People who bash KTM on reliably are the ones buying a used pos adventure enduro bike that someone has already rode the crap out of and are mad they are poor and have bad credit and can’t afford a new KTM. I have 23 890 and love it great bike.
I have KTM 390 Adventure and I love this thing. I love frisky, temperamental motors. It is hard to beat KTM. Ducati and Aprilia are good as well. KTM will provoke you to do crazy things, brother.
i have had one fuse blow in 9 years of ktm ownership - i know about 15 guys with them, some are 890,890, 690 500 and 2smokers - everyone is happy on their bikes, they are not unreliable in my experience
I bought my 2022 890 Adventure S model at the end of Dec for a good deal. traded in the 2018, 1290 SA-R that I had for a short period of time. I had a Pan America for a year & a half before the 1290. The 890 is perfect for me. I'm 5'8", 30.5" inseam and having a properly sized bike is awesome after fighting the taller/bigger bikes. This really comes into play when fatigue sets in. The warranty is 2 years on the non-R version. My screen went completely black on an early long distance ride. Luckily it came back on after my fuel stop and it hasn't done it since with over 6K on the bike now. when I mentioned it to my dealer they were like "did you get the extended warranty?" My response was "You're not making me feel very confident with the bike that you sold me." They back peddled. I'd already known that KTM tries to wiggle out of any warranty issues. All in all, I love the bike. Rode it to the Giant Loop Rally in SE Oregon at the beginning of June and it was a total hoot. My suggestion on crash bars, Get BarkBusters or an equivalent, and lower crash bars. You'll think the tanks can handle an off, until you have one and have to drag the bike in order to pick it up. I was glad that I had recently installed some Touratech bars.
Thanks for the tip on the crash protection. I may look into they after all. The Pan America is a cool looking bike, and I like they they have the automatic lowering option, but definitely too big for me right now.
@@HighDesertHills You’re welcome. The Pan America was a hoot to ride, when it wasn’t leaving me stranded or acting up. To be fair, I had one of very first batch Pan America Specials, without the Adaptive Ride Height. Even without the ARH my Special would raise and lower sometimes, sometimes it would just stay in the low setting. It throws code faults constantly but the worst thing was that sometimes it just wouldn’t start. I could stop to fill it up and it wouldn’t start. Sometimes the bike wouldn’t start when I wanted to take off in the morning. It cost me several rides just because it wouldn’t go after a night in the garage. I’d pull the front cowling and the main fuse to try to reset it which would work sometimes. I have heard that they have made headway on these issues but I recently saw a video from a guy getting ready to do the Iron Butt Rally, the big National ride. This guys long term Pan Am went down and then his new Pan Am started acting up, so he had to pull out of the Rally. You’re much better off with the 890. If you want a large displacement tourer KTM has made the 1290 much better for shorter riders now. My 2018 was a tall beast!
Good to know about the Pan America. I’m sure they’ll get the bugs worked out, but either way I really think the 890 is going to be big enough for me long term. I did sit on a new 1290 at the dealer, and you’re right - I think the seat height is even a bit lower than the 890. It felt great.
Congratulations on the new bike!! And Happy Birthday! That gas tank design is so cool! I cant believe the Japanese manufactures havent done that low fuel tank design on the small dual sports. Especially on the Crf300 Rally. A sweet upgrade for the big bikes is a new set of wheels with narrower rims. A 1.6 inch wide rim in the front and a 2.5 inch wide rim in the back. Then you can run a Dunlop d606 front and a Dunlop 908rr rear. way better handling off road and more tire selection too
Having just returned from a NMBDR and UTBDR trip on my 300 Rally set up almost Identical to yours, I was overjoyed to see this new video. While the Rally performed very well, I was left wanting just a little bit more.The 890 was on my mind the whole ride home. Please keep us informed on your thoughts and feelings on these two bikes.
I also have been thinking about a middle weight bike. I struggle with the decision but the KTM 790/890 is one of the candidates on the short list. Out of curiosity, how did your insurance premium change with the addition of a larger displacement bike? The 300L/Rally is super cheap to insure.
How does it feel in terms on engine heat in slower traffic not wearing full moto gear? We have the exact same questions and I believe the same conclusions.
I’m very rarely not in full moto gear, but so far I haven’t had a problem with the engine heat. I mean, it’s there - but I just don’t really notice it much. I’ve considered doing a decat mainly because I don’t love the sound of the stock pipe, and that is supposed to help with heat a lot. If I ever do that, I’ll be sure to share my results.
What about maintenance intervals I had a Husqvarna an the book constantly called for some kind of dealer maintenance sold it got a Rally now I ride and don’t have to worry about the maintenance. KTM sure looks nice though
Thanks for doing this. I have a 2018 CRF250 Rally and a 2007 BMW F650GS. I know what you are talking about. I will never take my 250 on a interstate hwy.
Do you think you could have went straight to the KTM and skipped the Rally? I’m coming back to riding after 15 yrs and looking at the 890 base as well. Had a sport bike and a DR 350 dual sport back in the day, plus a few others, so not new, but not proficient either. Have my eye on the KTM 390 as a re-starter bike but concerned I’ll quickly wish I’d just went for the 890.
I’m sure you’d been fine on the 890. I had an XT250 for my first bike (before the CRF) and I think the KTM might have been a bit large to start on for me as a very first bike, but with some riding in your past, I think it would work out well. There’s a lot of power, but it’s easy to control. I’d just take it easy while you blow the dust off your skill set.
I've heard the 2023 models they also partnered with cfmoto and the engines are all built buy cfmoto and have a lot of issues with them.. glad you got a good deal on a 2022..as far as aprillia not what you mean by a dealership in Idaho? The nearest aprillia dealership I could find is Seattle and California
@@HighDesertHills I will have to check that out. I live in Idaho..also have a tenere and have always liked the aprillia just not sure of reliability on the aprillia yet
Oh, right - that heat 😂. It’s there, but not horrible for me. Similar to my CRF300L Rally (though that’s more focused on the right leg). I do wear MX boots, so that probably helps.
People who bash KTM on reliably are the ones buying a used pos adventure enduro bike that someone has already rode the crap out of and are mad they are poor and have bad credit and can’t afford a new KTM. I have 23 890 and love it great bike.
I have KTM 390 Adventure and I love this thing. I love frisky, temperamental motors. It is hard to beat KTM. Ducati and Aprilia are good as well. KTM will provoke you to do crazy things, brother.
I’m definitely seeing that 😂
i have had one fuse blow in 9 years of ktm ownership - i know about 15 guys with them, some are 890,890, 690 500 and 2smokers - everyone is happy on their bikes, they are not unreliable in my experience
I love to hear that. Only 2K miles on mine so far (from me), but it’s been perfect 👍
@@HighDesertHills enjoy :-) great bikes, different to japanese but that is a good thing - those 790 / 890 are amazing
I bought my 2022 890 Adventure S model at the end of Dec for a good deal. traded in the 2018, 1290 SA-R that I had for a short period of time. I had a Pan America for a year & a half before the 1290.
The 890 is perfect for me. I'm 5'8", 30.5" inseam and having a properly sized bike is awesome after fighting the taller/bigger bikes. This really comes into play when fatigue sets in.
The warranty is 2 years on the non-R version. My screen went completely black on an early long distance ride. Luckily it came back on after my fuel stop and it hasn't done it since with over 6K on the bike now. when I mentioned it to my dealer they were like "did you get the extended warranty?" My response was "You're not making me feel very confident with the bike that you sold me." They back peddled. I'd already known that KTM tries to wiggle out of any warranty issues.
All in all, I love the bike. Rode it to the Giant Loop Rally in SE Oregon at the beginning of June and it was a total hoot. My suggestion on crash bars, Get BarkBusters or an equivalent, and lower crash bars. You'll think the tanks can handle an off, until you have one and have to drag the bike in order to pick it up. I was glad that I had recently installed some Touratech bars.
Thanks for the tip on the crash protection. I may look into they after all. The Pan America is a cool looking bike, and I like they they have the automatic lowering option, but definitely too big for me right now.
@@HighDesertHills You’re welcome.
The Pan America was a hoot to ride, when it wasn’t leaving me stranded or acting up. To be fair, I had one of very first batch Pan America Specials, without the Adaptive Ride Height. Even without the ARH my Special would raise and lower sometimes, sometimes it would just stay in the low setting. It throws code faults constantly but the worst thing was that sometimes it just wouldn’t start. I could stop to fill it up and it wouldn’t start. Sometimes the bike wouldn’t start when I wanted to take off in the morning. It cost me several rides just because it wouldn’t go after a night in the garage. I’d pull the front cowling and the main fuse to try to reset it which would work sometimes.
I have heard that they have made headway on these issues but I recently saw a video from a guy getting ready to do the Iron Butt Rally, the big National ride. This guys long term Pan Am went down and then his new Pan Am started acting up, so he had to pull out of the Rally.
You’re much better off with the 890. If you want a large displacement tourer KTM has made the 1290 much better for shorter riders now. My 2018 was a tall beast!
Good to know about the Pan America. I’m sure they’ll get the bugs worked out, but either way I really think the 890 is going to be big enough for me long term. I did sit on a new 1290 at the dealer, and you’re right - I think the seat height is even a bit lower than the 890. It felt great.
Congratulations on the new bike!! And Happy Birthday!
That gas tank design is so cool! I cant believe the Japanese manufactures havent done that low fuel tank design on the small dual sports. Especially on the Crf300 Rally.
A sweet upgrade for the big bikes is a new set of wheels with narrower rims. A 1.6 inch wide rim in the front and a 2.5 inch wide rim in the back. Then you can run a Dunlop d606 front and a Dunlop 908rr rear. way better handling off road and more tire selection too
Thanks! I ordered some Battleax AX41’s for it. We’ll see how they do.
Having just returned from a NMBDR and UTBDR trip on my 300 Rally set up almost Identical to yours, I was overjoyed to see this new video. While the Rally performed very well, I was left wanting just a little bit more.The 890 was on my mind the whole ride home.
Please keep us informed on your thoughts and feelings on these two bikes.
I definitely will. I’ll probably have a few more videos mostly on the KTM and then I’ll do as thorough a comparison as I can.
Congrats on the new machine! I believe those are Metzler Tourance tires on it.
I think you’re right. I ordered some Bridgestone AX41’s. They seem like they’ll be a good fit for my type of riding.
Awesome looking bike👍
Thanks!
I also have been thinking about a middle weight bike. I struggle with the decision but the KTM 790/890 is one of the candidates on the short list. Out of curiosity, how did your insurance premium change with the addition of a larger displacement bike? The 300L/Rally is super cheap to insure.
I’ve heard horror stories about insuring this bike, but mine wasn’t bad. It’s about $22/mo. My Rally is $12.
How does it feel in terms on engine heat in slower traffic not wearing full moto gear? We have the exact same questions and I believe the same conclusions.
I’m very rarely not in full moto gear, but so far I haven’t had a problem with the engine heat. I mean, it’s there - but I just don’t really notice it much. I’ve considered doing a decat mainly because I don’t love the sound of the stock pipe, and that is supposed to help with heat a lot. If I ever do that, I’ll be sure to share my results.
Welp, you just turned me off of an Aprilia Tuareg. Awesome bike. You’re gonna love it, I know!
Well, now that I bought the KTM an Aprilia dealer will probably open nearby next week 😂
What about maintenance intervals I had a Husqvarna an the book constantly called for some kind of dealer maintenance sold it got a Rally now I ride and don’t have to worry about the maintenance. KTM sure looks nice though
That’s a good point. I’ll have to look into those. The guy I bought it from didn’t have the manual, so I need to hunt one down.
Thanks for doing this. I have a 2018 CRF250 Rally and a 2007 BMW F650GS. I know what you are talking about. I will never take my 250 on a interstate hwy.
How do you like the GS?
Do you think you could have went straight to the KTM and skipped the Rally? I’m coming back to riding after 15 yrs and looking at the 890 base as well. Had a sport bike and a DR 350 dual sport back in the day, plus a few others, so not new, but not proficient either. Have my eye on the KTM 390 as a re-starter bike but concerned I’ll quickly wish I’d just went for the 890.
I’m sure you’d been fine on the 890. I had an XT250 for my first bike (before the CRF) and I think the KTM might have been a bit large to start on for me as a very first bike, but with some riding in your past, I think it would work out well. There’s a lot of power, but it’s easy to control. I’d just take it easy while you blow the dust off your skill set.
@@HighDesertHills thanks for the helpful feedback.
the 390 has angled foot pegs. a very sport touring stance. "adventure" on the 390 is just marketing
What city do you live in? Looks sort of like california.
I’m in Eagle Mountain, UT
I've heard the 2023 models they also partnered with cfmoto and the engines are all built buy cfmoto and have a lot of issues with them.. glad you got a good deal on a 2022..as far as aprillia not what you mean by a dealership in Idaho? The nearest aprillia dealership I could find is Seattle and California
I was going off of Aprilia’s dealer locator: www.aprilia.com/us_EN/dealer-locator/idaho-falls/idaho-motorcycle-company-llc/
@@HighDesertHills I will have to check that out. I live in Idaho..also have a tenere and have always liked the aprillia just not sure of reliability on the aprillia yet
CFMOTO builds the 790, 890 is all KTM.
How do you find the heat?
Sorry, not following you. The heat for what?
@@HighDesertHills from the engine on your legs.
Oh, right - that heat 😂. It’s there, but not horrible for me. Similar to my CRF300L Rally (though that’s more focused on the right leg). I do wear MX boots, so that probably helps.
Karl Malone ,the mailman! My favorite NBA player of all time.
Yeah, he has dealerships all over the place around here 🙂
What are you going to do with the 300 Rally, keep?
That’s the plan. I really love the Rally for my solo desert exploration. Way easier to pick up if I get myself into a pickle.