When KTM released its LC8c-powered 790 Adventure and Adventure R adventure machines last year, the middleweight ADV segment sat up and took notice. In fact, the bikes’ off-road capabilities thoroughly impressed us on our ride through the Moroccan desert, and we speculated there would be more midsize models coming from KTM and Husky using the LC8c engine platform.
Our hunch was partly right. For 2021, KTM has launched the KTM 890 Adventure R Rally and KTM 890 Adventure R machines, which appear similar to last year’s 790s except that both use “new engine platforms with more power and torque,” according to KTM. So in that sense, the new bikes have more in common with the recently released Duke 890 R, which uses that same new engine (though still based on the 790′s powerplant). Also, there’s no regular Adventure model as with the 790s; KTM is going off-piste all the way with just an 890 R and a limited Rally edition.
In fact, despite the familiar parallel twin and chromoly steel tube packaging, there are quite a few changes happening down below—and beyond. Both the 890 R and 890 Rally use the same fuel-injected, DOHC powerplant with an increased bore and stroke for a 889cc displacement, but as on the new Duke, it also has a higher compression ratio, larger intake and exhaust valves, a new camshaft, and a new lighter piston design along with new connecting rods, all fitted under new engine cases and cylinder heads. Regulating the mix are sensors developed by Dell’Orto to measure manifold pressure and adjust accordingly. That’s much more than just a few tweaks, and in fact when we strapped the Duke 890 R to our in-house dyno, it recorded a whopping 106.2 hp—11 more than the 790 Duke. It remains to be seen how the differently tuned 890 Adventure models perform, but surely there’ll be similar gains.
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A new crankshaft appears hereon the 890 Adventures too, with 20 percent more rotating mass according to KTM, which it says helps cornering stability. The PASC slipper clutch returns, but shorter shift lever action enables quicker shifts, and the optional Quickshifter+ gets new settings for improved action as well. Ride by wire keeps throttle response smooth and rider aids include Street, Offroad, Rain, and optional Rally ride modes, Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC), and Motor Slip Regulation (MSR). Heated grips, heated seat, and cruise control are also optional.
As with the 790s, the new 890s get a frame made of chromium-molybdenum steel, but here it’s upgraded with a new aluminum steering head tube and lighter subframe. A steering damper comes standard and the tapered aluminum handlebar can be mounted on the triple clamp in six different positions.
The suspension package on both 890s is top-shelf thanks to components from KTM Group-owned WP, with the 890 Adventure R getting a beefy, inverted, and fully adjustable WP Xplor Pro 48mm fork featuring separated damping functions for each fork leg, and a WP Xplor PDS rear shock with a progressive damping system. Both ride on spoke wheels, with a 21-inch front and an 18-inch rear getting new anodized hubs and wearing Continental TKC 80 rubber for excellent traction. Clamping down on those wheels are dual 320mm discs with overhauled cornering and off-road ABS software and new traction control algorithms.
The limited-edition Adventure R Rally takes the 890 R platform but ramps up the off-road intent, with upgraded rally-ready longer-travel WP Pro suspension, an Akrapovič titanium muffler, high-strength D.I.D rims, a higher rally-oriented seat, and cruise control and the Quickshifter+ (and Rally mode) as standard. There will be only 700 units of the uniquely colored Rallys available worldwide (500 internationally and 200 for the US).
No pricing has been announced just yet, but we do know the 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R will hit authorized KTM dealers this November, while the 890 Adventure R Rally can be preordered on ktm.com beginning November 2, 2020.
For more info, see ktm.com/en-us.