How Much Power Does the 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R Make?

KTM expanded its 2021 middleweight lineup with the all-new 890 Adventure R, replacing the 790 Adventure as its flagship middleweight ADV machine. Aside from a bump in displacement, the 890 is littered with functional improvements throughout.

The 890 Adventure R utilizes KTM’s updated LC8c 889cc DOHC parallel-twin engine that is also seen in the impressive 890 Duke R, said to produce more horsepower and torque than its predecessor, while meeting stricter emissions standards. Aside from its increase in displacement, the new powerplant leverages a higher compression ratio, larger intake and exhaust valves, an updated camshaft, and lighter pistons.

We recently ran the 890 Adventure R on the Cycle World dyno, recording horsepower and torque measurements standard to our testing protocol. The 890 produced a peak 86.46 hp at 8,320 rpm and 58.10 pound-feet of torque at 6,870 rpm, which is a slight increase to the 790 Adventure’s 83 hp and 57 pound-feet of torque we last recorded. A modest bump, but certainly more tractable with a smoother horsepower curve and flatter torque curve. Mission success.