KTM 890 Adventure R, 890 Adventure R Rally unveiled

After the 890 Duke R, it was only a matter of time before an 890 Adventure R followed and KTM has just revealed that bike, as well as the even more capable 890 Adventure R Rally

• Get bigger engine derived from the KTM 890 Duke R

• More powerful engine and with chassis improvements

• Unlikely to come to India any time soon

As with the 890 Duke R, KTM has revealed the higher-spec 890 Adventure R, but there is no mention of a base model 890 Adventure. It would appear that KTM is taking the same path where the bigger engine is used for the higher-spec model while the 790 carries out the duties of the base model.

What’s new in the KTM 890 Adventure R?

The biggest change is in the engine. It displaces the same 889cc as the 890 Duke, but produces 105hp at 8,000rpm and 100Nm of torque at 6,500rpm – this is up from 95hp and 88Nm in the 790 Adventure, but 16hp down on the 890 Duke R, which produces a peak torque of 99Nm. The 890 Adventure’s engine also gets a 20 percent heavier crankshaft than the 790, which KTM says helps increase the sense of stability at low RPM. 

The chassis now gets an aluminium steering head while the new subframe is a little lighter. KTM mentions that the brakes have been reworked and that there are new suspension settings as well. However, the key figures of 240mm of suspension travel at both ends as well as the 880mm seat height remain unchanged. 

The new KTM 890 Adventure R also gets a reinforced clutch and KTM says they have further refined the traction control and ABS systems, as well as the up/down quickshifter. Unfortunately, the quickshifter, as well as the Rally mode with its 9 levels of traction control adjustability, are now optional extras, while they used to be standard on the 790 Adventure R.

KTM 890 Adventure R Rally specification details

The 890 Adventure R Rally will be limited to 700 units worldwide, with 200 of those units going to the USA. In addition to what’s on the R, the Rally uses higher-spec WP Xplor Pro suspension which increases the travel to 270mm. It gets a flat rally-style seat that takes the seat height up to 910mm, while the anodised wheel rims run tubed tyres (the R gets tubeless tyres). The Rally comes with an Akrapovic exhaust, which is 35 percent lighter than stock, and it also has wider rally foot pegs and carbon-fibre protection for the unique underslung fuel tank. The bike gets a different set of graphics and there’s clear plastic used for the windscreen and small aero deflectors positioned under the headlamp. 

Will the KTM 890 Adventure R launch in India?

KTM hasn’t revealed prices yet, but bookings have opened in Europe. It’s unlikely that this bike will launch here any time soon, and for now, the KTM 390 Adventure, and the KTM 250 Adventure, which will be launched soon, remain the only option for Indian enthusiasts. However, a KTM 790 Adventure launch in India is under evaluation as well.