Meet the all-new KTM 890 Adventure

KUALA LUMPUR: After unveiling the KTM 890 Adventure R earlier this month, the Australian bike manufacturer now pulled the wraps off the new 890 Adventure. Positioned as the base variant in the lineup, this sedate and serious model is described as ‘a supremely capable adventure tourer’, with enough off-road credentials.

The entry-level 890 Adventure shares a lot of components with the higher R trim, while some have been tweaked to make it more touring-friendly. It gets a longer windscreen, a little wider steering head angle, an enduro-inspired front fender, sharp tank extensions, and rally-style side-slung fuel tanks. According to KTM, the motorcycle has Dakar Rally-inspired ergonomics.

Other key highlights include full-LED lighting, a 5-inch TFT digital screen, smartphone connectivity, height-adjustable seat, anodised wheel hubs, 21-inch front, and 18-inch rear wheels, and adventure-spec tyres with TPMS.

At its heart, the KTM 890 Adventure gets the power from the same 889-cc parallel-twin engine as the elder brother. It generates 105 horsepower and 100 Nm of peak torque and mated to a six-speed transmission. The engine received upgrades to meet Euro 5 norms and is likely to take the charge of the brand’s middleweight segment. 

So, what exactly sets it apart from the 890 Adventure R? It is the equipment on offer. The R model features higher-spec WP Xplor adjustable suspension while the base ADV gets WP Apex units. The monoshock comes with the only preload and rebound adjustability, and the USD fork is non-adjustable, but these units still have a lot of suspension travel, which is 200 mm at both ends (40 mm less than the R). With these changes, the bike became more accessible without compromising much on ground clearance, which is 233 mm as compared to 263 mm in higher trim.

The braking setup incorporates a dual 320 mm rotor with four-piston radial callipers at the front and a 260 mm disc with a twin-piston calliper at the back. Other safety and riding aids comprise cornering ABS, Motorcycle Traction Control, Motor Slip Regulation, off-road driving mode, and the optional rally mode.

Joachim Sauer, KTM Product Manager Travel: “With the development of the new KTM 890 ADVENTURE we hit all our marks by offering an upgraded machine for both road and gravel riding. With the new engine we worked a lot on optimizing the overall performance and feeling while out riding. The result is a big improvement in the bike’s rideability, better stability, less gear shifting, and added comfort for the long days on the saddle.”

While the price of the 890 ADV lineup has not yet been announced, it is expected to go on sale in global markets from December 2020.

Also read: First rendered image of KTM’s upcoming electric scooter is out