KTM’s 890 Adv R proves a little change can have a big impact
The new KTM 890 Adventure R ups its capacity and tech for a hardcore middleweight adventurer
When KTM paint an adventure bike’s frame orange and label it an R model you know it is ready to take on the really rough stuff. Which is exactly what the new 890 Adventure R is destined to do.
Billed by KTM as ‘the machine to take you to the toughest places to reach’ the hardcore version of their middleweight adventure bike costs £1000 more than the more roadtargeted 890 Adventure but comes with serious off-road focused tech and chassis components. Now in its second generation, the 2021 Adventure R boasts a host of updates and refinements to help it achieve its extreme globebusting goals.
Bigger bang
The parallel twin has grown by 90cc to 889cc and with it not only become Euro5-compliant but also gained 20% more rotating mass, a boost of 9.8bhp and 8.8lb.ft peak performance, a reworked gearbox and a reinforced clutch. While the power and torque gains seem marginal on paper, out on the road the 890 motor is far more refined than the 790 engine and as well as having less mechanical noise, it is smoother and more enjoyable to use with far fewer intrusive vibrations thanks to new balancer shafts. It still has the quick-revving nature that made the 790 so engaging, but now it’s had the rough edges knocked off. Overall it feels more developed and although there is still a slight tendency to stall at lower revs, it’s a noticeable step up in terms of manners and performance. The tweaked gearbox is beautifully slick and with the optional quickshifter (which has been updated) snicks though the ’box with ease.
Revised suspension
Although the front and rear WP XPLOR suspension uses the same units as fitted to the 790 Adventure R, KTM have revised their settings for the 890 R and taken a bit of the offroad focus out of the road equation. While KTM still give suggested on and off-road suspension settings in a chart under the seat, which are quick and easy to input through the onboard tool kit, the road settings are now firmer than before and make the R more settled when you up the pace. It’s only a click here and there but it makes all the difference, although the tyres remain something of a limiting factor.
Better brakes
It’s a small change but as well as the latest ABS software, the brake master cylinder features a stronger piston spring to deliver better feel and the rear caliper has also been tweaked. There is little noticeable difference in feel but as the twin-radial caliper setup can deliver a far stronger bite than the front tyre can deal with you will be happy the ABS is there. A dedicated off-road ABS setting deactivates the angle sensitivity as well as the ABS function to the rear but retains some ABS at the front. Or you can turn it off completely if you wish to take all the control into your own hands.
Updated tech
The 890 R features KTM’s latest version of their traction control system (MTC), which now independently monitors wheel slip and pitch angle and is also faster in its reaction time. On the road it often proves its worth as the Metzeler Karoo 3 tyres are very chunky in their tread and that means when you are powering out of a low speed corner the rear often lets go, especially in the wet or on polished tarmac. When this happens the MTC system is smooth to intervene and only really abrupt when the bike is upright and it is preventing a wheelie. Should you engage ‘Rally’ mode (an optional extra) you have the option of nine different levels of slip control.
Skimping on the extras...
Considering the R costs a penny shy of £12,000 it is a shame that KTM have pared back on its standard equipment. If you want cruise control that will be an extra £225.61, the up/down quickshifter is a further £361.51, MSR (engine braking control) £135.01 and adding ‘Rally’ mode will be £180.34. Or you can buy the ‘Tech Pack’ for £769.30 which has them all for a discounted price. Heated grips are £225.66 extra and while the dash has connectivity you need to pay £7.99 for the KTM MyRide Navigation app to add a basic ‘turn-by-turn’ navigation system. If you want all these, and you probably do, it ups the price by a further £1002.95. Ouch.
‘It’s smoother and more enjoyable with far fewer intrusive vibes’