xplor suspension that allows the machine to float over all sorts of terrain; and geometry that makes for excellent handling – even with a full load of fuel.

The Triumph Tiger 800 XC and BMW F 850 GS Adventure now have some serious competition. Let’s go through the reasons why….

When Bikesales first rode the 790 Duke, we said at the time that the LC8c’s torquey characteristics would also make for an excellent adventure bike.

And that’s precisely what we’ve got with the KTM 790 Adventure R: there’s plenty of vibration-free grunt, which I felt as soon as I left KTM’s HQ in Sydney en route to a rather nippy and windy Blue Mountains.

For those who don’t require the immense horsepower of a bike like the hulking 1290 Super Adventure R then the more tractable, manageable traits of the KTM 790 Adventure R (and its 790 Adventure sibling) makes perfect sense.

The 790 Adventure R is significantly lighter as well, weighing in at claimed 189kg (dry) compared to 217kg (dry) for the 1290. That’s significant.

Related:
2018 KTM 790 Duke launch review

The KTM 790 Adventure R’s torquey nature is felt early on, before starting to kick along at 4000rpm and then really punching hard at 6000rpm. At that point, the 89Nm peak isn’t that far away (6500rpm), and it then keeps spinning up hard up to – and beyond – its 95hp power peak at 8250rpm. Really impressive.

The KTM 790 Adventure R, which has uni-directional (up) quickshifter, has four riding modes – Street, Rain and Offroad and Rally, the latter providing the most direct throttle response as well as the ability to change the traction control on the fly using the up and down arrows on the left-hand switchblock. There are nine settings: nine being the most intrusive and one where you feel like Toby Price.

Outside of Rally and back into more sedate parameters, every riding impulse is catered for in the other three modes, with traction control matched to the mode in question, while the ABS is selected independently. Both can be deactivated.

As far as electronics go across the board, KTM remains on or near the top of the pops – adventure or road.

While the engine is superb, the WP Xplor suspension on the 790 Adventure R is the bike’s pièce de résistance. That normal ‘chop’ you get with adventure bikes doesn’t seem to be an issue on the 790 Adventure R, which means it soaks up an extraordinary amount of punishment – and keeps the rider in control rather than the other way around.

It’s confidence inspiring, and I’d compare it more to riding a larger enduro machine than a middleweight adventure bike. Yes, it’s that good, particularly the front end. Just keep the weight on those big bear-trap footpegs (which have removable rubber inserts) and enjoy the ride. Suspension travel is 238mm at both ends.

In our 2017 big-bore adventure comparo, the 1290 Super Adventure R also excelled in the suspension department.

The 790 Adventure R, which details for $20,995 plus on-road costs, has a steel trellis frame, and it’s nearly as fun to ride on the road as the dirt – although the Metzeler Karoo 3 tyres probably beg to differ….

Related:
2019 KTM Adventure rides return
790 Adventure pricing and availability
New product: Andy Strapz KTM 790 pannier frames

That 21-inch front wheel is seemingly no impediment to sharp cornering and, with a ‘sit-in’ feel, the 790 Adventure R is comfortable for the long haul. And you’ll get plenty of consecutive miles in the bank with the 20-litre tank. The bike has a one-piece seat and large grab rails for a passenger.

The air filter also lurks under the seat for easy access.

That low-slung rally tank helps to keep the weight low as feel (as well as adding another layer of engine protection), so there’s none of that ‘tip, tip, drop’ top-heavy feeling that can be a by-product of an adventure bike full to the brim.

Meanwhile, the alloy taper handlebar on the 790 Adventure offers up to 30mm of range.

There's quite a bit of wind buffering on the open road, as the small screen provides very little protection – they simply can't be too high if you're punching through rough terrain. Want more protection? Then you can fit the taller one found on the 790 Adventure.

Elsewhere in the cockpit, the mirrors are big and functional, both levers are span adjustable, there’s a proper 12-volt socket, and the TFT screen isn’t too text-heavy – perfect for an enduro application. Most of the adjustments are via the left-hand switchblock using four arrows – no settings are ever too far away.

Our test unit also had an accessory nylon tank bag fitted, which felt robust and has zip fasteners galore.

KTM 790 ADVENTURE R ACCESSORIES

It’s just so easy to get enthused about a machine which doesn’t really have any weaknesses. Fast and fluid movement is the norm, and the bike has a chassis which is probably too good for most riders – you’ll reach your limit before it does.

Still, a great position to be in, which is why the KTM 790 Adventure R hits the sweet spot in so many ways, but especially in the fundamentals of performance, handling and braking.

KTM’s excellent strike rate continues.

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke DOHC parallel twin
Capacity: 799cc
Bore x stroke: 88mm x 65.7mm
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection with 46mm Dell’Orto throttle body

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 95hp (71kW) at 8250rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 89Nm at 6500rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Slipper

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated
Front suspension: WP 48mm Xplor upside-down fork, fully adjustable, 238mm travel
Rear suspension: WP PDS Xplor monoshock, fully adjustable, 238mm travel
Front brakes: 320mm discs with Brembo four-piston radial calipers, ABS
Rear brake: 260mm disc with Brembo twin-piston caliper, ABS
Tyres: Metzeler Karoo 3 – front 90/90-21, rear 150/70-18

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed dry weight: 189kg
Seat height: 878mm
Wheelbase: 1529mm
Fuel capacity: 20 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $20,995 plus on-road costs
Test bike supplied by: KTM Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres