KTM 790 ADVENTURE R: Is This the Best Adventure Bike on the Market? | Pros & Cons

#KTM790AdventureR #KTM790Adventure #KTM790

︾ Hello Riders, welcome to another video this time we are taking a closer look at the KTM 790 Adventure R and asking, is this the best adventure bike currently on the market? Eric is taking us through the pros and cons of the KTM 790 from both his experience with the bike in our tour operation.

》KTM 790 Adventure R SPECS《

Price $12,499/$13,499
Engine Liquid-cooled, DOHC, parallel twin
Displacement 799cc
Bore x Stroke 88.0mm x 65.7mm
Horsepower 95.0 hp @ 8,000 rpm
Torque 65.0 lb.-ft. @ 6,600 rpm
Transmission 6-speed
Final Drive Chain
Seat Height 32.7–33.5/34.6 in.
Rake 25.9/26.3°
Trail 4.2/4.3 in.
Front Suspension 43/48mm, nonadjustable/fully adjustable; 8.7/9.4-in. travel
Rear Suspension Preload adjustable/Fully adjustable; 8.7/9.4-in. travel
Front Tire 90/90-21
Rear Tire 150/70-18
Wheelbase 59.4/60.2 in.
Fuel Capacity 5.3 gal.
Claimed Curb Weight 417 lb.

》KTM 790 Adventure《

★Get Your FREE Motorcycle Travel Kit ★

★★Eric's Riding Gear ★★

Some of which he's worn for the last 10 years...Literally.



🎥 Video production, directing & thumbnail art by @lifeisforadv
Host: Eric Lange

[zzim]

No question for me. Its the only bike that actually fits my style of adventure riding. Long distance, fast off road exploring. The T7 was next for me but I needed fuel range and a little more comfort. Not to mention the power is sick on this bad boy. Clean filter in camp, agile as hell and wicked suspension makes it the bike.

[restless_soulism]

Respect, one of the most honest reviews I have seen on the KTM 790. You are definitely not sponsored by KTM. Its an excellent bike, but reliability is truly a KTM issue.

[theEHWAZ]

I really appreciate your honest and detailed videos, thank you! Everything has its pros and cons and that includes all motorcycles. I own a 790 R, my 4th bike ever, and by far my favorite to date with over 20 years of riding. I looked at most of the mid-sized ADV bikes out there but this one lined up best for me and I'm having a blast on it. Pros for me were electronics (they work amazingly well off-road & easy to change on the fly), HP (for the road), torque, high-end adjustable suspension, cruise control, and a quick-shifter that is a game-changer. The traction control and suspension saved my tail from falling on steep climbs and muddy surfaces numerous times, it's like I have a wizard in the engine. Zero issues so far with the bike and many videos out there of people pushing this bike crazy hard off-road that are also loving it with zero issues. I like the looks of the bike too and it looks even better dirty. The engine sound takes getting used to, even my wife asked if the bike should sound like that - ha!. I also feel that KTM should include the quick-shifter instead of paying $300+ for a software update, really? What I really need is an ADV riding lesson from you! Thanks again!

[armedresistance]

I own a 2020 790 R. And to be transparent, I recently returned from an 18 day trip over almost 4100 miles riding WABDR (1-4) and IDBDR in the process. The bike was flawless and is an absolute beast. The cons listed are knit-picking idiosyncrasies. The fuel gauge at first bugged me but there’s so much range that I never had to worry about it. Just reset trip 1 and pay attention if you’re going to be cutting it close. But with 250-280 miles (one stretch riding with a guy who couldn’t go over 60 mph on his geared-down DZ I would have gotten 330+ on the tank). It’s annoying at first but the weight design trade off is well worth it.

Just like there’s no “perfect” woman, there is no absolutely perfect motorcycle. But having owned many, this is as close as it gets for me! I love this bike and the pros are just so incredible. If you want to build a bike, buy the T700. If you want a ready-made race bike, buy the KTM. I’m not sure how this bike will hold up over the years, but it’s been fantastic so far. If You’re complaining about the magnets on the oil filters inside the motor, you’re really looking for stuff to complain about. LOL.

[TheLongjohndong]

Thank you for this real review not just a overview like most calling it a review. An that you are truly honest about you experiences with the machine good and the bad. NEED more true reviews like you do sir. Breath of fresh air

[pbinpg]

I have 7600 trouble free km on my 2020 790 R. I did make one improvement and replaced the Karoo 3s with Anakee Wilds 400 km ago. I absolutely live the bike.

[ThrillaPark]

Looking forward to the comparison bet 790 and T7. Tons of views...

[allenhuling]

Great video, thanks! Already made my choice and went with the T7. No regrets on my part, only thing lacking are my skills, as the bike can do all I'm capable of and more! Cheers and ride safe

[Mr.Winston]

Bought mine yesterday. Picking her up at the weekend. Such an amazing bike to ride, anywhere and everywhere. Coming from an 1190R. They have made the bike FEEL how I wanted the 1190 to feel. The weight is in the right place both on road and off.

I love the adjustability of the suspension and how wide the range of use is. And that quickshifter is a dream to use! Doesn't have the wild banshee power levels of an LC8 motor but.. honestly, with the quickshifter keeping the traction on the pinned back upshifts. I don't think she's much slower at all until north of 100mph.

[keyboarddancers]

Absolutely magnificent bike even in the most arduous rocky single track conditions.
The choice I would make for trekking across South America or Asia is the T7.

[bernardhossmoto]

Great, honest review.I have had mine for over a year now (see a 12 months review on my channel). I do get an "ignition key error" ever so often but no other problems so far.
If your oil cap is hard to remove and you actually CAN move your tank upwards and to the side the tank is not mounted properly. Mine does not move and the oil cap is easy to remove.

[drrider]

My Yamaha FJR1300 had an ignition switch recall and a ground spider wiring harness recall and Yamaha is overall very reliable. The only issue I've had with my R is faulty brake switches that left the brake light on. Once repaired, all good. No other reliability issues. The performance capability of this bike on and off road is amazing which is a massive PRO!

[BillCairns]

Solid Honest review... dig KTM harder in the ribs... they need it. Cons:- most of them you noted well, you skipped past the Clutch issue quickly.. it’s more than a clutch issue, the bike has a fundamental oil lubrication issue.. drying out the clutch, causing debris to brake of the plates and block oil ports throughout the engine leading to lack of upper cam lubrication and trimming chain jumping off... KTM are full aware of this BUT can’t sort issue and choose to IGNORE Customer Complaints.. so SAD...🙈

[paul.vanhout]

Very honest and insightful review. I bleed Orange somewhat but the T7 cannot be ignored and deserves strong consideration as well in this class.

[wave]

Just finished a 2 day and 1000k ride on my 17” cb500x. Over 600k on dirt and River cross with football size river rocks and steep rock gardens. The bike did really well. I was attempting to keep up with 3 790’s and they just smoked it. I now have a honda for sale and a bid on a790. Wish me luck.

[gregneville]

Great review. Only additional con I can think of is that you have to pay extra to unlock cruise control and rally mode etc. Kind of petty, but worth it.

[beomsukim]

Review is supposed to be like this

Great review!

[RollingMonkeys]

KTM just needs a bit more love then other bikes in terms of reliability😅 i love my SMCR and i surely get a EXC 500 and a 790 for some adventuring together with my son. Thanks for the video and greetings from Germany

[mithunkartha]

Had the engine dying all of a sudden on the 390 duke 2014 model, it was scary especially during corners. No fix was available.

Very informative video, thanks.

[veiledallegory]

It’s not a one off. Every 790R owner I’ve talked to has had similar problems. The first month I owned mine it’s was at the dealer for issues for 2 1/2 weeks of that. Cruise control quit working and they had to fly in a KTM tech to try and fix it. I also had a countershaft oil leak and condensation in the TFT screen. I’m hoping my problems are behind me but I’m not holding my breath.