By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
KTM 790 Adventure R (MY2019) vs 890 Adventure R (MY2025)
KTM 790 Adventure R vs 890 Adventure R: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
Roll on the KTM 790 Adventure R in its Street map and it doesn't flinch, while Rally wakes a sharper motor. The KTM 890 Adventure R's twin surges hard once the midrange arrives. Up top, it's still spinning freely.
So which one do you buy?
The 890 Adventure R has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
A touch ahead: 890 Adventure R
Off the pavement, the 890 Adventure R asks a bit less of you. It's down to more suspension adjustment and more low-end pull. The gap won't matter much on easy gravel.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: 890 Adventure R
The 890 Adventure R is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. Thank harder acceleration for that.
What makes each one tick
790 Adventure R
The 790 Adventure R's twin pulls deep from low revs off a shut throttle in any gear, with no jerk in the pickup. Near redline, the motor's straining. A gravel tumble costs a mirror and a tank protector.
Nils rode the 790 Adventure R in 2019 (NastyNils Testride).
890 Adventure R
The 890 Adventure R's twin hits with an aggressive punch, yet the chassis stays composed. On loose dirt, it's light. The front tire darts wherever the bar points.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 890 Adventure R makes more peak power: 105 hp (77 kW) vs 95 hp (70 kW).
- The 890 Adventure R makes more peak torque: 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) vs 65 lb-ft (88 Nm).
- The 890 Adventure R has the larger engine: 889 cc vs 799 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
Look at commuting and running costs and you'll find two bikes doing the same job equally well. Fit is what breaks the tie.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
790 Adventure R
Strengths
- Mass Sits Down Low
- Two Bikes In A Map Switch
- Built To Survive A Crash
- Exceptional off-road capability for the middleweight ADV class
- Punchy, characterful LC8c parallel-twin
Trade-offs
- Quickshifter Costs Extra
- Windshield Adjustment Needs Tools
- Tall seat height limits accessibility
- Vibration through pegs and bars at highway cruise
890 Adventure R
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive, characterful twin engine
- Polished electronics package
- Superb off-road capability
Known problems to check before you buy
790 Adventure R
- Side stand switch failure The side stand cutout switch is prone to dirt ingress and corrosion, leading to intermittent failure to start or sudden engine cutoff while riding.
- Camchain tensioner noise and wear Owners report rattling noise from the cam chain area, in some cases requiring tensioner replacement under warranty. The issue is most commonly noted on cold starts.
- Premature rear shock seal wear The WP Xplor PDS shock develops seal weeping after extended off-road use, requiring service or replacement earlier than expected for an OEM unit.
- TFT display readability in direct sunlight The 5-inch TFT dashboard suffers from poor contrast in direct sunlight, making information difficult to read during midday riding.
890 Adventure R
- Camshaft wear on high-mileage engines Premature camshaft lobe wear has been reported on earlier 790/890 engines, potentially leading to metallic rattling, power loss, and expensive top-end repairs. While KTM may have revised parts, long-term data for the 2025 model is lacking.
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak power at
- 8,000 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
- Rear tire
- 150/70-18
- Front travel
- 9.4 in (240 mm)
- Rear travel
- 9.4 in (240 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| 790 Adventure R | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 34.6 in (880 mm) | 34.6 in (879 mm) |
| Dry weight | 417 lb (189 kg) | 463 lb (210 kg) |
| 790 Adventure R | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 799 cc | 889 cc |
| Power | 95 hp (70 kW) | 105 hp (77 kW) |
| Torque | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) | 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,600 rpm | 6,500 rpm |
| 790 Adventure R | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 55 mpg (US) / 4.3 L/100 km | 53 mpg (US) / 4.4 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.3 US gal (20 L) | 5.3 US gal (20.1 L) |
| 790 Adventure R | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 60.2 in (1528 mm) | 60.0 in (1525 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 10.4 in (263 mm) | 10.4 in (264 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 790 Adventure R | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Smartphone Connectivity | Option | Standard |
| Navigation | Option | Standard |
| USB Charging Port | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
