2021 KTM 890 Adventure R and 890 Adventure R Rally first look

First things first: The 890 lineup is not replacing the 790s unveiled two years ago, at least not immediately. We saw KTM take this same strategy with the release of the 890 Duke R that sells concurrently with the 790 Dukes. So why should a prospective ADV buyer look at the 890s?

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R

The standard 890 Adventure R gets KTM’s 889 cc engine, now boasting 20 percent more rotating mass at the crank. Weight weenies may gasp, but that additional weight will allow the 890 Adventure to perform better at the low speeds often required in technical adventure riding. The new crank mass is managed by two new balance shafts, the extra piston heat is tamed with additional oil jets, and the new knock sensor “[allows] for low-octane fuel — perfect for round the world travel.” World travelers will also dig the 5.3-gallon tank. Service intervals for the new engine are every 9,300 miles. Peak horsepower's up to 105 at 8,000 rpm, and torque is a healthy 74 foot-pounds at 6,500 rpm.

The 890’s chassis is upgraded over the 790’s with a slimmed subframe and an aluminum steering head tube, among other tweaks. The 890 also gets a reinforced slipper clutch, which KTM calls PASC, with “reworked shifting for faster gear changes” and an optional Quickshifter+. Standard wheels are spoked and tubeless in a 21/18 configuration, shod in Metzeler Karoo 3s. 

Tech includes a full-color TFT display, LED lighting, cornering ABS, traction control, multiple ride modes, and loads of customizability for different riding styles. This is a serious ADV offering. That said, serious adventurers will be disappointed to hear that KTM has not released final prices or weights for the 890s at this time. I'd expect this motorcycle to weigh around 435 pounds (dry) based on its similarity to the 790.

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R Rally

KTM being KTM, they couldn’t just leave things at the 890 Adventure R. Behold the 890 Adventure R Rally: a limited-production model intended to deliver the sharpest possible performance from this platform. Just 700 Rally-spec bikes will be available worldwide, and they’ll certainly come at a yet-undisclosed premium, if the 790 Adventure R Rally is anything to go by. 

These motorcycles wear almost every race-grade part in the KTM catalog, including WP XPLOR PRO suspension, carbon tank protectors, and Rally footrests that even Spurgeon wouldn’t have to swap out. There’s an Akrapovič exhaust, a taller race seat, a standard Quickshifter+, and thinner DID DirtStar rims for more off-road bias than the Adventure R. The Rally also gets 30 mm more travel over the Adventure R’s 240 mm. 

Apparently KTM’s been spending plenty of time around their Red Bull Racing team in MotoGP, because the 890 Adventure R Rally sprouted winglets! At least, that’s what KTM calls the clear plastic protrusions by the triple trees. (I’m kicking myself for not predicting that an ADV bike would get wings back in our 2020 predictions article, but I don’t think anyone could have predicted this year correctly, anyway.)

Spurgeon's take

I asked Common Tread’s resident adventure expert for his take on the new bikes, and here’s what Spurgie had to say: “The most exciting thing about these bikes to me is that 20 percent bump in rotating mass. That means the bike can be lugged a lot lower while you’re on the trail. With the 790, it just didn’t do well below 4,000 rpm. It would buck, and I thought it was harder to ride down low than it should be, especially compared to a bike like the Yamaha Ténéré that you can really lug. I’m also glad to see the Rally package return for riders who want to push the envelope with their KTMs."

"My biggest disappointment is that, from what I can tell, they still haven't switched to a hydraulic clutch instead of a cable. Clutch feel was one of my biggest issues with the old model. Yes, you can buy hydraulic clutch kits. I'm surprised to see that it's still a cable. Ultimately, it's not that big of an deal compared to the other improvements they've made. I hope this drives down the price of 790 Adventures... so I can buy one!"

The 890 Adventure R will be available in November. Preorders for the 890 Adventure R Rally will open on November 2. Watch ktm.com for preorder signups.

	2021 KTM 890 Adventure R	KTM 890 Adventure R Rally
Price (MSRP)	TBA	TBA
Engine	889 cc, liquid-cooled, parallel twin	889 cc, liquid-cooled, parallel twin
Transmission, final drive	Six-speed, chain	Six-speed, chain
Claimed horsepower	105 @ 8,000 rpm	105 @ 8,000 rpm
Claimed torque	74 foot-pounds @ 6,500 rpm	74 foot-pounds @ 6,500 rpm
Frame	Chromoly trellis	Chromoly trellis
Front suspension	WP XPLOR 48 mm fork, 9.4 inches of travel	WP XPLOR PRO 7548 48 mm fork, 10.6 inches of travel
Rear suspension	WP XPLOR monoshock with PDS, 9.4 inches of travel	WP XPLOR PRO 6746 monoshock with PDS, 10.6 inches of travel
Front brake	320 mm dual disc, multi-mode ABS	320 mm dual disc, multi-mode ABS
Rear brake	260 mm disc, multi-mode ABS	260 mm disc, multi-mode ABS
Rake	26.3 degrees	26.3 degrees
Wheelbase	60.4 inches	60.2 inches
Seat height	34.6 inches	35.8 inches
Fuel capacity	5.3 gallons	5.3 gallons
Tires	Metzeler Karoo 3, 90/90-21 front, 150/70-18 rear	Metzeler Karoo 3, 90/90-21 front, 150/70-18 rear
Available	November 2020	November 2, 2020 (preorders)
More info	ktm.com	ktm.com