By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Enduro vs Adventure
KTM 690 Enduro R (MY2019) vs 790 Adventure (MY2019)
KTM 690 Enduro R vs 790 Adventure: different classes, one choice. Here's how to make it.
Tip the KTM 690 Enduro R into a tight, rocky trail turn and it's already on its new line before you've finished asking. The KTM 790 Adventure settles in and holds its line.
So which one do you buy?
The 690 Enduro R has the edge if…
Real off-road capability
A touch ahead: 690 Enduro R
In the dirt, the 690 Enduro R edges ahead. Most of that is more suspension adjustment and lighter steering. Not enough to decide it alone.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: 690 Enduro R
On a winding road, the 690 Enduro R comes out a touch ahead. The difference is better suspension and a sportier chassis. You wouldn't bet much on a gap like that.
The 790 Adventure has the edge if…
A confidence-building first motorcycle
By a nose: 790 Adventure
The 790 Adventure is slightly friendlier for a newer rider. Put it down to more comfort and easier controls.
Keeping running costs low
Nose ahead: 790 Adventure
For the money you spend after the purchase, the 790 Adventure nudges ahead. The gap is too small to plan a budget around.
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: 790 Adventure
For the ride to work, the 790 Adventure noses ahead. The reason: easier everyday riding. Don't let that alone make the call.
Which one's the smarter buy
Different bikes, different deals
The 690 Enduro R and 790 Adventure sit in different classes, so there's no clear better buy for the money.
What makes each one tick
690 Enduro R
Technical trails bring out the agile side of the 690 Enduro R, because its light steel trellis frame doesn't give the bars much to wrestle. A bump sinks into 9.8 in (250 mm) of WP XPLOR travel at each end. That travel swallows it whole. The steel frame keeps its head on pavement.
790 Adventure
There's a raucous streak in the 790 Adventure, and its parallel twin revs freely all the way to the top. In city traffic or slow technical dirt, it isn't so tidy: low-rpm fueling can turn choppy and the throttle can get abrupt. The upright seat eats highway hours. The WP Apex fork stays plush on dirt.
Nils rode the 790 Adventure in Styria in 2019 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 790 Adventure makes more peak power: 95 hp (70 kW) vs 75 hp (55 kW).
- The 790 Adventure makes more peak torque: 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) vs 54 lb-ft (74 Nm).
- The 790 Adventure has the larger engine: 799 cc vs 693 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
690 Enduro R
What owners say
Strengths
- Lightweight and off-road capable
- Advanced electronics for a big single
Trade-offs
- Questionable long-term reliability
790 Adventure
What owners say
Strengths
- Excellent off-road capability in a middleweight package
- Strong LC8c engine with character
- Quality suspension for the price
Trade-offs
- Low-RPM fueling can be choppy
- Tall seat height
Known problems to check before you buy
690 Enduro R
- Electrical gremlins (stator, wiring harness) Corroded connectors, failing stators, and chafed wiring harnesses have been reported, causing intermittent electrical cutouts and charging system failures.
- Recall 21V792000: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:SLAVE CYLINDER Recall 21V792000 KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 690 Enduro R, Vitpilen 701, 701 Enduro, 701 Supermoto, 2019-2020 690 SMC R, Svartpilen, 2018-2019 690 Duke, and 2020 701 Enduro LR motorcycles. The bellow-style gasket on the clutch slave cylinder may have been damaged during manufacturing, which could cause the clutch to become inoperable and not disengage when the clutch lever is pulled in.
- Fuel pump prone to failure The in-tank fuel pump is a common failure point, often triggered by contaminated fuel or heat, causing the bike to stall or not start. Many owners carry a spare or replace with an aftermarket unit.
790 Adventure
- Front brake master cylinder return spring (Recall KTB2106 / NHTSA 21V-304) Recall 21V304000 The preload force of the front brake master cylinder piston return spring may be too low, potentially impairing braking function. Affects 2019-2020 models.
- Camshaft lobe premature wear The LC8c parallel twin can suffer premature camshaft lobe wear, the hardened lobe surfaces breaking down far earlier than normal service life would suggest. Owners notice hard or reluctant starting, a metallic top-end rattle, and a gradual loss of power as valve lift falls away. Left unchecked the wear spreads to the followers and the cylinder head has to come apart for camshaft replacement.
- Starting problems (hard start, multiple attempts) Engine often requires two or three start attempts, especially when cold. May be related to ECU mapping; a firmware update may improve it.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 6-year-old 690 Enduro R with a 6-year-old 790 Adventure.
- 690 Enduro R
- about $7,800
- 790 Adventure
- about $7,800
At six years old, the KTM 690 Enduro R and the KTM 790 Adventure both sit around $7,800 in the US used market. There's no meaningful price gap between them. These aren't live asking prices; they're estimates from earlier records.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Peak torque at
- 6,500 rpm
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 90/90-21
Where the spec sheets split
| 690 Enduro R | 790 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 693 cc | 799 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder | Parallel twin |
| Power | 75 hp (55 kW) | 95 hp (70 kW) |
| Peak power at | 8,000 rpm | 8,250 rpm |
| Torque | 54 lb-ft (74 Nm) | 65 lb-ft (88 Nm) |
| 690 Enduro R | 790 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.5 US gal (13.3 L) | 5.3 US gal (20 L) |
| 690 Enduro R | 790 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 140/80-18 | 150/70-18 |
| Ground clearance | 10.4 in (265 mm) | 9.2 in (234 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
| Rear travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 7.9 in (200 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 690 Enduro R | 790 Adventure | |
|---|---|---|
| Manually Adjustable Front Suspension | Standard | Not offered |
| Steering Damper | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Option |
| Quickshifter | Standard | Option |
| TFT Display | Not offered | Standard |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| Navigation | Not offered | Option |
| USB Charging Port | Standard | Not offered |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Not offered | Option |
| Adjustable Seat Height | Not offered | Standard |
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
