KTM 890 Adventure R: bikesales Bike of the Year 2021 finalist
Is it a road bike? Is it a dirt bike? No, it's the KTM 890 Adventure R, and it's arguably the superman of dual-sport motorcycling
Why is the KTM 890 Adventure R a BOTY finalist?
Most dual sport bikes are essentially road bikes with off-road capability, but the KTM 890 Adventure R is closer to a dirt bike with road capability.
Very few motorcycles have blurred the lines between road and off-road as much as the KTM 890 Adventure R. It has genuine go-anywhere capability, something that many other adventure tourers promise, but don’t quite deliver.
Given that its predecessor, the KTM 790 Adventure R, won the 2019 bikesales Bike of the Year award, the 890 Adventure R has big shoes to fill. And while the newer model doesn’t reinvent the game, it does improve on the 790 R with a bigger engine, an upgraded chassis, and more refinement.
The 890 Adventure R ticks all the boxes for a middleweight adventure bike – comfortable ergonomics and geometry, a full suite of electronics, and great luggage capability. The engine is capable and a lot of fun, allowing you to tear up the tarmac, while still remaining manageable on the dirt, and the ride modes allow for plenty of customisation, while the off-road settings are spot on.
But where the 890 Adventure R really separates itself from the pack, is with its mind-blowing WP Xplor suspension package that transforms a typical adventure bike into a dirt bike.
The ability to tackle almost any type of terrain with confidence and composure is something that not many other dual-sport bikes can offer. The WP suspension soaks up everything in its path and allows you to push much harder than you normally could on an adventure bike.
To say the KTM 890 Adventure R is the best adventure bike on the market would be unfair, because there are other machines with more comfort, more technology, more simplicity, and better engine performance. But the 890 R is a BOTY finalist because it is one of only a handful of adventure tourers that can truly master all roads (and non-roads).
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Who will the KTM 890 Adventure R appeal to?
The KTM faithful are a dedicated and feverish bunch, and the 890 Adventure R will be right up their alley. Riders who prefer BMW luxury, Yamaha simplicity, or Triumph heritage should look elsewhere, because the 890 R is for a very specific type of rider.
Technical terrain is the name of the game, and off-road riders who want a little more long-distance comfort for their expeditions into the bush should be rejoicing. The 890 R is literally the best of both worlds, with plenty of comfort and tech, and unbelievable off-road performance.
In a way, the 890 Adventure R is like a maxi-enduro bike. Sure, a KTM 500 EXC is lighter and will get you through techo terrain quicker. But if you want more comfort and decent tarmac performance, then the 890 R is an excellent compromise.
There are other machines that follow a similar formula – namely the Yamaha Tenere 700 – but the KTM’s suspension is what separates itself when off-road focused riders are concerned.
What does the KTM 890 Adventure R cost?
The KTM 890 Adventure R checks in at a fairly reasonable $24,470 ride away. That price won’t suit everyone, but the likely target audience will be willing to fork out the dosh.
Many potential 890 R customers will be existing riders who are looking to upgrade, and many would be willing to pay the extra money for a capable and well-equipped machine.
Also worth noting is that features like cruise control, a quickshifter, motor-slip regulation, and Rally mode are optional extras. You can purchase these individually, or as part of the ‘Tech’ pack, which adds roughly $1200 to the total. While we think these features should be standard, they are worth forking out that little bit more.
What have we already said about the KTM 890 Adventure R?
The Australian media launch for the KTM 890 Adventure R was a three-day ride through the Blue Mountains outside Sydney, taking in a wide variety of terrain that was mostly off-road. In his launch report, bikesales editor Dylan Ruddy said: “At first, I wasn’t sure how far off the beaten path we would be going, but by the end of the ride it was clear that KTM has nothing to hide – the brand has full faith in the 890 Adventure R’s off-road ability.”
Ruddy was most impressed with the 890 Adventure R’s suspension. “The setup is very similar to that of the EXC enduro range, and it shows,” he wrote. “I’m just going to say it – the 890 Adventure R rides better than many enduro bikes. And scarily, that is not an exaggeration.”
In summing up Ruddy said: “Adventure is an art for KTM, and the new 890 Adventure R might just be its masterpiece.”
KTM 890 Adventure R at a glance:
Price: $24,470 ride away
Engine: 889cc, liquid-cooled, four-stroke DOHC parallel twin
Output: 105hp/100Nm
Transmission: Six-speed
Weight: 196kg (dry)
Seat height: 880mm
Fuel capacity: 20 litres
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