By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
KTM 790 Adventure (MY2025) vs 890 Adventure (MY2021)
KTM 790 Adventure vs 890 Adventure: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
You'll feel the KTM 790 Adventure stay tractable off a closed throttle, and it's quick to rev out. The KTM 890 Adventure's throttle hits back with midrange punch.
What makes each one tick
790 Adventure
Long stretches at highway speed sit easy on the 790 Adventure, because its steering damper keeps the bars still and the chassis doesn't wander. On moderate dirt, a rock or ledge sinks into the long-travel WP suspension, and the spoked wheels on block tires don't lose their bite.
890 Adventure
Fuel doesn't sit high on the 890 Adventure, because the wrap-around tank hangs it low beside the engine, and the bike tips into bends like a smaller machine. The brake lever pulls the bike up with that fuel weight still riding low beside the engine. The twin's got torque to spare.
Nils rode the 890 Adventure in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 890 Adventure makes more peak power: 105 hp (77 kW) vs 95 hp (70 kW).
- The 890 Adventure makes more peak torque: 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) vs 64 lb-ft (87 Nm).
- The 890 Adventure has the larger engine: 889 cc vs 799 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Don't look for a gap on the dirt, commuting, twisty roads, long days, and running costs: there isn't one. Go by how each one fits you.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
790 Adventure
What owners say
Strengths
- Punchy and Flexible LC8c Parallel-Twin
- Capable Off-Road Foundation
- Comprehensive Electronics Suite
- Confident Highway Stability
890 Adventure
What owners say
Strengths
- Strong, torquey LC8c parallel-twin
- Comprehensive electronics package as standard
- Low center of gravity from wrap-around tank
Trade-offs
- Stock seat comfort divisive on long rides
- Rally mode and Quickshifter behind paywall
- Dealer network density issues
Known problems to check before you buy
790 Adventure
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
890 Adventure
- Camshaft and rocker arm wear (early production) Some early MY2021 units exhibited premature wear on camshafts and rocker arm bearings, in some cases requiring head replacement under warranty. KTM addressed this with updated parts in later production runs.
- Front brake feel and pad wear Some riders report the J.Juan front brake setup as lacking initial bite and exhibiting faster-than-expected pad wear under heavy use; commonly upgraded to alternative pad compounds.
- Clutch slave cylinder leakage Owners report hydraulic clutch slave cylinder weeping or leaking, sometimes requiring replacement. Tends to surface at moderate mileages.
- TFT display glitches and Bluetooth connectivity issues Intermittent reports of TFT display freezing, Bluetooth pairing dropouts with KTM My Ride app, and occasional display blackouts requiring ignition cycle. Often resolved via firmware updates at dealer.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
- Rear tire
- 150/70-18
- Ground clearance
- 9.2 in (233 mm)
- Front travel
- 7.9 in (200 mm)
- Rear travel
- 7.9 in (200 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| 790 Adventure | 890 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.1 in (840 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Dry weight | 439 lb (199 kg) | 463 lb (210 kg) |
| 790 Adventure | 890 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 799 cc | 889 cc |
| Power | 95 hp (70 kW) | 105 hp (77 kW) |
| Torque | 64 lb-ft (87 Nm) | 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) |
| 790 Adventure | 890 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 US gal (20.1 L) | 5.3 US gal (20 L) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 790 Adventure | 890 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Option |
| Adjustable Windscreen | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
