KTM 890 Adventure Review - Why it's a perfect middle weight adventure bike
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- Опубліковано 9 лип 2024
- The 2021 KTM 890 Adventure may look almost identical to the outgoing 790 Adventure, but there have been some significant changes under the skin. To meet Euro 5 requirements KTM chose to up the capacity, bring more power and more torque, BUT it also brings more weight.
So as a KTM 790 Adventure owner, what do these changes mean for the riding experience? In this video I take a look at what's changed and how the KTM 890 Adventure compares to the 790, both on and off-road.
The off-bike footage was filmed with an Insta360 One X2 - tiny.one/OneX2deal
A trusty GoPro Hero 9 provides the on-bike footage - tiny.one/HERO9deal
I'm wearing the excellent Wolf Latitude Laminate suit - tiny.one/Fortitude
If you like my content and would like to support he growth of my channel, please visit / mancavemoto
Intro - 00:00
Whats Changed? - 00:36
On the Road - 02:20
Increased Weight - 03:54
Any negatives? - 04:57
Optional Extras - 05:46
Tyres - 06:53
On & off Road riding - 08:14
Should a 790 owner switch? - 09:10
Fuel capacity, range and MPG - 09:54
TFT display - 11:25
Upgraded brakes - 12:25
Conclusions - 12:42 - Авто та транспорт
![ОРБАН приехал к ПУТИНУ и "отчитался" о поездке в Киев 😁 [Пародия]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_0ukDovOWq8/mqdefault.jpg)
Excellent review. Showing the display graphics was very helpful. Trying to decide between the base & R models. Thank you.
A nice, honest and comprehensive review. Just what I like. Thank you. 👍😎🇦🇺
Thanks 👍
Great review as always, I'm a year into my 790 and love it mainly for the lack of weight and great low speed balance etc. Good to see the 890 is an evolution rather than a new model. Definitely top of the list when it's time to change
Same here, love my 790, and good to know KTM keeps improving this incredible bike for future trade-in.
I've had the 2022 890 S for 3 months and about 4000 miles. I love the bike. It's the most fun that I've had on a bike since I was a kid in the 70's & early 80's.
Had a Pan America Special for a year and a half and then a 2018 KTM 1290 SA-R for a matter of weeks. The 1290 was great just too big for my 5'8" 30.5 inseam body. I hear that they've remedied that on the newer 1290's. The 890 does everything on the road that I need it to. I run a 1000 mile look several times a month along the California coast and the 890 haas plenty of juice to handle the SF Bay Area traffic along with the twisty 101 in Mendocino and Humboldt counties.
I'm modifying it with crash bars to take it off road when I use up the Avon tires and fit some MotoZ rubber to the bike.
The 2023 KTM 890 is improved in the display and front forks but the 2021/22 890's are brilliant and can be had at a discount , well worth the price of admission.
Nice thanks for the feedback. California Coast 👌
Great review, nice to see you're still dressed in the Wolf Latitude suit.👍
Thanks, yes is been really good I’ve worn it non stop over the winter
Great video, I was looking at the new 1290 Superadventure S , and this video certainly made me think twice. I think I will have to do a test ride. Thank you
Depends on what you intend to do with the bike. If oyu can only afford one bike for everything (city riding, daily commuting to work, touring, adventure and off road) go with the 890. If you want the bike primarily for long distance travel perhaps with some company, get the 1290. 790/890 aerodynamics suck for highway riding and long distance riding
Felsted! Was out that way myself today (I'm a Sarfend boy innit) - cracking roads around the Bardfields, Finchingfield etc
Good review of the Katoom too.
Yep, its all on my doorstep, I'm lucky to have such good roads to ride nearby and i'm still finding new ones!
Got one for 1,5 year, 8000 km, and I love it! Absolute great bike on road, and so easy to bring on the very few “gentle” type of dirt tracks you’re still allowed to go on my part of world. I totally recommend, and I wouldn’t go back to my 1200 GS’s I owned before 😀
Yep, its probably still my favourite adventure bike, although when I eventually change my 790 adventure I might go for a Norden 901, that extra bodywork will come in handy for touring and longer rides.
Good explanations of all the changes, features and the differences they make. Terrific that you take all extra gear off a 790 and put on an 890 - very clever loyalty design. The 'saddle bag' fuel tank set-up is a winner.
Thanks Andrew
@@mancavemoto is the rally mode good for only off road use or it makes a better experience for high way speeds riding ?
I have had a 790 for 16 months and done 8k mainly on uk roads but some snotty green lanes too on Mitas E07 Dakars and it handled it all with ease. I test rode the 890 and like you didn't think it was worth taking a hit on given how good the 790 is. But my 790 has just been totalled following a muppet pulling across the road in front of me (I wasn't badly injured but the bikes 5 inches shorter) so I'm having to replace long before I was intending to. Really good honest real world review that and its helped me make the decision to go for the 890 rather than another second hand 790 so cheers.👍
Thanks and i'm glad you're OK after your crash! Enjoy the new bike
Quality review. A quality bike Tony. . Maybe I’d buy an adventure motorcycle one day. I don’t know much about KTM but good to learn. Thank you.
Thanks Jamie
Thanks for posting. I'm looking at one of these as a "Grown up" adv bike having come from a 500cc.
No problem 👍
A great review, thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the video enjoyed it. I have a Honda Africa twin adventure sport ES it’s just so top heavy and I mostly do city driving and 1 or 2 weekend trips a month. Thinking of switching over to this or the Versys 650 , Tiger 660, or NC750X
No problem, thanks for watching.
Great review on a bike I plan to buy soon.
cheers, Hope you enjoy it!
Good video, regarding the ABS, can it be disconnected in both wheels ? , cheers from Mexico
Not on the 890 no. Off road mode switches the rear off and heavily reduces the use on the front, Rally mode allows you to choose your throttle response and amount of rear wheel slip.
Looking fwd to your review of the new gen3 1290 super adv s
Thanks Jon, I have to wait until June to get my hands on one
Brilliant video, just wondering what it's like with a pillion?
Have you ever tried?
Thank you and I have to say, no I haven’t sorry!
Tony ... what about leg burning engine heat? I've had a 1050 ADV and a 1290 SD GT and both are too hot to be comfortable if the weather is above 18-20 degrees C. Does the fact that it (like the 790) is a parallel twin rather than V-twin solve that problem? Cheers. EG
It does indeed! I too owned a 1050 and couldnt stand the heat in the summer. No issues with the 790/890 adventure
How’s the gear box on the 890? Do you feel the quickshifter is worth the extra $$$? Great video!
Nice & slick, and definitely worth the money. I have it on my 790 Adventure and couldnt be without it now
Had a test ride yesterday and concur with everything you say. So much so I’m buying one. It will replace my ATAS DCT ES which is a fantastic bike but much more than I need. I’m 5’8” and the seat height is spot on. The riding position is more GS and the engine has a wide spread of grunt. I like the Tiger but it carries it’s weight high plus the vibrations for me are obtrusive. My mix of town, A and B roads plus M23 got me a staggering 73mpg. My aim was to see what it would do vs the Honda and GSA and it’s very good. At 70 mph it was holding 73/74 mpg. Amazing. A little buzz of vibration though the contact points but nowhere near the Tiger 900 or the Honda. Looking forward to it!
Cheers, funnily enough I'm thinking of going the opposite way to you and swapping my 790 Adv to an AT! But i know that if i go for an 890 all my accessories will swap straight over. On a recent tri through europe I returned 68mpg and that was fully loaded with panniers, Its a fantastic engine. I had a tiger 800 before I switched to the KTM and i agree with your comments about it being top heavy
@@mancavemoto Always the way. I could do you a deal on my ATAS?!
Cheers for the video.
Im considering this bike to replace a 690 duke r to open up more places to explore.
After trying a few adventure bikes I thought perhaps their handling was too much of a step down on the road for my day to day riding. Not bad, just a bit floaty and remote.This made me think I'd be better sticking with a street bike or the bike I have. However having ridden one of these today I was pleasantly surprised.
I, like you found the screen just directed wind at my head. If I stood up a few cms then my head was in clean air. This makes me think a lower screen would solve that problem. How did you find the screen you put on your 790? Is it higher or lower than the stock?
Cheers
Paul
Thanks, I put a slightly lower, but wider screen on from MRA (theres a video on my channel) it improved things a lot. I've since added an MRA spoiler to the screen and its even better!
@@mancavemoto Cheers. I found that video. Good information. Safe riding mate👍.
Good stuff👍
Thanks 👍
How is the seat? would you feel comfortable on a multiweek tour? Day in day out in the saddle?
I thought it was OK, but I find harder seats more comfortable for distance. I’ve put and ergo seat on my 790 adventure and that’s really good
Having the weight low down makes such a difference. I have owned three adventure bikes with low c of g: R1100GS, 950 Adv and XB12X. Anyone who thinks a KTM feels a bit crude should try a Buell.
I thought you might prefer the 890.
Excellent review, Tony.
Thanks
Just bought one, pre-registered with 10miles on the clock, under £9.8k with the tech pack & hot grips included.
Thanks for this review Tony. Will be watching your MRA screen review and the crash bar stuff as well now.
Nice! I'm just trying the MRA touring screen out at the moment too. Its a bit tall, but works really well.
Do you have any views on the reintroduction of the 790 adventure?
Hi Tony, I was surprised when I heard it was making a comeback, but now I realise it’s part of the tie in with CFMoto. I know some people prefer the 790 motor characteristics to the 890, but it’ll be interesting to see how they market it
I just wish ktm would throw in a few extras as standard, heated grips centre stand maybe luggage.
do the switches light up at night? they make no mention of backlit switches on the website..
They do yes
How is the seat comfort specifically compared to the Tiger 800 which I currently own?
Not the best, the stick KTM seat is pretty hard, but I don’t mind that so much. Definitely a very personal thing as I owned a 2018 Tiger 800 XCA and didn’t find the seat comfortable for more than an hour
I need to see if any of these are holding up @50,000 mile mark...Im looking for a long distance tourer...
I’ve seen 1190 doing 200,000 km and apparently with no breakdowns or problems
@@mabsbry1318 790-890 are 2 cylinder engines....no miles data on these yet...
I ended up buying a 2022 BMW 1250 R/T been riding it since December...
Interesting review! They have also 390'th Adventure. Have you tried it?
Thanks and I have yes - ua-cam.com/video/yz0FKA1Vlls/v-deo.html
@@mancavemoto
I have found it 10 minutes ago: GR-R-R-REAT review! Thank you very much!
I had been half afraid to test ride the 890 Adventure in fear it would tempt me to take the hit and trade in my 790 😳, so glad to hear that’s not the case 😃👍. Now I can spend that money I saved on other motorcycles 🤪🏍.
It’s really good, but personally I wouldn’t take the hit of a trade in either.
Even though you were on the standard 890 adventure, which would you prefer the standard or the adventure R? I know you said based on your riding, the standard was more your fit but do you think the adjustability and better suspension would be worth it on the R? Debating on the standard vs the R. Leaning toward the R but not a fan of the height compared to the standard. The standard I can jump on and flat foot, the R not so much. I ride about 80/20 but I still think it would be better to have the better suspension and make the R fit me verses deal with the standard suspension. What do you think?
I’ve ridden the 790 adv R and the suspension is better, as is obviously the ground clearance. Given the difference in the price, the R would seem to be better value for the suspension alone. However I found the standard suspension to be good for me, and if having a slightly lower bike gives you more confidence on the dirt, then you are likely to ride it further on rougher ground? There are also aftermarket cartridges that can be switched in the forks to bring adjustability. Another option could be to fit the lower two piece seat onto the R model? I’d also switch the high fender for the low version as its much better on longer stints on the motorway
@@mancavemoto I decided to get an 890 R. I'll get the lower seat and adjust the suspension to make it more workable. And swap the tires out to be more street for when I'm mosting riding around town and when I go on trips I'll put on the knobbies. Thanks for the reply and thought! It made the difference in my decision.
@@alanpinnt How are you liking your bike? Any regrets with getting the R?
what type of shoei helmet are you wearing on this video please?
Its a Shoei RYD, I think called the RF-SR in the USA, but its now discontinued in the UK ☹
Just watching this again. I think I'd be just as happy with the 790R.
Yes, this has a more flexible motor, but in the real world there’s not a lot in it once you’re used to the 790
I never take mine out of Rally mode. I leave the throttle setting on "Street". The "Rally" throttle setting is too abrupt for me. But with the bike in Rally mode, you can change the slip from 9 which is pretty much like rain mode, all the way down to 1 which is virtually no traction control. You can change it on the fly with just a touch of a button. I usually ride with the slip set at 5 or 6.
One more thing, if you are considering this bike, go ahead and factor in the cost of the Rally pack and the quick shifter. They add so much to the riding experience. Not the same bike without them. I enjoyed this review!
I've only just had the Rally mode switched on on my 790, so havent had much chance to play around with it yet. Thanks for the tips
Interesting report so do I spend £11,000 on a new 890 or £7,500 on low mileage 18 month old .......and save £3,500......is it worth the extras cash?
Well, I guess thats a question only you can answer? As much as I like the changes on the 890, personally i'd buy the 790 and pocket £3500. Thats a good wad of cash to start adding a few extra bits. I recently fitted the Ergo single seat, which is excellent and has really transformed the comfort on long rides.
praying they make a change for the 890 to look like the 1290 with front fairing and higher windscreen for 2022....than I will buy one 100%
There is a company making an aftermarket fairing for the 790/890 that looks like the new 1290 Super Adventure
How would qualify this bike for the comfort of the ride 2 up ?
I own a 790 Adventure R, im 190cm tall. If your are 180cm o lower, you should fit very nice with your companion, otherwise it might get a little uncomfortable. Also seats need and upgrade either the standard version or the R. I added gel to mine and is night and day difference. Stock KTM seats are not even decent
Agree, I fitted an ergo seat to mine and it’s much improved. Decent size pillion sear
Are the tyres tubeless ?? Thxs for the feedback
Yes they are tubeless
Do you still have it?
I never owned it, this was a press bike for review
890 Adventure - it's a perfect best alternative for BMW f800gs
for the asphalt tour
It’s such a great bike to ride, and it’ll do more in the dirt that you’d expect
It's not middleweight, it's as heavy as my big 950. 20 years later I'd have expected a lighter bike.
It sits in the 'so called' middleweight category. Theres not much difference between the two all round. similar weight, similar power, similar fuel capacity and only 53cc of engine capcity as well.
Hopefully the fixed the seat from Hell. If not it’s not a touring machine. Did 6200 miles on a 790 adventure and the seat was absolute torture.
I don’t find it too bad, the ergo seat is an improvement
Sadly, it's not available in my country 😭
:(
Id be tense riding on left side of road. Very ballsy.
I woud recommend trying it in your home country
KTM 890 or Tiger 900? and why?
KTM 890, more compact, lower centre of gravity, more nimble feel.
@@mancavemoto Tiger 900 for me has better engine sound and the quick-shifter might be the best in the industry. Not that the KTM is bad. I felt the Tiger was easier to ride at low city speeds at higher gears.
The Perfect Middle Weight Choice IMO is still the KTM 790 Adventure. Yes I own a 2020 KTM 790 Adventure S. Sorry, but the minor changes in the 890 are not worth the 10 pounds extra weight IMO. The 790 has awesome balance, great handling, more than ample power, is very comfortable to ride and is still a light bike all things considered. Yep, the 790 is truly an Adventure/Sport Touring Motocyle. I paid a total net price of $9,999.00 USD (included tax and tags) the bike had less then 10 miles on its odometer. My favorite motorcycle so far (I also own a 2016 Motto Guzzi V7 Stone and a 2015 Harley Super Low 1200I). just saying
I also own a 790 adventure so I know where you’re coming from. Just out of interest did you watch the video or just comment based on the video title? Not getting shirty, just wondering?
@@mancavemoto "Shirty" ? Is that a British term ? hahahahaha ... Yes, I watched your video.
Yes, it means to get annoyed or as you might say ‘pissy’ 😁 to be honest you’d be hard pressed to notice the difference in the weight, but I did notice the increase in crank mass. I wouldn’t trade a 790 for an 890, but if I was coming in fresh I’d opt for the latter. Thanks for watching and commenting, it’s much appreciated.
@@mancavemoto The problem or W/E I have with the 890 is the added 10 pounds or so extra weight. If and/or when the bike finds itself on its side (for w/e reason) it just makes it that more difficult or depending on the riders strength possibly impossible to pick up and right the bike by ones self. Not to mention the additional cost of an 890 over a 790 in purchasing price. But sadly that is the way things seem to go with most cars/motorcycles. Always getting larger as time goes on. Not knowing when to leave a near perfect product as it is (with maybe just tweaking it instead of trying to reinvent it). just saying
@@whiterabbitt2002 I really wonder if the extra 10 pounds of weight would make much difference in picking it up because the weight is from the crank, which is down low of course. No?
What ? I thought the 790 was the best ADV bike ? Extra power means nothing . Extra weight is what you don"t want over the last model. KTM just made a heavier bike , its no better
Jumping from one to the other you wouldnt notice its any heavier. Its not about the extra power, but how its delivered and how the extra mass in the engine changes the ride characteristics. RIde one and then see if your last statement is still valid.
no it's not perfect, far from it. Never seen so many serious issues on new released bike.
Serious issues? What issues have you had with yours?