KTM 890 Adventure R vs. Base (S) Model | Which is Right for You?

This year I've owned and tested both the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure (base model) and the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R. Let's discuss the pros and cons of each and which one may be right for you. #ktm #ktm890adventure #motorcycle #adv #dirtbike #advrider

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00:00 Intro
01:10 Price
01:32 Seat Height
02:24 Features
03:04 Comfort
04:04 Warranty
04:37 Suspension
07:41 Choosing ---
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[BigRockMoto]

Which one would you buy? Or, would you buy a different bike or brand entirely? Chime in below.

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[Llamrei]

I could not be happier with the 2023 base model. As I am getting older I ride mild dirt so it is perfect for me. Thanks the the video.

[chrisandrews]

I just traded in my 23’ 890 base for a 23’ GS. The weight and handling of the 890 simply can’t be beat. I ride alone, and long distance. Right or wrong, I was always worried about the reliability . I never had a problem, but just couldn’t shake the concern. Great bike, I just didn’t trust it. I will say however, for your avg to medium rider- the base is plenty off road. More capable than the rider. Much better on road. I think it fits most riders better in fact.

[andres_pz]

I currently own a 390 adventure, and I know it's assembled in India, but they should definitely make their QC process better. During the first 600 miles I've had a dead battery that had to be replaced, TFT flickering if you are driving and there aren't clouds covering the sun, quickshifter that works randomly and also goes into neutral on its own, which I've found to be a bit concerning when going downhill and using engine brake.

There have been more issues, but those are the ones I can remember right now, and it's a bike with 600 miles / 1000 km. KTM should do better if they want someone to later upgrade to a KTM 890 Adventure, they might be build in Austria, but if there are products under your umbrella which are faulty, you should definitely step up your game.

Additionally (and this will not be a problem for many people) in my country base models (890s) don't sell, last time I went to KTM to view one I had to order the bike before I could sit on it, and that is just insane. In the case of the R model, people aren't buying it either, today I saw the 2023 model was priced at around 17.8k USD, but last year it was around 24k USD (motorcycles are really expensive here due to taxes), but that is a really big discount, because simply people don't buy them.

Sorry for the long text, but just wanted to vent a little bit, I'm sure there are people in countries where you can find good quality dealers who will fix every issue you have, but around here, if you break something it might take months to get a replacement, the technicians don't really know how to work on a bike with so many electronics (and this wouldn't be an issue, if things just worked).

To summarize, I think KTM should work on their QC process on all of their motorcycles, someone who is buying a 250 or 390 today could be someone buying a 1290 in a couple years, but if they are disappointed with errors, they will surely look at other options.

Greetings from South America

[samuelsilva]

I completely agree with your sharing. I'm short, I do more road riding, not much off-road, so I bought the 790 S. I've had the KTM for three years and I still love it.
Best regards from Portugal.

[JohnSmith-rpuh]

I couldn't be happier w/ my '23 base 890. I don't get to ride off road w/o an 1.5hr commute, I prefer the hwy comfort and will sacrifice a little offroad. I have had zero problems w/ mine, 4K miles....

[espero]

After many problems on the KTM 790 AdvR I had (two workshops were not able to replace the broken clutch lever sensor) I have sold it. No more Pierer Mobility bikes anymore. To much troubles with that. Now I am on Honda.

[rorymiskimen]

Very nice comparison! From reading on-line forums I know there are pros and cons to these bikes. Nevertheless, I was edging close to buying a 890S, when for the 2024 model year KTM pulled the 890S from the US market and reintroduced the 790S, with non-adjustable front suspension. I decided to buy a Tuareg 660, and got a good deal on a new 2023 model. Your Tuareg series has been extremely helpful to me, thanks!

[RandomGRK]

I was so close to getting a 2023 R but the reports of heat, wind buffeting and terrible reliability had me go for an older 2014 GS to run with my CRF450L.

[JackieTreehoorn]

As previous owner of 790 ADV R, think you nailed difference. R was very capable, liked it more watching Chris Birch thrash but BDR trails I was riding probably could have used base. Just went between the 2 & got a Norden 901 last week

[mkramsauer]

Awesome comparison Ian. Keep up the great work 👊

[docjoebie]

Thanks Ian for your videos. I got the 23 S model. Im short and light and even lowered it 1 inch more with custom hyperpro. Love it on road and some not crazy offroad.

[Kevwa]

Very happy with my “S” model. First adv bike, first time riding off road in 20 years so I’ve been slow and practicing my skills. I do ride about 50/50 on road/off road. Love how it handles on the street coming from 13 years of sport bikes and an 890 Duke before it. It really does everything I need it too. I’ve only bottomed out the forks once and it was riding across a V shaped ditch, my buddies 1090R bottomed out too so I don’t fault the bike at all. I’m also pretty short at 5’-7” with a 30” inseam so the shorter seat height was a big selling point. Feeling confident in hairy situations I think is more important than extra ground clearance for the average rider. Maybe someday I’ll advance enough where I notice the suspension but I think aftermarket upgrades will be enough for me at that point. Anything more serious off-road and I’ll buy an actual enduro, no reason to suffer with the wrong tool just because it can kind of do it, I’ll never be a good enough off-road rider to feel confident enough for that sort of thing on something this heavy.

[bigjoe]

Funny as you mentioned Reliability issues. My buddy just told me that his neighbour had a camshaft failure on his KTM he bought last year. And his buddy's KTM apparently also has some yeah KTM and reliability IS a thing for sure.

[patriot]

Ian, I would love to see you do a review of the Husky Norden 901Expedition model. I've watched hours upon hours of your content over the years and I have watched you back and forth between the 890 Adventure and 890 Adventure R for all the reasons you have explained in this video. One is more of the off-road camp and the other is for the milder Adv touring folks. Comfort vs capability seems to always be the discriminating factor. Well, as I'm sure you already know, Husky attempted to resolve that dilemma with the 901 Expedition. With the 2 piece seat and touring windscreen, as well as the WP Xplor suspension and a heavy duty bash plate....I really think this would be a worth while review. Keep up the good work!

[mightypowner]

I've personally come full circle from "mid-size" ADV bikes. Having owned a KTM 890R, I felt the bike was not the best for touring and not the best for off road. 

In fact, it was annoying on the highway and at speed due to buffeting, and off-road is was a handful. I found myself always worrying about not dropping it because it was such a pain to lift - especially since I would invariably drop the darned thing in sand on a steep narrow downslope. By the time I lifted it out I would be praying that I wouldn't drop it again. 

I have since realized there is (currently) no such thing as a unicorn bike, and there probably never will be. For me the mid-size ADV bike is a bike of compromises across the whole riding spectrum i.e on-road and off-road.

To that end I got a KTM 1290 S that I use for touring and gravel roads. It has amazing wind protection, awesome power, and is remarkably nimble. Frankly, aside from the price, I don't understand why anyone would get a 890S over a 1290S (assuming you're getting a KTM). I also have a CRF300 Rally (with upgraded suspension). It is a ton of fun off-road (for my skill level). I can easily pick it up after multiple drops, and I have no problem riding it on the highway for several hours if need be.

Bottom line: If I want to go touring with some light off-road it's the 1290. If I want to ride dirt with some touring it's the 300. Again all very personal and I am blessed to have the luxury of two bikes. Then again, f I were Chris Birch the I would probably just have a 1290R and rip up everything with a big grin on my face. Not happening in my case lol!

[robertlantiegne]

Thank you once again for a very comprehensive, easily absorbed run down on these bikes. Your previous videos covering the new kTM390 intrigued me and after checking them out at Mt. Baker Motor sports, in Bellingham, I bought one. That bike us probably the most fun bike I have ever owned. I spent 20 years on Road Kings while also having various pre- 2008 KLR650s and pre-1989 DR350SEs. 8 years ago I bought an R1200GS Rallye and marveled about the technology, highway ride and performance. I still own the R1200, but after watching your video, am putting on my gear and headed back to MBPS to check out the KTM890. I have complete trust in your appraisals of bikes and gear. I want to thank you, quite sincerely, for your commitment to adventure riding community. Big Rock Moto us always the first source I check when searching for this type of information.

[pablovmoya]

I went with the base model. I am 5.6 tall and 150 pounds. For fast off-road riding in not so technical terrains, the suspension is great even on the softer configuration. Once you hit more technical o highly uneven roads, the suspension will bottom. It is a trade off I am happy with.

[Zerzil]

I had my 890 Adventure (non-R) down some dirt roads last week. Doing around 90km/h and hit some puddle holes - no issues I can say. No bottoming out. I eventually ended up on a washed out road, and it handled the washout with small baby heads no problem either - didn't remember to pop it off of street mode either. I am by no means an aggressive or expert off-road rider though - and love the 890 because I too and old, short and fat. I did sit on the 890R and definitely noticed the seat height difference you spoke of (even though it is only an inch and a half)

[KMeyn]

Another great video Ian! When KTM announced the 2023 890 I'd already decided to let go of my 2019 1290 Super Adventure S. Primarily because of mileage, but also because I wanted to be able to tackle some more demanding high mountain gravel & dirt roads in the Alps (live in Scandinavia). So downsizing was the sensible route. While staying in orange. Did >55.000 kilometers with the 1290, almost fault free (just one minor niggle). So I'd not lost my confidence in KTM.

But the getting there is, especially for (some) Scandinavians, a big part of the whole adventure. Having something street/road biased makes sense. That, and a friend's remark on the stiffness of the 2023 890R had me chose the base model. Never rode the R, but one can tell the stiffness just from sitting on it.

Anyhow, 2023 season with the 890 base model (why can't they call it S for simplicity) ended around 19000 kilometers or ca 12000 miles. Just had some minor issues, else the motorcycle has been brilliant. And made me a better rider. To help people I've blogged about the whole experience, and will continue to do so. IF I decide to keep it.

Which is where I'm at. Prior to choosing the 890S (see above :) I'd tested the 2023 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro. I really liked it, but there were some things I didn't li. However, the 2024 model carries several improvements. So the question now is, one more season with the 890S, or the 2024 Tiger 900 Rally Pro.

The Tiger is a far better long distance traveller, I've no doubt about that. But even with improvements I suspect the 890S is a better motorcycle offroad. And way more fun. Never owned a Triumph. Maybe it's time to try British. Or maybe stay Orange. One definitely could have worse challenges in life, cheers :)