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

[MIMSEY]

2020-2021 is suppose to big years, 2020 is euro 5, 2021 current models have to be euro 5.
2020 is Yamaha's Anniversary S10 will likely get its redesign then, I didn't want to wait until 2020 so I bought a leftover 2018 es, threw the winter. There was some talk of dropping the 1200 altogether and replacing it with a 900 version, based on the MT09/tracer engine. I don't think they will , because Honda Africa twin is getting bumped to 1100 cc in 2020. Kawasaki should have there KLR replacement out then too. Suzuki has some patents out for a new 1200cc vtwin, may see a new Vstrom as well. Or DR Big as the rumor suggests.
For ten years I left the Japanese bikes to try the eurobikes, I just got sick and tired of fixing them, and dealer support in my area, is non existent so for me and the for seeable future, I will be Yamaha. I don't want or need ready to race, I want ready to be reliable.
I would be happy if Yamaha could lighten the S10, hp boost and an Off-road mode to go with sport and touring. And A basic refresh I will try the KTM this summer but that low slung gas tank to me is just asking to crack first time it gets dropped on a sharp rock, time will tell I guess. An $300 (US) 450 cad, to unlock cruise control and heated grips... hmmm id have to think on that one for a while.

 

[Don T]

the 690 is about 74 hp ,mid 300's in weight , the 790 is about 105 hp and probably about 400 +- in weight ….. our local dealer has two 790's in stock at 13,999.00 , the 690 at 12,000.00 …. they are here now , you can put your hands on them …. I do not think the Yamaha T7 is going to compete well if at all unless its lighter more powerful and cost a lot less than its competition. it would have been better had they spent time doing a major up grade on the super tenere . 50cc displacement increase , 30 or 40 hp bump , improved ABS , ergos tweeked to fix known complaints , to be competitive with its competiton (1200+cc bikes ) BMW is about 135hp now , triumph is about 135 hp , KTM is about 160hp Ducati 160 hp . I could be wrong but did I see on this site that there are 7000 plus members , all waiting to at somepoint replace their ageing machines.... I have a 2012 , I still like it after all this time , it is a great motorcycle . but at some point if I still have the passion to ride I may want something new and updated , so that leaves out Yamaha ….sad.

I know that many have compared the 790 Adv and the T7 - and continue to do so. I find that it's a bit like comparing oranges and apples.

Both bikes are intended for all road travel (using a wide interpretation of what a road can be) - but that's about all they have in common.
Where the KTM is high tech/high performans the Yamaha is low tech/down to earth - this reflects on the price tag. In most markets the 790 R will be almost 50% more expensive than the T7.
Both bikes have the potential to be great rides, but I believe that they will cater to different buyer segments despite they basic similarities.

To me the "low tech/down to earth" philosophy behind the T7 is similar to Yamaha's approach when they designed the S10.
By today's standard and compared to the competition the S10 is an old school bike - and that isn't necessarily a bad thing, as one of the results is that it's maybe the most reliable big adventure bike on the market.
But the competition have now moved so far ahead of the S10, that it's time for an update of the model - an update I'm sure we'll see in a not too distance future.

I expect we will see a conservative update much like the one between the gen1 and gen2 model - some cosmetic changes, a bit more power, more advanced electronics (drive modes/ABS), TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity etc. I hope that Yamaha can resist the temptation to follow the trend of more cc and higher weight - 1200 and +550 lbs is more than enough for this kind of bike.

 

[greg the pole]

790 was at the bike show in January, but bolted to a stand. No idea how light it felt.

A few notes:
-rear shock is right above a huge cat. Should be interesting for heat disippation and oil life
-1st year of the p.twin for KTM
-New filter under seat. Easy to get to.
-Suspension should be damn near perfect right out of the box...Honda..you listening?
-Rims are taped. I'm guessing both front/back have humps on them. If tires are marked TL, there are no tubes in the rims. KTM rims are soft. So are tenere rims.
-It's well priced in Canada. So well in fact that they are blowing 1090s out the door
-Wonder if KTM will have the same issue they had with their 950 boiling fuel. The engine is wrapped around that tank
-It should sell well compared to the T7 simply because they announced it, brought it to shows, and are making it available the same year. T7 will only sell if it's cheap. As it's very basic, and has crap OEM spec.

 

[greg the pole]

I know that many have compared the 790 Adv and the T7 - and continue to do so. I find that it's a bit like comparing oranges and apples.

Both bikes are intended for all road travel (using a wide interpretation of what a road can be) - but that's about all they have in common.
Where the KTM is high tech/high performans the Yamaha is low tech/down to earth - this reflects on the price tag. In most markets the 790 R will be almost 50% more expensive than the T7.
Both bikes have the potential to be great rides, but I believe that they will cater to different buyer segments despite they basic similarities.

To me the "low tech/down to earth" philosophy behind the T7 is similar to Yamaha's approach when they designed the S10.
By today's standard and compared to the competition the S10 is an old school bike - and that isn't necessarily a bad thing, as one of the results is that it's maybe the most reliable big adventure bike on the market.
But the competition have now moved so far ahead of the S10, that it's time for an update of the model - an update I'm sure we'll see in a not too distance future.

I expect we will see a conservative update much like the one between the gen1 and gen2 model - some cosmetic changes, a bit more power, more advanced electronics (drive modes/ABS), TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity etc. I hope that Yamaha can resist the temptation to follow the trend of more cc and higher weight - 1200 and +550 lbs is more than enough for this kind of bike.

I have to agree with the above.
The T7 is based on a great motor with modest electronics, and somewhat basic fork and shock. It will go for ages with zero problems. And not getting released for a while in NA. Which is dumb.

Whereas the 790 is a clean sheet design, which may cause some issues, but might not. KTM road bikes always had issues right from the get go.
That said, there's lots of good things about KTMs. OEM suspension is one.

The S10 is getting on to a decade old. It's due for a re-vamp and not just a re-fresh. Overbuilt and bullet proof.

Honda cocked up some QC/QA issues with the AT. A few got sorted with the ATAS but lots of growing pains with that bike as well, even though it's Japanese and meant to be relieable
That said, it's been a good switch for me. The extra suspension travel and larger wheels make it a proper gravel tool.
I did consider a 1090, but it had it's own set of problems.
If I knew the issues about the 2016/2017 ATs I'd have gone with the 1090.

 

[robson]

yeah, ktm 790R is the one ugly bike I can tell...
just canceled my down payment on one. Too many unknown here,
e.g overheating? why skid plate is so "rare" or stress engine design? not sure about that personally.
Besides why travel bike need 240mm travel suspension and loads of electronics...

 

[Madhatter]

I think the 790 is better looking than most of the other ktm adv bikes , but and there is always a but, it fits in the middle where I have no interest... if im going to travel 500 + miles in a day I want big bike power and comfort , if I want to play in the dirt I want light weight …. im trying to learn a little proper dirt bike stuff on my crf 450 x , kinda funny we weigh almost the same . I have not had the pleasure of riding the bmw gs but sitting on one feels all day comfortable , light weight dual sports don't , but they are a different tool. my neighbor has a 701 husky powerful and fast , but a pain in the ass after a few hours and that's with an after market seat.... he does 4 hour rides . hey "neighbor , ride to big bend with us ", neighbor says , " to far I will trailer it there "... all bikes are a compromise , pick the one that suits what your going to do with it. the tenere is not a dirt bike , but I can travel on it with good comfort and carry all my gear. my crf450x never..... but its not a travel machine... klr 650 is a pretty good travel machine , but not much for dirt. so what is the 790, a 105 hp bike some will ride in the dirt others the street , and then they will sell it for what they really need....