A whole year has passed since KTM showed us the 790 Adventure prototype along with the then new 790 Duke. The orange brand took the time to develop this new model, and the end result was shown at EICMA Milan motorcycle show this week.
The new 790 Adventure and R variant, blends the same enduro style that we’ve learned to love on the bigger maxitrails from KTM, with a powerful twin-cylinder engine but on a more compact bike, perfect for those off-road moments.
The production version maintains some of the characteristics we’ve already seen on the prototype, with both the Adventure and 790 Adventure R getting the same LC8c (“c” for a compact) engine producing a little under 100 hp. 95 hp to be precise. According to KTM, the Adventure and 790 Adventure R reach the power figures of the original Adventure, and given that the bike is much more light and compact, it probably means that KTM could’ve created a perfectly balanced machine for enduro.
With a low centre of gravity, since the 20-litre fuel tank extends himself to the lower parts of the chassis, the 790 Adventure promises the rider will be able to cover more than 450 km before stopping for refuel.
We should also mention that KTM installs as standard, three riding modes (Street, Off-Road and Rain), which in turn will affect electronic riding aids like Bosch ABS with cornering function, how soon the traction control steps into action, and how sensitive the throttle is to our inputs. But for the riders that demand the best, the 790 Adventure R gets an extra riding mode called Rally.
Suspensions have WP signature on both models, but the standard 790 Adventure gets an APEX front fork and a 200mm of wheel travel, while the Adventure R gets the XPLOR fork, with bigger fork legs (48 mm) fully adjustable and with 240mm of wheel travel, the biggest in its class according to KTM in this particular.
Chassis geometry also changes a bit between the 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R, with the latest being a bit bigger than it’s a sister, mainly with the taller seat (880mm) and 263 mm ground clearance compared to 233 mm on the 70 Adventure.
The weight, as we mentioned before, maximizes the chassis capabilities while on or off the road, and the ready to ride weight of just 189 kg should become the benchmark of the mid-sized adventure segment.
As if this and the full-colour 5-inch TFT dashboard wasn’t enough, KTM also thought to give the owner of the new 2019 790 Adventure a large choice of factory accessories to enhance each version capabilities, for example, to cover the distance in greater comfort with a more comfortable and ergonomic seat.
We still need to ride the 790 Adventure to give you our opinion, but on paper, and judging by the reaction of riders that want to go out for an adventure without the hassle of the bigger maxitrails, KTM has hit the jackpot.
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