KTM 890 Adventure & KTM 390 Adventure - Utah BDR Northern Section 6 to Bear Lake

[@maxostrowski5269]

Glad to see people showing what the S model can do. For what 99% of adv riders will do, I feel like my S will be perfectly capable. I also put my seat in the higher setting and being just over 6 foot, the bike feels perfect for commuting as well as doing exactly what you’re doing.

[@davetynan561]

I have an R1200GS that I realized was a bit too much bike while traveling the Continental Divide Trail a few years ago. After evaluating what’s available in the ADV market I chose the KTM 390ADV. It’s nice to see a 390 is staying with your 890. Thanks for the advice on GAIA. Saves the expense of buying another GPS. Nice video, thanks.

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

A 390 will stay with an 890 all day in that terrain if not even surpass it. I don't have the R model, so both bikes have the Apex suspension. I originally was going to buy a 2022 390 Adventure but gave up waiting for them to hit the States and ended up buying the 890 Adventure.

[@Tankerman]

I have the 890 standard model and am loving it. I have a KTM 250xc for actual trail riding so the S does everything I need. Havent gotten much riding in since buying it due to lifes road bump but thats just about done so I am looking forward to finally getting to explore.

[@sdefiel3719]

Would you be as happy/happier just with the 390? I chose the 390 ultimately because of the weight. Three people to pick up the bikes? Yeah, it's nice to have friendly passersby to help. If conditions are PERFECT, I can get my 875# Harley Limited back up no problem. The first time I tried to pick up the 390 I almost threw it to the other side. Nice vid, thanks, S

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

For the portion of the ride you saw which is across the Velvet Ridge off-road I would most certainly be happier with the 390. Now what you don’t see is that on that same journey we rode for over eight hours total on highways which is where the 890 certainly shines over the 390. My 890 did absolutely fine in that off-road stuff, but your point about picking the bike up is valid. If you intend to ride alone, which I intend to do at times, then picking the bike up is a major concern. Get the 390 in that case.

[@nvmcrider8475]

Looks like an awesome adventure.

[@catinapond]

How do you have your phone mounted ?

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

I actually have another video about some mounts I have used. See the “RAM Mounts Quick-Grip Phone Holder Comparison Standard vs XL” video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqTVZ2CErtWEnsU In this particular video, however I have a Quad Lock mount with the motorcycle vibration dampening attachment.

[@4tech69]

Zumo XT is great but not for creating routes. Need to do it outside of the device.

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

Agreed. I just got a Zumo XT for Christmas. It’s like any Garmin device. Great for pointing the way, but terrible for creating the routes. I’ll stick to Gaia for that.

[@pfdavidz]

Thanks. Can experiences riders do two sections a day or that’s really pushing it? 🙏🏼

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

This is the only section of the Utah BDR I have ridden so far, and it wasn’t even the whole section 5. We started fairly late in the afternoon. I have to imagine that two sections could be ridden in a day, but that also probably depends on which two sections are targeted. This northern section (and last section of the Utah BDR) was pretty easy to ride. There was nothing technically challenging about it.

[@scottkouns8578]

Great video! Enjoyed the whole ride of the Utah bdr and your comments. I’m going with your same upgraded tires. Question for you: why did you choose the Adventure over the R model?

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

Thanks Scott. That is a very good question that I still debate in my head. I originally was going to purchase a 2022, KTM 390 Adventure. I gave up waiting for those due to delivery issues in the US. I then found and decided to purchase the 890 Adventure. In another one of my videos, I talk a lot about that decision. Cost wasn’t the biggest factor but played a role. I effectively double what I was going to pay by going from the 390 to the 890. Bike size and height had a huge impact in the decision. I really wanted a bike that I could get some feet down on for my first adventure bike. The standard model just felt more comfortable to me. I wasn’t sure I would need the upgraded suspension for what I planned to do. Looking back, I probably would buy the R model and go to the effort of lowering it a bit. Time will tell if I need that extra suspension or not. So far, however, it has worked great for me.

[@masterspin7796]

I was wondering why you two are not standing on the pegs and getting off of the seat, especially in the rougher stuff...?

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

Sometimes I sit and sometimes I stand. It depends on how rough it is. This particular route we took didn't have a lot of rough stuff. I stood up through some of it. My son doesn't like to stand up a lot. He needs to get some bar risers and lower/flat foot pegs. He's tall enough that standing up on the 390 Adventure isn't really comfortable.

[@masterspin7796]

@@HardBoiledGregADV I understand thanks...

[@JimKonugres]

Ready to purchase an 890. Did you feel the S Model suspension was adequate enough? Thanks.

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

That completely depends on how aggressive off-roading you plan to be. For the couple of trips I have taken it on the suspension has been just fine. Watch my video of riding the Velvet Ridge in central Utah to see how that compares with what you plan on doing. The 890 S handled that with no problem at all. I'm sure I could take it on more aggressive trails than that. Honestly, it's the seat height of the S that sold me. Being new to adventure riding, the seat height played a big role in my decision. Otherwise, I would have purchased the R.

[@beamdoctor5637]

@@HardBoiledGregADV agree totally about the seat height being lower is a better advantage in tough terrain packed with gear than the taller R.

[@jonasbaine3538]

any issue with iphone being vibrated all day ?

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

Well, my iPhone is still working, but I question whether or not the vibration dampener from Quadlock is actually dampening the vibration sufficiently. When I'm on a washboard road that thing is vibrating like crazy. I'm seriously considering a Garmin Zumo and keeping the iPhone in the tank bag.

[@trailrunningman7002]

Great video! I was thinking of getting that Tusk tank bag for my 890. Does it get in your way standing up?

[@HardBoiledGregADV]

I don’t even notice it when standing up. It’s a great bag. I had the small unit (now on the KTM 390) and traded up to the large and am glad I did. That little extra storage is nice.