It's one of the most hotly-anticipated KTM's in years, and the wraps have finally come off the production KTM 790 Adventure and the top-spec 790 Adventure R. So when will they arrive in New Zealand?
Here's what KTM had to say about the release of the new bikes:
"Leading its 2019 line-up is the eagerly anticipated KTM 790 ADVENTURE and KTM 790 ADVENTURE R. “You spoke, we listened.” KTM is a riders’ company and these all-new models are a direct result of customer feedback mixed with the brand’s experience and expertise. Punching way above their cubic capacities, with these two machines KTM sets a new performance and off-road ability benchmark in the mid-capacity travel enduro market.
The KTM 790 ADVENTURE is for travel enduro fans of every ambition and ability, ready to discover new roads whichever way it’s pointed at – no matter surface. The KTM 790 ADVENTURE R is a lightweight, agile and technically advanced machine for adventurers that endeavor to challenge themselves while challenging tricky terrain. Both powered by the 799cc LC8c parallel twin – first seen in the KTM 790 DUKE – the engine has been tuned to deliver its torque lower down the rev range to fit the specific requirements of adventure riding. The result is smooth acceleration, plentiful performance and a 450 km range from a 20-liter tank.
Each of these rugged bikes have been developed by some of the best adventure riders in the world and in conjunction with the Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Racing Team to provide a confidence-inspiring chassis with a low center of gravity and riding ergonomics to suit riders of all sizes and spirit. A full suite of rider assistance systems, easily navigated and activated with a bar-mounted menu switch, aligned to a full color, TFT display, allow the adventurous to get the most from these machines in all situations. "
KTM Australia and New Zealand has released full specs of the new bike (see below) but here are the highlights.
The engine - as is almost always the case with shared engines - has been re-tuned from the spec we've seen in the 790 Duke, with a focus on producing more low down grunt for the 790 Adventures as opposed to the top end charge of the Duke. KTM Australia and New Zealand has confirmed that the 790 version of the LC8c will produce 70.8kW (95hp) and 88 Nm, the engine delivers power and torque figures comparable to much larger displacement motorcycles according to KTM.
Interestingly the KTM comes out of the box with a 20-litre fuel tank - that's an extra 4-litres over the competing Yamaha Tenere 700 - which gives the 790 Adventure a range of 450km. That mean's that the KTM is getting some great fuel economy figures which as we know is massively important in the adventure scene.
The WP APEX suspension fitted to the 790 Adventure offers 200 mm of travel at each end and provides damping qualities perfectly suited for adventure riding; two-up touring, dirt trails and bad roads, all while balancing unwavering stability, all day riding comfort but with typical KTM dynamic performance. Suspended by the suspension are spoked wheels in true offroad sizes; 21-inch front wheel with an 18-incher out back. These lightweight yet heavy duty items come fitted with Avon Trailrider tyres.
The R model adds more ability, since Adventure R KTM's are all about going out and tackling the most difficult terrain. As such, the 790 Adventure R is fully equipped for this. Specially developed for heavy duty – yet lightweight – spoked wheels are in real dirt-biased fitments; 21" front and 18" rear, fitted with Metzeler Karoo 3 tires. These hang from the premium WP XPLOR suspension to give the highest ground clearance and longest suspension travel in its segment with 240 mm of movement available in full control at each end of its fully adjustable suspension.
Visually the two new 790s are seperated most distinctly by the lack of the high mounted front mudgaurd on the base model bike - a similar move to how Triumph Motorcycles distinguish between their less capable (read: road-oriented) Tiger 800 models, with which the KTMs will now compete for market share.
The R model also has a decent chunk more ground clearance over the base bike, up by 40mm), which won't go amiss when riders take on the likes of the incredible KTM NZ Adventure Rallye.
KTM Australia and New Zealand has confirmed that both variants of the 790 Adventure will be available in June 2019, with pricing to be confirmed closer to the launch of the new bikes.
KTM 790 Adventure Specs
KTM 790 Adventure R Specific within [brackets]
ENGINE TYPE: 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC Parallel twin
DISPLACEMENT: 799cc
BORE x STROKE: 88 x 65.7mm
POWER: 70 kW (95 hp) @ 8,000 rpm
TORQUE: 88 Nm @ 6,600 rpm
COMPRESSION RATIO: 12.7:1
STARTER / BATTERY: Electric /12V 10Ah
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed
FUEL SYSTEM: DKK Dell’Orto (Throttle body 46 mm)
CONTROL: 8 V / DOHC
LUBRICATION: Pressure lubrication with 2 oil pumps
ENGINE OIL: Motorex, Power Synth SAE 10W-50
PRIMARY DRIVE: 39:75
FINAL DRIVE: 16:45
COOLING: Liquid cooled with water/oil heat exchanger
CLUTCH: Cable operated PASC™ Slipper clutch
IGNITION / ENGINE MANAGEMENT: Bosch EMS with RBW
TRACTION CONTROL: MTC (3-mode, disengageable, rally mode opt.) [ MTC (3-mode, disengageable]
FRAME: Chromium-molybdenum-steel frame using the engine as stressed element, powder coated
SUBFRAME: Chromium-molybdenum-steel trellis, powder coated
HANDLEBAR: Aluminum, tapered, Ø 28 / 22 mm
FRONT SUSPENSION: WP-USD Ø 43 mm [ WP-USD Ø 48 mm]
REAR SUSPENSION: WP shock absorber [ WP PDS shock absorber]
SUSPENSION TRAVEL FRONT/ REAR: 200/200 [240/240]
FRONT BRAKE: 2 × radially mounted 4 piston caliper, brake disc Ø 320 mm
REAR BRAKE: 2 piston floating caliper, brake disc Ø 260 mm
ABS: Bosch 9.1 MP (incl. Cornering-ABS and off-road mode, disengageable)
WHEELS FRONT/ REAR: 21-inch / 18-inch
TYRES FRONT/ REAR: 90/90-21"; 150/70-18"
CHAIN: X-Ring 5/8 × 1/4"
SILENCER: Stainless steel primary and secondary silencer
STEERING HEAD ANGLE: 64.1° [ 63.7°]
TRAIL: 107.8mm [110.4mm]
WHEEL BASE: 1509mm [1528mm]
GROUND CLEARANCE: 233mm [263mm]
SEAT HEIGHT: 850/830 [880]
FUEL TANK CAPACITY: 20-litres
DRY WEIGHT: approx 189kg (without fuel)