Employing a version of the parallel-twin engine found in the 790 Duke, with different tuning, the 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R promises to be one of the most dirt worthy adventure machines ever produced. Announced today in Milan, this new middleweight machine is loaded with technology and off-road capable chassis components. Here is the full press release from KTM:
THE MOST CAPABLE OFFROAD BIKE
Developed from KTM’s offroad race DNA, the 2019 KTM 790 ADVENTURE R is a serious offroad motorcycle equipped for extreme terrain. With the hardcore adventurer in mind, it balances the power of a twin, with the lightness and agility of a single-cylinder offroad bike, to open up new riding possibilities. It offers an impressive fuel range without compromising agility, feeding a powerful yet compact, smooth and reliable 799 cc LC8c engine. With its all new chassis, LC8c engine adapted for adventure riding and WP 48 mm XPLOR upside down front fork with split function technology, the KTM 790 ADVENTURE is built for endless exploration, whether it’s in the desert, on remote mountain trails or a transcontinental crossing. Access more extreme and distant offroad terrain thanks to easy-to-use rider aids and electronics that include a full-color TFT dashboard, motorcycle traction control (MTC) working in conjunction with ride mode selection including Street, Offroad, Rain and Rally mode and cornering ABS with Offroad ABS mode.
2019 KTM 790 ADVENTURE R HIGHLIGHTS
- Extremely powerful parallel twin, 4-stroke, 799 cc DOHC engine with electronic fuel injection, dual balancer shafts, PASC slipper clutch and Ride-by-Wire for a smoother and more refined response.
- Ultralight tubular Chromium Molybdenum steel frame with the engine as a stressed member to reduce weight and overall size.
- The fully-adjustable WP XPLOR 48 mm fork is the absolute best suspension currently offered on any adventure bike. Originally developed for Enduro riding, it is fitted with a spring on both sides and features separated damping functions for each fork leg for outstanding response and damping characteristics.
- The WP XPLOR PDS rear shock uses KTM’s trademark progressive damping system, which allows progressive damping without using a linkage for reduced weight and maintenance.
- Spoked wheels with a 21” front and an 18” rear for excellent offroad capability.
- A slim platform with a low-slung fuel tank to lower the center of gravity and allow the rider freedom of movement.
- Twin 320 mm front brake disks with 4 piston radially mounted calipers, Cornering ABS and Offroad ABS allow for an ideal mix of control and stopping power.
- Rider aids include Street, Offroad, Rain and Rally ride modes, motorcycle traction control (MTC), motorcycle slip regulation (MSR), the optional Quickshifter+ and KTM MY RIDE. Heated grips, heated seat and cruise control are also optional.
- LED headlight and taillight for great illumination and visibility.
- Multifunctional dashboard with full-color TFT display is bright and clear. The display’s configuration is variable and automatically adapts to variations in environmental light.
- Features an offroad setup including handguards and a one-piece seat for easy range of motion.
- Steering damper fitted as standard and setup to feel as natural as possible, giving the rider a secure feeling while keeping the offroad character of the bike.
- Tapered aluminum handlebar can be mounted in 6 positions on the triple clamp resulting in 30 mm of adjustability.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine Type: Parallel Twin, 4-Stroke, DOHC
Displacement: 799 cc
Bore/Stroke: 88 / 65.7 mm
Starter: Electric; 12V 10Ah
Transmission: 6 Gears
Fuel System: DKK Dell’Orto, 46 mm Throttle Body
Lubrication: Pressure Lubrication with Two Oil Pumps
Cooling: Liquid Cooling with Water/Oil Heat Exchanger
Clutch: PASC (Power Assisted Slipper Clutch), Mechanically Operated
Ignition: Bosch EMS with Ride-By-Wire
Frame: CroMoly Tubular Steel, Engine as Stressed Member
Subframe: CroMoly Steel Trellis
Handlebar: Aluminum, Tapered, Ø 26/22 mm
Front Suspension: WP USD Ø 48 mm
Rear Suspension: WP Monoshock with PDS
Suspension Travel Front/Rear: 240 mm / 9.4 in; 240 mm / 9.4 in
Front/Rear Brakes: Disc Brake 320 mm / 260 mm
Front/Rear Wheels: 2.50 x 21”, 4.50 x 18”
Front/Rear Tires: 90/90-21”; 150/70-18”
Steering Head Angle: 26.3º
Wheelbase: 1,528 mm ± 15 mm / 60.2 ± 0.6 in
Ground Clearance: 263 mm / 10.4 in
Seat Height: 880 mm; 34.6 in
Tank Capacity: 20 l / 5.3 gal
Dry Weight, Approx: 189 kg / 416.7 lbs
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I am a KTM loyalist. Have 8 of them. A few misses on this bike. No Brembo brakes. No hydraulic Clutch. Also have a question where is this bike being manufactured? Looks like KTM cut some corners on this one.
I’m not sure about the power assisted clutch. I’m guessing the hydraulics for it are done where the tranny is. The cable going from the clutch lever is just a way to actuate a relocated hydraulic reservoir? If that’s the case, it should be easier to maintain and not worry about bleeding.
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As for Brembo…well, they’ve been having lots of problems the past year or so. Recalls everywhere and I think they are overwhelmed with trying to correct those problems while still being able to keep production going. Getting in front of it has been difficult for them. I’ve had other brake systems and I’ve never had a recall on them and they’ve all performed superbly. If any improvement was ever needed, it was upgrading to a braided brake line and to me, that was like getting a new WSBK spec brake by comparison.
Alright,, alright alright, KTM launches the bike that everyone says they hoped for to buy. Lets reward them with sales, despite the lack of dealers and the sketchy parts network. This bike deserves on paper to be a winner.
Great looking bike. They can really design a performer and make it look good too, even more than the big 1290 super adv. As Goldilocks said, “this bike is just right!”
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Alas, I need a more road oriented bike these days so I have to go with the less performance oriented V85. It does more of what I “need” 95 % of the time. And I’ll probably be more happy for that reason.
this blows the t7 away, though it’s more likely to blow up on you than the yamaha
I think KTM has outgrown these old reliability concerns. Are their new bikes, last 3 years, still suffering from reliability issues? Not being sarcastic, I really don’t know.
Yup, crushes the Yamaha.
Does anyone know what the subframe is going to be made of? And is there a bashplate integrated into that tank? What’s it going to be like when you smack a rock while in a rut?
Looks like a steel tube and cast steel piece to me. Pretty standard stuff, but ideal for mounting a top box or Giant Loop bag and being able to hole up to the weight and all that bouncing around without breaking.
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I don’t think your concern about the tank is what you think. This isn’t like the 2 stroke model MXers where the tank hangs down next to the engine real low. I think what you’re looking at is just a plastic fairing-style-cover for overall protection. The bashplate will likely bolt to the bottom of the case like most bikes in this segment as there is no lower part of a cradle.
My understanding is that the gas tank is protected by metal. No need for crash bars.
See Yamaha, this is how you announce a bike release!
To those who balked at the Yamaha Tenere 700’s 450lb wet weight: “Dry Weight, Approx: 189 kg / 416.7 lbs”, that’ll translate to a bit over 450lb (gas = 6lb/gal x 5.3gal = 31.8lb + oil & coolant).
I guess that’s what a steer legal, off-road multi-cylinder bike is going to weigh.
“I guess that’s what a steer legal, off-road multi-cylinder bike is going to weigh.”
I believe that if this is what the KTM weighs in at, then you’re right. KTM have already proved in the MX and Enduro categories that they can make a trellis framed bike lighter than the aluminum cradled competition. The same rule would apply in this category too.
And the KTM will carry the gas weight low.
Very good point – should be significantly easier to pick up, which is the only time when the weight is an issue for me.