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2019 KTM 790 Adventure Review | Motorcycle Test

2019 KTM 790 Adventure Review

Motorcycle Test By Wayne Vickers

For a fresh model, there’s a lot to like about the 790 Adventure. A whole lot. I spent some time on its sister bike the 790 Duke a few months back so had a reasonable idea of what to expect – but even then I was seriously impressed.

It’s a nice bike to live with day to day – and even with a couple of very minor niggles, it would have to go close to getting the gong for class leading mid-weight soft-roader.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

Contrasting to the Duke, the Adventure version has a little more scale to its overall dimensions and as a result doesn’t feel like a smaller capacity bike, like the Duke did.

I really gelled with the size. With its 850mm seat height it’s an easy thing to throw a leg over and on the go it feels super maneuverable. Worth noting that the seat height is 10mm lower than the F 850 GS, but it feels like a bigger difference than that.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

Also worth noting that it’s 30mm lower than the longer travel Adventure R version, and I’m sure that a fair chunk of the inherent handling capabilities come from the work that’s gone into weight placement and distribution.

The new 790 parallel twin is ridiculously compact, which allows the engineers to package it up in a way that gives even more clearance while keeping weight where it needs to be. And then of course there’s the funky fuel tank.

I admit that I had a bit of a psychological hurdle to get over with the placement of the wrap-around tank that drops down either side of the motor. The reality is that the design has no real issues for a soft-roader.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

The only time I was conscious of them was when I was sneaking around the boom gate into the work carpark where you need to pay attention to the curb, but it’s still safely clear of getting close to contact. So the issue is a mental one to overcome.

There’s 20 litres capacity there which gives a very handy range – I saw over 440 km a few times on my commute and it would have still had another 20 km left in it.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

On the R version and if you intend on doing serious off-roading, then you’d throw some crash protection on there anyway wouldn’t you? I’m sure there are numerous options out there.

While thinking about options, you’d probably also want to throw some spotlights on it too as the headlight throw isn’t as wide as I’d like given that I often have no choice but to ride amongst roos at night.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

The engine is also a little detuned from the Duke variant. I dunno why. When you have the ability to switch tunes electronically and have such good traction control, I don’t understand why you’d dial some power out.

Just give it the full welly so when you can use it, it’s there!

When I picked it up I knew it was slightly detuned and my immediate impression was that there wasn’t much hump there.. but it was actually in ‘Off-Road’ mode which tames it down even further.

A bit of a poke of the mode button controls had that sorted and it was more like what I expected. There’s 95 horses there and it’s genuinely a very good thing on the go with a surprisingly strong mid-range and top end.

KTM Adventure WV
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

Top gear roll on is bloody impressive and feels on par or better than anything else in its class. It can protest a little if you ask too much of it under 2500 revs – which you can occasionally fall into doing as its so tractable you forget to change down.

But keep the 790 over 4000rpm and it’s superb. How strong? A little dip of the throttle in second gear and getting back on it will loft the front up every time. It’s a ripper.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

The throttle feel is spot on, as is the quick shifter. Super smooth. In fact.. And this might sound weird but bare with me, it’s almost.. too smooth? Is that even possible you ask?

Well let me explain. I did find that I’d occasionally miss up-shifts in that I’d find myself lifting my foot so gently that it would trip the clutch engagement and the revs would rise, but I hadn’t moved the lever enough to trip the gear change.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

I’d probably like a little more solidity to the gear change, but it really is nitpicking. Admittedly the lever is positioned quite high with plenty of room for adventure/off road boots like mine – Trev commented on the lever position too but he was wearing road boots and had just stepped off the 1290 Super Duke and of course the shifter position is adjustable, it’s just that engagement is never quite rifle-bolt positive, a trait of pretty much every KTM gearbox I am yet to sample.

Downshifts were a delight and I didn’t miss a single one. You can almost lean on the lever and it will pull the gear in and slip down a cog. Lovely.

Suspension, brakes and overall handling were faultless and I found the riding position really natural. Controls are light and precise, like most soft roaders/adventure bikes the front brake is dialled more towards feel than initial bite to avoid dipping the front too much with the longer travel suspension – but there’s plenty of power once you give it a squeeze.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

It’s a very, very nice place to call home for a few hours. The seat seemed like it might be a bit firm at first but felt fine even after four hours in the saddle on my single longest day. As I said earlier, it’s a good thing – even more so for a fresh model.

All of my real niggles are on – or related to – the dash. Which shows just how good the rest of the bike is. The fuel gauge only shows increments below half which is puzzling, and the range meter can only be described as schizophrenic when it gets down to the business end of the tank. As in the bit where you need it to be reliable.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

Examples? My last fuel stop is 45km from home. So I need at least 90 kays of range in it as I pass it each night. Several times I’d go past and it would say I still had 120km range. Then I’d be 15 minutes up the road and it would show 40km… Then the next morning it might show 40, then 20, 10, 0.. Then 20 again.. So it needs a bit of work. It needs a look at.

KTM Adventure WV
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

The final niggle is the system for switching modes and turning traction control on and off. And to be fair, KTM aren’t the only manufacturer doing this.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

The trend of having multi-function buttons that you use to navigate through menus on the dash might be ok for more obscure setting changes and information, but it shouldn’t be used for ride mode or traction control.

Stick a dedicated button somewhere please that riders can press to activate and then press again to cycle through modes or toggle between on and off please.

Having to press two different buttons eight or more times (yes really), as well as rolling off the gas for three-seconds for traction control changes gets old pretty quickly when you’re transitioning from dirt to tarmac and back each ride and/or you feel like a bit of a play…

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

Once you do select off-road mode and disengage traction control though… It’s well worth it. The low seat height and ample mid-range make for great fun on a dirt road.

After spending some time on the Indian FTR 1200 S before this, which was a proper slide machine, I was in the mindset for skids… which the 790 Adventure is more than happy to oblige. That low seat height and clever weight distribution comes into its own once off tarmac and it’s a hoot. Mr Squiggle was out and about again.

Those dash related niggles aside, it’s a very impressive bike. Take my negative comments in the right context because they don’t impact the ride itself. I really do rate the 790 Adventure highly. So much so that the longer travel R version will absolutely be on the shortlist to replace my own Tiger 800 XC when the time comes.

KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

Why I like the 790 Adventure:

  • Love the overall dimensions. Big enough to have plenty of room, small enough to still feel nimble – great manoeuvrability.
  • That 790 engine has some serious punch from midrange up.
  • Proper comfy for long hauls – and big range too.
  • The low seat height will appeal to a lot of riders and makes it super accessible.

I’d like it more if:

  • Eight or more button presses to change mode or disable TC? C’mon…
  • Give it the full welly tune of the 790 Duke while you’re at it.
  • The fuel range readings need a bit of a talking to.
  • I’d have to tick the Akro slip on option for more noise (but I say that for every bike).

2019 KTM 790 Adventure Specifications

ENGINE
Displacement 799 cm³
Power 70 kW
Torque 88 Nm
Engine Type 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, parallel twin
Bore 88 mm
Stroke 65.7 mm
Starter Electric starter
Lubrication Forced oil lubrication with 2 oil pumps
Transmission 6-speed
Cooling Liquid cooled
Clutch PASC antihopping clutch, mechanically operated
EMS Bosch EMS with RBW
Co2 Emissions 98 g/km
Fuel Consumption 4.19 l/100 km
CHASSIS
Frame Design Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel frame using the engine as stressed element, powder coated
Front Suspension WP upside-down Ø 43 mm
Rear Suspension WP monoshock
Suspension Travel F 200 mm
Suspension Travel R 200 mm
Front Brake Dual radially mounted four-piston caliper
Rear Brake Two-piston floating caliper
Front Brake Disc 320 mm (x 2)
Rear Brake Disc 260 mm
ABS Bosch 9.1 MP (incl. Cornering-ABS and offroad mode, disengageable)
Chain X-Ring 5/8 x 1/4″
DIMENSIONS
Steering Head Angle 64.1 °
Ground Clearance 233 mm
Seat Height 850 mm
Tank Capacity 20 l
Dry Weight  189 kg
KTM Adventure TH
2019 KTM 790 Adventure

Source: MCNews.com.au

KTM Australia announces 790 prices

KTM Australia has announced the pricing for all their 2019 adventure models, including the new 790 Adventure and Adventure R, arriving in June 2019.

The 790 models start at $21,195 ride away and an extra $1500 for the R model at $22,695.

That compares with the BMW F 850 GS which starts at $17,990 (plus on-road costs) and goes up to $22,305 for the Rallye X model. 

The KTMs arrive several months before its major new mid-mid-sized competitor, the Yamaha Ténéré 700.

790 AdventureKTM 790 Adventure

The much anticipated 790 Adventure is powered by KTM’s new-generation LC8c 799cc in-line twin-engine with 70kW of power (95hp) and weighing in at only 189kg.

KTM claims 400km of range from the 20-litre tank. And it should all be smooth riding with two balancer shafts and long service intervals of 15,000km.KTM 790 Adventure

Suspension is, of course, WP, with 43mm forks, 200mm of travel, 233mm clearance and an 850mm seat height, compared with the Ténéré 700 at 880mm.

The engine sits in a CroMo steel frame with an open-lattice swingarm.

Finally, a manufacturer has provided an easy-to-adjust handlebar. It can be set in six different positions with a 30mm adjustment range making it comfortable no matter what size the rider and whether standing or sitting.

Instruments are in a 5-inch TFT display with a wide range of configurable information. The display varies according to light and the rev counter blinks to indicate when to shift.

KTM 790 Adventure

Electronic rider aids include traction control, cornering ABS, and an off-road mode with a smooth throttle response.

Other tasty features are LED lighting, steering damper and hefty 320mm twin discs with four-piston radially mounted callipers.

Factory accessories include an up/down quickshifter, heated grips and cruise control, as well as the usual protection parts and luggage.

KTM 790 Adventure R
790 Adventure R

The R model adds longer-travel 240mm suspension, Karoo 3 dirt tyres, 48mm WP XPLOR forks, upgraded shock and different bodywork.

690 Enduro R

KTM 790 Adventure 690 ENDURO R
690 Enduro R

The 690 Enduro R which returns in 2019 with several updates will cost $17,595 ride away.

It was previously available at $14,695 plus on-road costs.

One of the best for long-range touring is the addition of two balancer shafts to smooth out the LC4 single.

It also now gets the super-duper fully-adjustable WP XPLOR suspension.

There are two changeable rider modes (off-road and street), cornering ABS and traction control.

Styling is now sharper and slimmer, with a redesigned seat.

KTM Australia has also confirmed ride-away pricing for the rest of their 2019 adventure range: 1090 Adventure R $24,295, 1290 Super Adventure Super Adventure S $28,395 and 1290 Super Adventure R  $29,195.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

790 Adventure leads KTM assault

KTM Australia says the new 790 Adventure and R models will arrive here in June 2019, several months before its major new mid-mid-sized competitor, the Yamaha Ténéré 700.

The 790 Adventure is not the only new product from KTM on display at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan.

They also feature the new 690 SMC R (arriving in March 2019), 690 Enduro R (April), 1290 Super Duke GT (February) and SX-E 5 mini electric trail bike (December).

The latter is a KTM version of the Husqvarna EE 5 electric minicycle, tapping into the Euro frenzy over electric motorcycles.

790 AdventureKTM 790 Adventure

The much anticipated 790 Adventure is powered by KTM’s new-generation LC8c 799cc in-line twin-engine with 70kW of power (95hp) and weighing in at only 189kg.

KTM claims 400km of range from the 20-litre tank. And it should all be smooth riding with two balancer shafts and long service intervals of 15,000km.KTM 790 Adventure

Suspension is, of course, WP, with 43mm forks, 200mm of travel, 233mm clearance and an 850mm seat height, compared with the Ténéré 700 at 880mm.

The engine sits in a CroMo steel frame with an open-lattice swingarm.

Finally, a manufacturer has provided an easy-to-adjust handlebar. It can be set in six different positions with a 30mm adjustment range making it comfortable no matter what size the rider and whether standing or sitting.

Instruments are in a 5-inch TFT display with a wide range of configurable information. The display varies according to light and the rev counter blinks to indicate when to shift.

KTM 790 Adventure

Electronic rider aids include traction control, cornering ABS, and an off-road mode with a smooth throttle response.

Other tasty features are LED lighting, steering damper and hefty 320mm twin discs with four-piston radially mounted callipers.

Factory accessories include an up/down quickshifter, heated grips and cruise control, as well as the usual protection parts and luggage.

KTM 790 Adventure R
790 Adventure R

The R model adds longer-travel 240mm suspension, Karoo 3 dirt tyres, 48mm WP XPLOR forks, upgraded shock and different bodywork.

1290 Super Duke GT

1290 Super Duke GT KTM 790 Adventure
1290 Super Duke GT

KTM engineers have tweaked the 1301cc 75° V-twin LC8 engine from the 1290 Super Duke R and revised resonator chambers, titanium inlet valves and a new mapping.

The result is only an kilowatt of power to 130kW, while torque is actually down 3Nm to 141Nm.

KTM has also added and up/down Quickshifter.

Electronic rider aids include lean angle sensitivity for braking power and traction control and different ride modes – including the optional ‘Track’ mode.

There is a new aerodynamic windshield developed in a wind tunnel with multiple height positions and improved one-handed adjustability.

The new 6.5-inch TFT full-colour screen is claimed to be visible in direct sunlight and has a variety of menus chock full of info.

KTM MY RIDE smartphone connectivity allows the rider to use phone functions (navigation, phone, music) via an app through the bike’s screen.

Cosmetically it now has a Duke family appearance and a new LED headlight with daytime running light and tank spoiler-mounted LED cornering lights.

The latest generation WP semi-active chassis has “deeper analysing sensors” to adjust to surface conditions with a switch to select damping for Comfort, Street and Sport.

There are two new storage compartments on the side of the tank for a mobile phone, wallet, etc. One side has a USB charging socket.

Heated grips come standard.

690 Enduro R

KTM 790 Adventure 690 ENDURO R
690 Enduro R

The 690 Enduro R returns in 2019 with several updates.

One of the best for long-range touring is the addition of two balancer shafts to smooth out the LC4 single.

It also now gets the super-duper fully-adjustable WP XPLOR suspension.

There are two changeable rider modes (off-road and street), cornering ABS and traction control.

Styling is now sharper and slimmer, with a redesigned seat.

690 SMC R

KTM 790 Adventure KTM 690 SMC R
690 SMC R

Also returning for 2019 is the R supermotard version with an advanced electronics package and 6kW more power to 55kW and 73.5Nm of torque.

It also features two balancer shafts and dual-spark cylinder head.

KTM promises improved rider ergonomics, multiple electronic rider aid systems and new WP suspension.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com
https://motorbikewriter.com/790-adventure-leads-ktm-assault/