KTM 890 Adventure R Review Why I Sold it and How that might have been a Mistake

[@rfk76]

Hey there! 890AdvR owner here and 1. coming from many other adv bikes (like F850GS) I do not complain about the wind protection. I have tried many bikes, including sister-bike Norden 901 with higher windshield with window, and actually 890R was the least buffeting on my helmet among many. Yes, I do wear ear plugs, but my helmet is super stable on highways and honestly - I am not even considering changing this windshield. 2. reliability... yes, this is something I do have in mind, especially when travelling far away from home. Interestingly, here in Europe we have 2 years long warranty + option to extend it up to (I believe) 5 years for a reasonable amount of money. I also have '23 model and if only KTM survives current situation, extended warranty will still be offered, I will definitely get it. 3. I also own a dirt bike, I just bought it recently and it is my first dirt bike ever (after 20 years of riding and me getting closer and closer to be 50 years old...). I treat it as a capable dual sport and it gives me a lot of fun (and exercise!). I think I bought it because I enjoy riding offroad, but I also understood 890R is.. heavy. So I do absolutely feel you here. But I was not able to sell my 890 as I think it is a perfect adventure bike... Impressive tracks you took you 890 to... Cheers!

[@bikesbc]

@@rfk76 thank you! I might have been a bit spoiled in terms of wind protection coming from a tiger 900 😅. The 890 Adv R is an awesome bike!

[@andrewpocock1234]

nice one! recognize many of the tracks youre on. Want to start my own youtube locally here in BC this year! any tips or learnings you can share? hope to come across you this summer somewhere!

[@cliftonsr]

Just get the 890 base model (S) and you’ll be good to go on the highway and since you said you are not Chris Burch, and even Chris will tell you the base model (S) is just as capable off road unless you are going to start jumping it from 10 feet in the air, and also it’s more nimble and has even a lower center of gravity with still plenty of ground clearance, and if you wanted to do a suspension upgrade and keep the same awesome highway traveling capabilities of the base (S) model you can go with an aftermarket suspension company like TracTive and be right there with the R model for the off road capability and have the same great street handling abilities, cause that’s what I did along with Puig windshield. I like your videos!

[@glentaylor4867]

There is nothing you can do About sensor it's not ktm fault if sensor fail ktm do not make the sensor all bike load with tek have these problems

[@prezo1975]

Ive ran ear plugs for the last 30yrs road riding and can confirm the wind noise on the 890r is horrendous. Just installed the S model higher windshield on my 23 model 890R and l can honestly say the wind noise that was driving me CRAZY is now 40% less wich is enough to keep me happy considering the bike does everything else so well. And if l want almost complete silence on long trips l just sit way back on the Power Parts seat with my head 2inches down.. real quiet works great👌 With the short stock screen it was 6 inches hunched over to avoid the noise bloody back breaking, not worth a pinch of shit.

[@jimmyolsson85]

hello! I sold my KTM 890 for Triumph tiger rally pro 24 and i dont regret it. KTM is just a point up on the offroad or else the Triumph is better on evertyhing else, Love the bike!

[@bikesbc]

@@jimmyolsson85 the Tiger’s are awesome bikes probably my favourite all around bike I have ever owned. Great choice!

[@user-pp5or5og4k]

Get a Norden 901 Expedition, just like the 890R off road and way better than the 890 on the road. There is a mod to relocate the speed sensor. The speed sensor is shared between models. Many used sensors on ebay. Most dealers will throw in Rally mode with a purchase no charge.

[@leooneill1693]

Great video, honest and informative. All of the points you make are valid. KTM really need to do something about reliability, and the piss taking extra costs to unlock factory installed features. So what did you buy as your new bike? you don't mention your choice.

[@bikesbc]

@@leooneill1693 new video is up with the new bike 😁 thank you for watching

[@gxm164]

I have the exact same bike 2023 Adventure R and love it, best bike I ever owned. I was one of the lucky one, just had some minor issues that are now fixed. I don't take mine on single tracks and try to stay away from the gnarliest trails. That being said, even when I get on something a little out of my comfort zone, the bike delivers. The lower center of gravity and great suspension means that I'm not feeling intimidated to take it on off-road adventures. I do agree that the windshield is terrible. Just by standing up you can see how better the clean air is and how terrible the buffeting is from the windshield when you sit back down. No bike is perfect and I would love to add a smaller dirtbike, maybe a KTM 350 EXC-F, to my stabble. But for now, in my situation, I feel I made the best choice. Which is fortunate, because with all the discounts going on because of their massive stock surplus, I can,t imagine that this is a good time to sell a KTM...

[@bikesbc]

@@gxm164 I do still believe the 890 is an awesome bike. For me an aftermarket windshield probably would have fixed my biggest problem with it. If I still had it I would have kept it, only reasons I did not buy another one after selling it are KTMs current situation and reliability. Plus I took the opportunity to get something a bit better on the longer highway trips.

[@gxm164]

​@@bikesbc can't wait see your bike reveal video

[@ktm-Triumph]

In Europe KTM gives a extended warrenty up to 4 years on the 2024 890 adv models (if the maintenance is done by the KTM dealer conform schedule). Hope KTM survive the financial problems. I have mounted the taller windscreen of the S model on my R , this is a lot better, but not 100%. But i have ridden a BMW 1300GS and found out that inst the ideal world of highway noise eather for my length ( 1.82m). On my naked bike (Triumph) the noise is less , but the elements of wind and rain worse. So it is a comprimise.

[@hardyeleonore]

This is almost the same as my story with the 890r,but I didnt care that much about reliability or wind noise. However I did spend way to much time on offroad and singletrack for a bike this heavy. Totally absolutely loved this bike but sold it and bought a 2024 Husqvarna 501s because I am only 20 minutes away from trails here in south east Ontario.Best of luck on your new ride.

[@bikesbc]

@@hardyeleonore thank you! Surprisingly I might have gone in a very similar direction 🤫…

[@gxm164]

@@bikesbc 500 EXC-f for the win

[@cliftonsr]

I don’t understand waiting for parts when you can order online and get your parts within a day or so here in the US

[@bikesbc]

@@cliftonsr since it was warranty work the ordering of the parts was out of my hands unfortunately. The dealership was the one to order the part and submitted the warranty claim.

[@MLeitao]

Most of the buffeting came from the OEM mirors, if you put your hand near the mirrors you will feel how the air it's projected from the mirror. I understand your pov regarding the tech pack, it's allways been on the adventure models, and there are also on other bikes like BMW and off road Pro, the problem with ktm 23 and up, is that they let you try it for 1500 kms and then it's blocked by the software, so that cause a bigger buzz, it caused a reversed impact on the marketing. I also have bought the techpack but the you don't need it, the offroad mode it's also very good, i think slip it's about 5 but you wil miss the rally throtle, cruise control used it 3 or 4 times, and i think a couple was to try it, imo the thing that i will miss more it's the QShifter, the anti slip it's good for riding in rain, we don't need for offroad. In europe all the models have 3 years of warranty, dispite being a R or the regular model, so i'm not worried about the cams for now, even spare parts don't take that long, i dont understand how such a simple thing take 4 months, sometimes the problem it's in the dealers. The big problem to me now it's reselling value, with all this confusion on the internet... before the 890 i had a T7 for a year and half and almost didn't loose any money...

[@painsrides]

I don't believe in riding bikes with compromises. 90% of my riding is enduro and trail riding, which I have a KTM 300XCw for. The riding I do is touring, usually two up with my wife which I have a Honda Goldwing Tour for.... No compromises when I go out 😉

[@DAI-proofofuniqueness]

so what's the bike you bought after?

[@4tech69]

This is one of those post then should have stayed in drafts. There are no camshaft issues with the late module 890's. Those are specifically limited to units using the LC8c 799cc parallel twin engine with model years 2018 through mid-2020. This issues effects 0.5% of all of those models sold world wide. Your speedo sensor replacement back order, is an issue you should be frustrated about. And it's enough to make you want to sell the bike and move on is 100% valid. However, bundling up your frustration with a bunch of other things is not. You're upset about the Tech pack cost now? After you own the bike? That's a completely disingenuous. Also the Rack Pack is included in the Tech Pack on the 890 adv R. You bought the wrong bike. That's what this is all about.

[@bikesbc]

@@4tech69 I think all those points are completely valid! I still think the 890 is a great bike! And actually have tried to convince my husband to buy one so we can have one in the garage again 😅. I am simply sharing my experience and like I said on the video I fully believe selling it might have been a mistake.

[@user-pp5or5og4k]

cams updated in 2023 my 901 Expedition does not have these issues

[@PNWMOTOSCOUT]

Where did you get your graphics kit? If you don’t mind me asking.

[@bikesbc]

@@PNWMOTOSCOUT w-ink graphics (winners ink) costumer service was awesome as well. Would highly recommend