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2019 KTM 790 Adventure R

  • Prices for the KTM 790 Adventure and and KTM 790 Adventure were released by KTM Malaysia recently.

  • KTM intends to revolutionize the dual-sport market with the new bike.

  • The 790 Adventure is priced from RM 78,800 while the 790 Adventure R is priced from RM 84,800.

Prices for the KTM 790 Adventure and and KTM 790 Adventure R were released by KTM Malaysia recently

KTM had listened to the wishes of adventure and dual-sport riders around the world in creating the new bikes. Consequently, both variants are “different” when compared to dual-sport motorcycles in its middleweight and of capacities, as well.

But it wasn’t a case of just building an adventure bike with two variants. The Austrian manufacturer wanted to “revolutionize the dual-sport market.”

The engine is shared with the 790 Duke naked sportbike, but tuned for smoothness and tractability, especially in the rough. The new LC8c parallel-Twin allows KTM engineers to place it in the frame for optimal weight distribution, hence easier handling characteristics. Another benefit is the lower seat height.

Next, the fuel tank is moved downwards to the sides of crankcase. Doing so moved the bike’s centre of gravity downwards. There are two benefits to this: 1) It makes the bike more stable and not top-heavy; 2) It allows the rider to move around easier when standing up in the rough.

790 Adventure (left) and 790 Adventure R (right)

The 790 Adventure (without the “R”) is more road-biased and intended for riders who tour and include some light off-road in their itinerary. The 790 Adventure R, on the other hand, is more off-road biased.

As such, the 790 Adventure R includes a Rally mode where the rider could choose the level of traction control and throttle response on-the-fly.

You can read about our impressions in the link below:

KTM 790 Adventure and KTM 790 Adventure R Test & Review

The 2019 KTM 790 Adventure is priced from RM 78,800 while the 2019 KTM Adventure R is priced from RM 84,800. The prices are inclusive of SST but not on-the-road.

Please follow KTM Malaysia’s official Facebook page for more up-to-date information.

  • We will test and review the KTM 790 Adventure and KTM Adventure R in Morocco later this week.

  • Both bikes were introduced in EICMA 2018.

  • They expand the 790 range which also includes the 790 Duke.

The 2019 KTM 790 Adventure and KTM 790 Adventure R were unveiled at the 2018 EICMA show in November. Their introduction expands the 790 family, following the launch of the 790 Duke in Malaysia back in June 2018.

However, no one has ridden or reviewed the two new 790 Adventures as they are yet launched worldwide. But fear not, because BikesRepublic.com will be present to test ride both bikes during the International Media Launch in Morocco, courtesy of KTM Malaysia.

Till then, we can offer some introduction.

Engine

Both bikes use the same LC8c 799cc ultra-compact parallel-Twin as the 790 Duke. However, bearing the “Adventure” name means they are offroad capable, hence the different engine tune. Instead of the 103 bhp and 87 Nm in the Duke, the Adventure’s engine produces 94 bhp and 88 Nm.

LC8c engine

KTM 790 Adventure

The 790 Adventure is a more road-biased dual-sport model. As such, it boasts a shorter suspension travel than the 790 Adventure R (200 mm vs. 240 mm), although taller than the 790 Duke (200 mm vs. 140 mm front/150 mm rear). The changes in suspension also gives it an 850 mm high seat height.

The forks are non-adjustable while the rear shock is adjustable for preload only. 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels are fitted with Avon Trailrider tyres.

Besides the suspension, it has a 20-litre fuel capacity. Instead of enlarging the fuel tank, the extra fuel is carried low in front of the engine. This way, the bike keeps its low centre of gravity. The “low” fuel tank is impact resistant.

KTM 790 Adventure R

The 790 Adventure R is a more off-road biased dual-sport motorcycle. Because of that, KTM it features longer-travel suspension. Moreover, it’s the only KTM 790 model to have fully-adjustable suspension. The rear shock is adjustable for spring preload for low- and high-speed compression and rebound damping. The forks, on the other hand, are adjustable for compression and rebound damping.

The 790 Adventure R’s suspension has 240 mm of travel on both ends. Consequently, the seat height goes up to 880 mm.

This model also uses 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, but they are fitted with Metzeler Karoo 3 tyres.

Last but not least, the KTM 790 Adventure R also has a 20-litre fuel capacity and has the fuel tanks mounted like the Adventure.

Stay tuned for full report and videos!

  • The 2019 KTM 790 Adventure and 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R have finally been launched.

  • The base model is more road-centric while the R version is for off-roading.

  • They were unveiled at EICMA 2018.

The 2019 KTM 790 Adventure and 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R have been finally unveiled at the EICMA show.

The two models have spent much time in development, while KTM launched the 790 Duke first.

There are two versions with both sharing the same basic specs. However, the base 790 Adventure is biased more for road use, while the 790 Adventure R is for hardcore off-roading.

 

As with any KTM, there are a bucket load of features, but we’ll cut to the chase. The engine produces 94bhp and 88 Nm of torque. The engine power is down by 11bhp from the 790 Duke’s engine, as it tuned for a broad spread of torque rather than outright speed.

The base 790 Adventure uses the WP APEX 43mm forks and WP rear shock, providing 200mm of travel on both ends. On the other hand, the 790 Adventure R is equipped with WP XPLOR forks and WP rear shock, both with 240mm travel for more ground clearance. Both models use 21” front and 18” rear wheels.

Besides that, the base model’s seat is a flat 2-seater, while the R has a stepped dual-seat arrangement.

As for electronics, both bikes utilize an IMU (inertial measurement unit) for lean-sensitive Cornering ABS and traction control. The ABS can be turned entire off or just for the rear wheel.

There are three standard riding modes in addition to an extra “Rally” mode. Rally modes is optional for the base model and standard on the R.

The styling gives the bike the look of a Dakar Rally race bike and utilizes the split LED headlamp.

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