By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
KTM 890 Adventure (MY2021) vs 890 Adventure R (MY2021)
KTM 890 Adventure MY2021 vs 890 Adventure R: long days, loaded bags, one choice to make.
You'll find the KTM 890 Adventure MY2021 keeps its weight low, and it's happy to commute, tour or take a gravel detour in one outing. The KTM 890 Adventure R doesn't stretch to a long day.
So which one do you buy?
The 890 Adventure R has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
Small edge: 890 Adventure R
Where the gravel starts, the 890 Adventure R pulls a nose ahead. Most of that is more suspension adjustment. Don't build a dirt plan on a gap that thin.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: 890 Adventure R
The 890 Adventure R nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. The reason: better suspension and a sportier chassis. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear advantage
The lower price doesn't settle which one is the better buy.
What makes each one tick
890 Adventure MY2021
The 890 Adventure's twin snaps awake the moment the throttle cracks open, and it doesn't let up from there. The brake lever reins it back in with ABS that reads the bike's lean. With fuel slung low around the engine, it'll drop into the next bend on gravel or tarmac. The stock seat's firm.
Nils rode the 890 Adventure MY2021 in 2021 (NastyNils Testride).
890 Adventure R
Dirt's where the Adventure R comes alive, riding on WP XPLOR suspension. There's 9.4 in (240 mm) of travel at each end for a rutted bump to sink into. The twin's strong in the midrange. It finishes each pull with a top-end rush.
Nils rode the 890 Adventure R in the Pyrenees in 2022 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 890 Adventure MY2021 has the lower seat: 32.7 in (830 mm) vs 34.6 in (880 mm).
- Adjustable Seat Height: standard on the 890 Adventure MY2021, not offered on the 890 Adventure R.
- The 890 Adventure R has more fork travel: 9.4 in (240 mm) vs 7.9 in (200 mm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Wrong tool: 890 Adventure R
There's no comfort verdict for the 890 Adventure R here. Its job is somewhere else.
Call it even on commuting and running costs. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
890 Adventure MY2021
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
890 Adventure R
What owners say
Strengths
- Punchy, characterful parallel‑twin engine
Known problems to check before you buy
890 Adventure MY2021
- 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.
890 Adventure R
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 4-year-old 890 Adventure MY2021 with a 4-year-old 890 Adventure R.
- 890 Adventure MY2021
- $9,000
- 890 Adventure R
- $9,800
At four years old, the KTM 890 Adventure MY2021 sits around $9,000 while the KTM 890 Adventure R runs about $9,800. That's an $800 gap in the US market. They're recorded figures, not live listings.
What they share
- Dry weight
- 463 lb (210 kg)
- Displacement
- 889 cc
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 105 hp (77 kW)
- Peak power at
- 8,000 rpm
- Torque
- 74 lb-ft (100 Nm)
- Peak torque at
- 6,500 rpm
- Fuel capacity
- 5.3 US gal (20 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
- Rear tire
- 150/70-18
Where the spec sheets split
| 890 Adventure MY2021 | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.7 in (830 mm) | 34.6 in (880 mm) |
| 890 Adventure MY2021 | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 9.2 in (233 mm) | 10.4 in (263 mm) |
| Front travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
| Rear travel | 7.9 in (200 mm) | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 890 Adventure MY2021 | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable Seat Height | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
