KTM 790 Adventure R

KTM 790 Adventure

After seeing first hand the lengths that KTM have gone to in order to make the dimensions of their new 75-degree offset crank-pin 790 cc parallel twin as minimalist as possible, and then sampling how strong and linear the performance of the 435-degree firing interval engine is myself over many kilometres of fanging the 790 Duke, I am dying to see just how well this engine will translate in to the 790 Adventure, but unfortunately we are going to have to wait until its June 2019 arrival to sample it!

KTM quote 95 horsepower at 8000 rpm and 88 Nm at 6600 rpm for both 790 Adventure models.  This is 10 hp down on the 790 Duke, but the claimed 88 Nm torque is marginally higher while at 6600 rpm, that peak twist arrives 1400 rpm earlier than the 790 Duke.

The incredibly small engine packaging (only fractionally larger externally than the 375cc single in the 390 Duke), gives KTM the room to fit a long swingarm and more space for the fuel cell.

The small engine dimensions also allow for plenty of ground clearance while maintaining a reasonable seat height.

Clearance on the 790 Adventure is 233 mm while the 790 Adventure R has 263 mm of clearance.

Seat height on the Adventure is adjustable between 830 and 850 mm while the saddle on the 790 Adventure R is a taller 880 mm. 

Both are also claimed to tip the scales at 189kg without their 20-litre fuel cells being topped up.

Thus we can extrapolate that the 790 Adventure weighs in at 204kg fully fuelled and ready to ride.

Again those slim and compact engine dimensions have played their part in keeping the fuel low with the tank extending down alongside the engine, similar to what we once saw in the 990 Adventure models some years ago.

KTM claim a fuel range as high as 450 km from the new bikes and while this might be possible when being nursed, realistically a rider will more likely able to count on a 350+ km range in most touring duties. 

Predictably, KTM owned WP provides the suspension for both bikes.

Inverted 43 mm forks on the Adventure grow to more premium 48 mm XLPOR forks in the R.

Suspension travel at both ends is 200 mm for the Adventure and 240 mm on the R. 

Both bikes roll on an 18-21 inch spoked rim combination. 

Easily adjusted from the left bar-mounted menu switch, the KTM 790 Adventure has different ride modes to enable riders to explore the full potential of the bike.

Street, Offroad and Rain riding modes, along with the optional Rally mode (standard on the R), alter the behaviour and feeling of the engine.

Changing a ride mode changes the throttle response, the traction control level and, depending on the mode, the peak power. 

The KTM 790 Adventure is also equipped with the state-of-the-art TFT display. Easily readable in all conditions, the full color, 5″ screen’s configuration is variable and automatically adapts to changes in environmental light.

The main information is arranged in a position where the rider can immediately see it, while additional displayed information can be chosen by the rider with the integrated KTM MY RIDE system is integrated. This allows pairing with a smartphone for receiving (or rejecting) phone calls, listening to music and, using the optional app, navigating with on screen turn-by-turn directions along with audio prompts.