Ultimate Off-Roader: KTM 890 ADV R vs Yamaha Tenere 700

We put these two excellent middleweights head to head to see which is better.

00:00 - Intro
03:08 - Are they big dirt bikes?
03:56 - Balance/CG
05:15 - Suspension
09:31 - Rider Position
11:45 - Engines
15:04 - Electronics
18:44 - Reliability
20:55 - Conclusion

[ironinfidel]

You keep calling the tech on the KTM a " gimmick ". Tells me all I need to Know right there.

[gillesgenete]

Great and fair honest review, thank you. On my side, I tested them all, AfricaTwin1100, DucatiDesertX, Norden901, Tenere700, Tuareg660. I was close to a deal for the Tuareg when I found a brand new 890R of 2021 at a bargain price: she is now in my garage. Anyway the Tuareg660 was excellent, I felt better on it than the Tenere, my background being enduro bikes. I had WRF400, WRF250, EXCF450, EXCF500, and I feel good on the 890R. DesertX is excellent too but price is insane. Tuareg660 is pretty close to my 890, handling and engine feel, but 890R is 1 step above.

[willbaker]

Great review guys. I own the T7 and added the Rally Raid suspension. It really made the bike feel a lot better all around. Should have come like that from the factory.

[lqudmtlIV]

I've been looking for a T7 for a while.
I love that it's one of the few bikes that lacks (most) of the modern electronic trickery.
I want to see how bad a rider I am, not have a computer fix it for me.

[fcdrum]

Two great machines. I love T7, my choice is T7. GREAT VIDEO!! Thanks

[Jh-mprd]

As a taller rider 186cm I went with the 2024 tenere 700. Just picked it up. I like the review you guys give. I went for the tenere because it is simple. I dont like throttle by wire on any motorcycle, especially dont like all the traction control and buttons, maybe some day I will. Fyi, the new display on the tenere is way better than older versions.

[rcbigdaddy]

Nice review. Had an early 790r which I ended up selling for reasons unrelated to the bike. A couple of years later I was in the market again and went with the 890r. Considered the Tenere but the higher center of gravity, smaller fuel capacity, and stock suspension issues offset the higher price of the KTM. Both great bikes but the 890r is the perfect mid size adventure bike for me. Seems like the stock suspension on my 2022 890r is a bit more compliant than on the 790r I had. Overall reliability would go to the Tenere no doubt. So far my 890r has been fine but it's early days.

[TriAnglesD]

Really good review.

The T7 engine torque and quality, ride position, the KTM suspension, design and parts, cut out all the silly electronics...That's the bike that works?

[SmokinZen]

I have a T7 but I have to say I felt really well sitting on 890 but I don’t do as radical riding as you guys so the suspension isn’t a problem for my type of riding with it…for now haha

[marcochavane]

I have had a WR250R I put 20k miles on. Then two WR450Fs with similar miles. Big Yamaha fam. Im choosing the Norden 901 or the KTM 890 Adventure R for my next bike. I dont need a "crutch" to make it through a trail with my skill level, but I can appreciate not feeling ad fatigued from riding a more top heavy and slower bike at the same pace.

I rode a T7 anf 890 Adventure R back to back and the KTM is a lot easier to ride at highway speeds as well as low speed technical riding with its lower slung center of gravity.

The question reallt becomes more about "value". If you want to ride safer on rougher stuff you will need to drop a few grand on the Tenere suspension. Then at that point, the price difference is a lot closer so "value" gets a lot more subjective.

[rushiiiop]

my old 990 adv help me a lot, almost any trail was a piece of cake, now with the tenere 700 feels a little more of a workout but with time I will probably dial up the wrist to handle the bike. A little price to paid for reliability poor 990 almost 16 years old, I was like the 8th owner and full of electrical gremlins. I still miss you 990 :, D

[RedRupert]

Thanks for your views. You don't need to buy the electronic aids when you order the KTM. Mine has none of the extras, for the reasons you stated. The Yamaha is not powerful enough for road riding - I use every horse power the KTM has, but when off-road I regulate the power with the cylindrical device on the right of the handle bars. I've been doing this for 43 years!

In my view the KTM's suspension is too hard - my sag figures are: front 50, rear 67. I would like to see around 80mm. I'm regular weight (85kg). This is a disappointment.

[Der_Meikel]

Hey guys - this is an awesome video in the sense of how you compared the two bikes - would you be able to do something similiar with the T7 World Raid to see how the new suspension works in comparison?? THAT would be double awesome ;-) cheers Rgs from germany ;-) Mike

[PetterIvarsson]

informative, very nice form of review when you talked to each other

[NomadSweden]

Well done with this video. Enjoyed it. Keep it up!

[CBWANADA]

Good stuff. My 790r still chuggin flawlessly 😅 Havent used it much as a pack mule for camping tho which isnwhy i bought it..best get on with that.

[Bowiehair]

Dunno but it looks like ya could have adjusted the forks on the tenere. Did ya?? Very confused cause you stated you upgraded.

[gradocchio]

Great comparison, for the Tenere I would order it from new with the YA8-18000-00-00 Ohlins T7 YA818 Rear Shock and FKA-11400-00-00 Ohlins Front Shock Cartridge options from new, be ready to go!

[gordonborsboom]

Excellent commentary on the Yamaha. I agree on these positive/negative comments.
The T7 suspension stock engineering is baffling considering how well the YZ/WR lines are widely regarded as having class leading suspensions.
My T7 is amazing until you over-ride the suspension. Definite cost savings are throughout the T7. Unfortunately.
World Raid edition addresses these issues for me except for cruise control. I have throttle hand fatigue on distance riding.

[davidmallia]

Yes, bring on the Tuareg 660. Thanks, for the reviews.