KTM 890 Adventure R | First Ride

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The KTM 890 Adventure R is a bike that's kinda slid under the radar. It feels as though the 790 was only out for a minute before KTM replaced the motor with a more powerful, jazzy version.
It's a port of the 890 Duke engine and that brings more power and more torque. We headed to the KTM Adventure Centre at Sweet Lamb in Mid Wales for rip around on the new bike. This is very much a first ride, however the bike feels as good as ever. The engine updates have provided incremental gains, fixes to old problems and leave the new 890 in a very good place.

[@TroyAdam]

The fact you can jump an adventure bike gives you instant cred as a reviewer. Great review which was honest about the bikes limitations 👍

[@BrakeMagazine]

I appreciate that! Only yesterday someone was saying I wasn't good enough to be a bike reviewer 😂

[@TroyAdam]

@@BrakeMagazine Haters gonna hate 😂

[@thfazi1]

@@BrakeMagazine dude that riding especially the slow-mo shots were amazing

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@thfazi1 Thanks!

[@JohannesDalenMC]

I’m currently riding the TET in Norway on my T7. A few days ago I met a guy on a 890 adv r. We switched bikes for a few hours and the engine on the 890 is just crazy fast. Like a rocket. The pull in 2nd gear was nuts!

[@BrakeMagazine]

Yup. It's a fast one! More than quick enough to scare you senseless 😂

[@Captndarty]

Yep perhaps some buyers remorse?

[@JohannesDalenMC]

@@Captndarty I’m more than happy with my T7 :)

[@CyberducPA]

@@JohannesDalenMC yes, ure right, the t7 is a good bike, i like it but i choose the KTM cause i think its the better package for dual sports

[@JohannesDalenMC]

@@Captndarty I'm rewatching this video and I see that I left a comment here. Had to tell you the T7 is gone and I now own a 701 enduro. No buyers remorse at the time you ask (still none as I appreciate the experience), but I'm now on a completely different machine to say the least 😁

[@jesselucero8503]

Great Review. I ride a 2020 790R and switched from the 45 tooth rear to a 47 and it made a world of difference in torque off road while not compromising anything on the street. 1st is more usable in the really tight technical sections and I can pretty much lug 2nd everywhere else. Can’t imagine needing more power. Just Change gearing a little and your good to go.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Interesting insight for sure! Would love to try it!

[@R12gsa09]

How do you handle long distance traveling? My 2019 790 begs for another gear at 75mph on I-405 from SoCal to northern Cali

[@jesselucero8503]

@@R12gsa09 the longest trip I’ve done on this sprocket setup is a little over 300 miles round trip and had no issues. The rpm is around 250 to 500 higher so at 75 I’m usually around 4500 rpm.

[@R12gsa09]

@@jesselucero8503 I appreciate the feedback, but I’m very surprised. I’m at 5500rpm as it is, at 75mph. I couldn’t possibly fathom that 5% power increase must have had so much impact between the 790 and the 890 versions.

[@jesselucero8503]

@@R12gsa09 sorry I meant 5500 not 4500 rpm.

[@caldeirone]

I just love your reviews! Technically simple for the masses yet incisive.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks. Really appreciated.

[@stevecarmack6267]

Another great video. Every time I watch one of your videos I’m impressed with the content. Thank you for the quality you present.

[@gasdive]

I know it's not sexy, but things like "can you change air filters in a few seconds without tools" are also important, but never mentioned in tests. You know, the practical stuff that matters out on the trail.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Totally agree

[@EugeneYunak]

luckily maintenance is very easy and fast on the 790. especially air filter

[@BlackThor15]

Amazing image quality, well done!! 👍👍

[@BrakeMagazine]

Many thanks!

[@richardkaiser6662]

I hope to pick up my 2021 KTM 890 Adv R here in the next week. Your review is very helpful...Richard K

[@brucekendall52]

Always a good analytical review.Thanks.

[@0HARE]

This bike is a thoroughbred. Wish I could justify the cost. Thanks for a great review.

[@bradb2514]

What fun! Thanks for the review.

[@BrakeMagazine]

Thanks for watching!

[@Blazemon9999]

Way to give Al an actual taste of what's in store at Dakar lol

[@davidc1961utube]

Not much mud in Saudi...

[@SWFlowseeker]

It’s a great bike…blast to ride Came from a Tiger 900 RP

[@davidhardstaff8110]

Currently on the tiger. But Im 80% road. Next year the TET is on the agenda so may need a second bike or 're consider

[@SmokinZen]

In person the bike is huge

[@christiansaywhat4492]

What's your height? If you don't mind me asking. I'm 5,6" and I have to drive 50+ miles to look at one. I'd rather not have "huge" surprises...

[@spinsing3529]

Yes….sounds great…..but will it leave you stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Probably less so than the last one. Half the the changes sound like fixes .

[@SamiNami]

It will. These big outlets have deals that they wont say anything bad about the bikes.

[@Slov_]

@@BrakeMagazine well that’s just what I needed to hear in order to sell my 2018 GSA. Want something more nimble and less weight for off road work while not giving up too much road capability.

[@Crust2013]

What you think this bikes for ,gay review.

[@BrakeMagazine]

@@SamiNami Me and my dub 50k subscribers a) say plenty of bad things and b) are tiny and insignificant. Please don't tar me with a brush you apply to others. 🤣

[@vineethmuralidharan8336]

When it will launch in India?

[@gregarnett6994]

How is it putting 100 miles of highway to get to the 100 miles of dirt..? Is it comfy enough on the hwy section?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Depends on your definition of comfy. It does the job better than an enduro, worse than a GS.

[@EugeneYunak]

it’s more comfortable than vfr800 or most other street bikes for long days in the saddle, but worse than a goldwing or gs. more than enough comfort for me with 1000km a day ride on a highway

[@stangindude99]

The question is, is it good enough to sell my stock tenere for?

[@BrakeMagazine]

Depends what you wanna do with it.

[@defylifeadventure]

Where these Sweet Lamb bikes, I know they some some there, or where they KTM demo bikes? I'm curious what tyres Moly has put on the 890s at Sweet Lamb.

[@BrakeMagazine]

I believe they were Sweet Lamb bikes and had Mitas tyres fitted.

[@tlv8184]

In comparison to Africa twin 2020 ,what are the major differences when of roading?

[@BrakeMagazine]

A lot. This is lighter, more balanced and has significantly stiffer suspension. Plus the riding position is more off road and as a result better. The AT has a lot more torque which is nice but it feels heavier. The suspension is comfortable but very soft and that has some draw backs.

[@kttmmedellin7138]

I'm guessing the decat and Arrow can on an old 790 just about have it where the 890 is now

[@BrakeMagazine]

I think that and a fuel controller will bring up a lot. It's amazing what a touch more fuel will do!

[@kttmmedellin7138]

@@BrakeMagazine We shall see on some Manizales back roads this week!

[@tvmotocrazy5178]

@@BrakeMagazine I am currently Arrow decat and open rally muffler with fuel controller on my 890 advr. it's totally different machine now. :)

[@BrakeMagazine]

I can imagine. Tell us more!

[@kttmmedellin7138]

@@BrakeMagazine cast an eye on 100cupscolombia.Going to get 100 cups of coffee-the fun way

[@dazbags252]

That headlight is fugly

[@o0Bananaphone0o]

Would love to do a test ride! But there is no way I would trade my 950 S for that ugly thing 😁

[@davidc1961utube]

Sounds like this is the class leader in the gigantic ADV tourer segment. The thing is, what percentage of prospective buyers want a 460 pound 100+hp bike for almost £13,000? I think that unless they completely strip the electronics or use shit suspension, the new 490/501 class bikes are going to sell much faster. I am almost 60, have done OK in life, and I could afford a liter bike. I would never buy one for anything but pavement.

[@MacawAviculture]

I completely agree, off-road they are all simply too heavy, even for experienced riders, but awesome for fire roads with gravel, mixed with some dirt, and even intermediate level riding can be done fairly easily with practice, but why not have 2 bikes, an adventure bike and a lightweight enduro like David Clark mentioned for the more technical and difficult trails where the adventure bike is too heavy. Then you have the best of everything.

[@anxiousappliance]

@@MacawAviculture A fully wet Dakar bike is about the same weight.

[@pierregiraud540]

Not a great review, does not emphasise the very significant up from the 790 R. I've ridden > 15000kms (mainly off-road ) on my 790 so I can compare. The 890 R is NEXT LEVEL. KTM have made a fantastic bike(the 790) totally awesome. The increase in power and particularly toque is significant, the improvement in the suspension is significant, the improvement in the handling(somehow) is significant, the improvement in the braking is significant. Amazing!

[@anxiousappliance]

This all sounds very significant.

[@Crust2013]

Wa power slide ,wheelie? Tea bag rider

[@BrakeMagazine]

Lemon tea only my man

[@CRONICASENMOTO]

Saludos !, Excelente Maquina KTM 890 ADV !! Esta es la mia: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZubYoF6qp1-fbM

[@michaelcaton9358]

Definitely not a bike for nervous millennials with inseams less than 34 inches….. I would say…..

[@BrakeMagazine]

😂 I really struggle with it due to my immense anxiety 😆