By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid (DM12) vs KTM 890 Adventure R (MY2021)
On the first big handful of throttle, the Yamaha Tenere 700 World Raid's twin pulls in one steady line that doesn't spike. The KTM 890 Adventure R's engine shoves hard off the middle of the revs. Then it's still winding up into a top-end rush.
So which one do you buy?
The Tenere 700 World Raid has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Small edge: Tenere 700 World Raid
Day to day, the Tenere 700 World Raid works out slightly cheaper to own. The saving is small.
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: Tenere 700 World Raid
The Tenere 700 World Raid makes slightly more sense as a commuter. Don't read much into a gap this small.
What makes each one tick
Tenere 700 World Raid
On Kane Creek's rocky corners, the long-travel fork and shock soak up the rubble while the chassis steers in without drama. The front end won't wander. The CP2 twin keeps chugging through the last dusty mile.
890 Adventure R
There's real punch in the 890 Adventure R's LC8c twin, with power that squares up to open-class adventure bikes. Every crack of the throttle gets an instant answer. The bike snaps forward.
Nils rode the 890 Adventure R in the Pyrenees in 2022 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 890 Adventure R makes more peak power: 105 hp (77 kW) vs 73 hp (54 kW).
- The 890 Adventure R makes more peak torque: 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) vs 50 lb-ft (68 Nm).
- The 890 Adventure R has the larger engine: 889 cc vs 689 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Sits this out: 890 Adventure R
No long-distance verdict for the 890 Adventure R. It's made for something else entirely.
There's no real gap on the dirt and twisty roads. Sit on both and let fit and price decide.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Tenere 700 World Raid
What owners say
Strengths
- Reliable and tractable CP2 engine
- Competent off-road handling
890 Adventure R
What owners say
Strengths
- Punchy, characterful parallel‑twin engine
What they share
- Engine
- Parallel twin
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak torque at
- 6,500 rpm
- 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
| Tenere 700 World Raid | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 35.0 in (890 mm) | 34.6 in (880 mm) |
| Tenere 700 World Raid | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 689 cc | 889 cc |
| Power | 73 hp (54 kW) | 105 hp (77 kW) |
| Peak power at | 9,000 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 50 lb-ft (68 Nm) | 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) |
| Tenere 700 World Raid | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 6.1 US gal (23 L) | 5.3 US gal (20 L) |
| Tenere 700 World Raid | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 10.4 in (263 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.1 in (230 mm) | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.7 in (220 mm) | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Tenere 700 World Raid | 890 Adventure R | |
|---|---|---|
| Cruise Control | Standard | Option |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Standard | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
