The idiosyncratic look of The KTM 790 and 890 Adventure, which have a sizeable gap between the light mask and the tank, was always a cause for excited spirits when motorcyclists talked about petrol. Few were genuinely excited by Kiska’s bold design, some could sympathize with it, but for a fair number of potential adventure customers, the disguise disguise was a disincentive to purchase.
A fact to look into Mattighofen has now apparently realized – for 2023 KTM is giving the 890 Adventure (as well as its R noble counterpart and the resurrected entry-level model 790 Adventure) a new, continuous and much more pleasing front fairing. However, that not only consists of a few square centimeters of plastic, but is reinforced by two robust aluminum profiles, which are intended to give the entire tower structure an extra portion of stability.
However, the recent upgrade the 890 Adventure includes much more than just the visual “gap closure”. During our first test drive in Portugal, the windshield turned out to be drastically improved. The plexiglass pane is significantly larger and reduces turbulence around the helmet to a minimum even at 130 km/h. However, you will still look in vain for a height adjustment of the windshield. Nevertheless, thanks to the drastically more efficient protection against wind and weather, the 890 Adventure makes a big leap forward in terms of travel comfort.
The graphics of the 5 inch TFT monitor (now with a more scratch-resistant mineral glass display and USB charging socket) has been refreshed and modernized – KTM probably takes the clearly structured screen of the Husqvarna Norden 901 as a model for the 890 Adventure. The always wonderfully intuitive menu navigation and operation via a control pad on the left handlebar is fortunately left untouched. In the optional rally mode (series: Rain, Street, Offroad), the lean angle-sensitive traction control can now not only be fine-tuned in 9 stages, but can also be completely deactivated at full speed (!) by pressing a button for 3 seconds.
A driving mode change also fits From now on, the ABS settings, which previously always had to be adapted separately, are also automatically activated – if you switch to off-road mode, for example, the off-road ABS with terrain-optimized front wheel control interval and deactivated rear wheel stuttering brake is also called up at the same time.
When buying a new 890 Adventure has the so-called demo mode enabled for 1500 kilometers ex works. In practice, this means that all electronic equipment that would otherwise be subject to a surcharge (cruise control, Quickshifter+, rally driving mode, etc.) is activated free of charge for the test period. Only after the trial distance has expired does the customer have to decide on the desired extras – and pay for them.
The improved arrow navigation Unfortunately, we were not able to try “turn-by-turn+” during our test round. It should allow 10 destination addresses and telephone numbers to be stored directly in the vehicle, so that frequent destinations and contacts can be called up directly via the motorcycle dashboard and not via a mobile phone.
KTM donated to the chassis The 890 Adventure has an upgraded fork that is largely identical to that of the Husqvarna Norden 901 (43 millimeters in diameter, adjustable compression and rebound), but is tuned differently. The suspension travel is also shorter at 20 centimeters at the front and rear, but it is always enough for all kinds of gravel detours. In contrast to the previous model, the setup feels much more progressive and a bit tighter, the fine response behavior should also have benefited. The fork upgrade is not only a pleasure for off-road expeditions, but also for a sporty driving style on asphalt: the front of the 890 Adventure dips less deeply than before when braking sharply.
Of course, that was too Suspension strut adapted to the fork setup, here rebound and preload can be adjusted (using a practical handwheel). The bottom line is that the modifications to the chassis are clearly noticeable and ensure a much more confident driving experience on the 890 Adventure, especially at ambitious speeds. The new standard tires also contribute to this: In 2023, the travel enduro will be delivered with the tried-and-tested, universal Pirelli Scorpion Rallye STR, which despite its solid off-road performance on dry surfaces is always available for steep inclines, even on asphalt, and cuts a fine figure even when driving in the rain . Nothing new with the enduro-typical wheel dimensions of the 890 Adventure: Thanks to 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear, there is still a wide range of tire models available.
Because of the modifications to the chassis the seat height, which can be adjusted in two stages, increases to 840 or 860 millimeters – one centimeter more than on the previous model. The fact that there is a clear gap between the side panel and saddle at the higher setting is not optimally solved optically – nevertheless, the high setting in particular guarantees a wonderfully relaxed knee angle together with an active riding position. With an optional, low seat, the seat height can be reduced to 825 millimeters in no time at all – a lowering kit that is also available comes at the expense of the suspension travel. According to KTM, the upholstery of the standard seat has also been revised – but we were not able to verify this without a direct comparison with the previous model.
From the 889 cc in-line twin there are no innovations to report – 105 hp and 100 Newton meters of torque are still on the data sheet. Nevertheless, this KTM drive is still one of the most entertaining, versatile and efficient travel enduro drives in the upper middle class. Depending on his driving style, his thirst for petrol amounts to 3.5 to 6 liters – thanks to the unconventionally shaped 20-liter tank, which makes an extremely low center of gravity and an amazingly compact knee closure possible, particularly economical gondolas with the fully tanked 215-kilo KTM are light therefore a range of well over 500 kilometers is realistic.
Bottom line, we can attest KTM a consistently clever and extremely successful update of the 890 Adventure in the first test. The improvement measures efficiently and precisely neutralize the small weaknesses of the previous model and make the mid-size travel enduro from Mattighofen an extremely strong opponent in its segment. But the biggest competition could possibly come from within the company: The new edition of the 95 hp and 88 Newton meters strong 790 Adventure (now with a 20 percent larger flywheel mass for more sophistication), which is manufactured by CFMoto in China, will probably be available from April an inexpensive, A2-compatible alternative to the 890 Adventure (manufactured in Mattighofen) in the KTM showrooms. If, on the other hand, money only plays a subordinate role, the new, also updated 890 Adventure R is also a possible travel enduro option in this segment. And last but not least, don’t forget the Husqvarna Norden 901.
For a specific assessment of Unfortunately, one important piece of information is currently missing: the price. The pocket calculator keyboard at KTM is still glowing, no information on this could be obtained from those responsible at the current time – we were put off to the beginning of 2023. In any case, the previous model was offered in Austria for around 15,100 euros. So it remains exciting to see whether this number will also be on the price tag in 2023 – and how much you will have to pay for a 790 Adventure or the 890 Adventure R in comparison.