Most notably, engine displacement was increased from 799cc to 890cc. The old 790 Adventure was a very good bike, and MD did a long-term evaluation and modification series on the 790. The 890 promises to make a very good bike even better, and that’s what our testing was designed to find out.
The subject of our test is the more dirt-focused R model. Compared to the S model it features longer travel suspension, more dirt worthy tires, and some other minor changes. Otherwise, the two platforms are identical.
Together with the larger displacement, KTM refined the parallel twin in the 790. The 890 has larger intake and exhaust valves and a higher lift cam, together with a higher compression ratio. Crankshaft weight is up 20% to smooth low rpm operation, and dual balance shafts were tuned for even smoother performance.
A stronger clutch handles the increased power output, and the overly-long shift lever travel found on the 790 has been reduced on the 890. The already good suspension on the 790 R has been further refined and updated with new settings, and an aluminum steering head replaces the old steel design.
Having tested both versions of the KTM 790 Adventure and having thousands of miles on our long-term test bike, the 790 S, I was immediately impressed with two aspects of the new, larger displacement motor found in the 890. For various reasons, including, certainly, the heavier crankshaft, the 890 feels significantly smoother than the 790. The 790 was already reasonably smooth for a large displacement twin, but the 890 takes this smoothness to another level.
The next thing I noticed about the motor was the increased power, particularly the torque response in the low and mid-range. Published dyno charts do not show a huge increase in peak torque or horsepower between the 790 and then 890, but the low-end and mid-range get a very significant bump in torque, which is exactly where you need it off road, and when on the road at the most typical throttle settings. The power delivery is just meatier and more immediate where you tend to use it most.
The old 790 R already had excellent suspension, and I can’t report that I noticed much difference between it and the 890 R in this regard. The 890 R has supple, but reasonably firm suspension for use both on the road and off. With adjustable units at both ends, the 890 Adventure R seems ready to tackle everything from a smooth, highway cruise to a hard core attack through a gnarly off-road trail. The unique fuel tank design helps create a feeling of balance, with much of the fuel carried very low on the bike.
Just like the 790, the 890 handles surprisingly well on the street. I noticed the front brake works much better, with better feel, as well as more power, compared to the 790. The shorter shift travel is also noticeable and appreciated.
Off-road, this is still a big bike compared to the motocross machines I used to race, but it handles much better than just about any full-size adventure bike I have ridden, with the possible exception of the Honda Africa Twin, which is also exceptional off-road.
Ergonomics are essentially unchanged from the 790, but that is just fine. Once you are moving, you are in a very upright, comfortable position with plenty of legroom. At a stop, however, shorter riders will be challenged by the seat height (over 34-inches). Unfortunately, this is typical of many adventure machines with longer travel suspension. I have a 31-inch inseam, and I made it work, but was on tippy toes at stops.
I should mention that our bike had the Tech Pack, a $550 option, that is basically a software download at your dealer. The standard model comes with three riding modes, integrated with an IMU, including Street, Rain and Off-Road. The Tech Pack adds a Rally mode, which includes a more aggressive throttle response and the ability to adjust a number of parameters, such as traction control and ABS.
The bottom line is that KTM has made an excellent motorcycle better. The 890 Adventure R can literally do it all, from commuting to touring to tackling relatively hard-core off-roading.
At a base price of $14,199, the KTM 890 Adventure R is not inexpensive, but this is a bike that hits a sweet spot in terms of power and weight, offers adjustable, well set-up suspension, and even good range from a 5.3 gallon fuel tank. Take a look at KTM‘s website for additional details and specifications.
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