KTM 790 Adventure R - a likely replacement for my S10.

[Don T]

I picked up a brand new S10 in the fall of 2015. It now has 90.000 km on the clock and runs better than ever.
I'm still very pleased with the bike and plan on keeping it for at least another year or two.

In resent years my riding have moved progressively towards unpaved roads and trails - especially when I travel.
The S10 have proved a decent tool in that regard but I've realized that its weight and modest ground clearance and suspension travel limits where I enjoy taking the bike. For that reason I've decided that my next bike should be lighter and better suited for the dirt - while still being a capable street/touring bike.

In the fall I visited EICMA in Milan to have a look at the new combatants in the adv segment.
Prior to the show I was pretty sure that the Ténéré 700 would be the most likely candidate and I was really looking forward to see it in the flesh.

To my surprise the bike that made the biggest impression on me at the show wasn't the T7 but the new KTM 790 Adventure R.
I really like how it looks and it's significantly lighter than the S10 - and has more ground clearance and suspension travel. Besides that it has several features that appeals to me. To mention a few: Optional cruise control (I have come to love that on my S10), tubeless tires, a steering damper and a fuel tank that doubles as a crash bar (no need to add weight there). I liked the ergonomics and got the impression of a well build and thought out adventure travel bike.

I can't wait to get the chance to take one for a spin, to see if it lives up to my expectations - I'm also looking forward to try the T7, but after seeing both bikes in the flesh my interest for the Yamaha have faded somewhat.

It will be interesting to see, if the 790 will be the bike that make me buy European for the first time - after 27 years and more than ½ million kilometers on Jap bikes.

Damn I think it looks sexy

 

[Sierra1]

Doesn't it change into a robot too? Looks like it should anyway.

 

[snuffcityrider]

I like it but I wonder if they ever got their dust sucking air filters sorted out?

 

[Computer Doctor]

A lot of things that look good and are sexy are extremely high maintenance--just sayin'

 

[BWC]

The KTM 790 and the Moto Guzzi 850 TT were getting a lot of attention at the recent west coast bike show here in Canada. The 790 certainly looks good, and in comparison to the BMW 850 and Africa Twin I think it has a lot to offer
and should do well.
Not in the market for any of the above, but I think I would also be looking at the KTM if I was.
Local dealer says they should be getting six of the 790 Adventure in some time this summer.

 

[Don T]

I like it but I wonder if they ever got their dust sucking air filters sorted out?

I sure hope so - it would be stupid (and it would surprise me) if they haven't learned from faults on earlier models.

 

[Don T]

A lot of things that look good and are sexy are extremely high maintenance--just sayin'

Some of my friends have been riding orange bikes for a long time and I get the impression, that KTM gradually are changing their approach to building road bikes. It seems they have realized that many costumers don't want to pay for a "Ready To Race" bike, if the price is unreliability and/or high maintenance.
The 790 have a 15.000 km service interval (valves every 30.000 km).

After many years with reliable Jap bikes I've been hesitant to buy European, but I feel that it might be time to give it a try - it suits me well though that the 790 will have been on the market for a couple of years before I buy one - leaving KTM time to sort out any possible issues.

 

[Nikolajsen]

But...doesn't it have a chain ;-)

 

[Boris]

Looks great, really impressive. I'm sure it'll be a cracking bike.

Go treat yourself and enjoy it.

 

[twinrider]

Looks great, really impressive. I'm sure it'll be a cracking bike.

Go treat yourself and enjoy it.

Looks like it belongs on the set of Alien. The Triumph 1200 Scrambler XE looks like a motorcycle and has far better specs.

 

[Don T]

Looks like it belongs on the set of Alien. The Triumph 1200 Scrambler XE looks like a motorcycle and has far better specs.

The Triumph is a nice looking bike, but I like the styling of the 790 better - each to his own.

I get a bit confused when you claim the Triumph has better specs - the 790 Adventure R is lighter, has more horse power, bigger fuel tank, better standard crash protection, 18" vs 17" rear wheel and it seems better suited for carrying luggage.
Suspension travel, ground clearance and wheel base is about the same on the two bikes.

 

[Don T]

But...doesn't it have a chain ;-)

I like shaft drive, but chain isn't a deal breaker for me.
Earlier I have used a Scottoiler to make life with a chain easier - now I just replace chain and sprockets every time I change tires, this way I don't have to worry much about lubing and adjusting between changes.

 

[jpward]

I sure hope so - it would be stupid (and it would surprise me) if they haven't learned from faults on earlier models.

I would hope so too, but I don't think this is a safe assumption to make. The problem has persisted for multiple years on their adv bikes leaving many owners left to fix it themselves. I can't imagine how frustrating this would be.

 

[Don T]

I would hope so too, but I don't think this is a safe assumption to make. The problem has persisted for multiple years on their adv bikes leaving many owners left to fix it themselves. I can't imagine how frustrating this would be.

It appears that KTM has chosen a all new air box/filter/intake design for the 790.

 

[markjenn]

I like this bike too, but since the OP mentions tubeless as an important feature of the bike, I'm hearing a lot of controversy about whether this thing really has tubeless tires or not. (And just to be clear, just because the tires says "tubeless" on the sidewall, it does not mean it doesn't use tubes in any particularly application.) Some are saying no, others say only the non-R, others are saying that both models are tubeless based on their discussions with KTM brass. FWIIW, I've never seen a KTM spec page which says the wheels are tubeless and they do specifically talk about tubeless on their other Adv models which are. I don't think we'll really know until the bike appears in owner's hands.

- Mark

 

[Don T]

I like this bike too, but since the OP mentions tubeless as an important feature of the bike, I'm hearing a lot of controversy about whether this thing really has tubeless tires or not. (And just to be clear, just because the tires says "tubeless" on the sidewall, it does not mean it doesn't use tubes in any particularly application.) Some are saying no, others say only the non-R, others are saying that both models are tubeless based on their discussions with KTM brass. FWIIW, I've never seen a KTM spec page which says the wheels are tubeless and they do specifically talk about tubeless on their other Adv models which are. I don't think we'll really know until the bike appears in owner's hands.

- Mark

I spoke to the KTM people at EICMA and they confirmed that both the versions of the 790 Adventure comes standard with tubeless ready rims. This has since been confirmed from other trust worthy sources.

 

[Nikolajsen]

I like shaft drive, but chain isn't a deal breaker for me.
Earlier I have used a Scottoiler to make life with a chain easier - now I just replace chain and sprockets every time I change tires, this way I don't have to worry much about lubing and adjusting between changes.

Thats one way to deal with the "chain problem".

I also really like that a shaft drive don't mess with chain spray all over.
I have a riding buddy that have a Scottoiler, and this mess even more than chain spray

 

[Don T]

Thats one way to deal with the "chain problem".

Jeg kan nu også godt lide at det ikke sviner, jeg er sindsygt glad for at min bagsvinger ikke mere er syltet ind i kædeolie.
Jeg har en makker, der bruger scottoiler, og det sviner da endnu mere.

Compared with what I otherwise spend on my 2 wheel passion, the cost of a chain kit every 20.000 km is insignificant.

In my experience a proper adjusted Scottoiler doesn't make more of a mess than using spray lube.

 

[Barrel]

Good day

Another great middle-size machine!!

I ride with some of my KTM`s friends, super machines like the KTM 1190 and 1290.... I can say that with riders of +- the same skills as me that these bikes are awesome off road...I pretty much go to the same places as them but not as fast......I can just imagine what a middle-size aventure bike like the 790 will be able to do off-road...same apply with the new T7.

Great choice for a solo rider with more extreme adventure rides in mind!!!

Just one comment in regard to the KTM tubeless (in regard to the 1190 and 1290) lots of my KTM`s friends had to put tubes anyway as the rim are fairly light for better performance and weight but not as solid....... they could bent more easily but again it depends on the way their ride also (i.e very fast...very fast..).....they usually bring spare tubes for longer ride just in case.....

All the best!!

 

[Nikolajsen]

Compared with what I otherwise spend on my 2 wheel passion, the cost of a chain kit every 20.000 km is insignificant.

In my experience a proper adjusted Scottoiler doesn't make more of a mess than using spray lube.

Point taken
(both of them ;-)