New KTM 890 Adventure R: 9 Things You Need To Know!

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[hm]

I don't care about any other feature but quickshifter and cruise control should never be behind a paywall in this day and age.

[cyphertheory]

flat out one of the main reasons I would not consider buying a KTM is the software package model

[andrewhamilton-gill]

So you try all the extras free for a while and then you have to pay to keep them coming ! Sounds like marriage …

[thorstenwanoth]

Thanks, I'll stick to my DEMO mode for the next 30K km on my XR650L then.

[verlinswarey]

It’s amazing how just a few design tweaks took this bike from something that was retina meltingly ugly, to something that actually looks pretty good. I’m seriously considering this bike! I really like it. And I liked the comment about “struggling to ride across a gravel parking lot”! That made me feel a lot better!

[alanjones]

My first KTM was a new 1190 Adventure then a new 1290superduk gt, it's bad enough having to buy a seat because the standard one is too hard, I have had to do this on both bikes, and then pay extra for something that's on the bike, but you have to pay again, even if the its a safety improvement, I Will NEVER BUY ANOTHER KTM,
I can't decide if I am being ripped of or having the piss taken out of me, or both.

[TheSquirrelSam]

I think it is reasonable to charge for software such as a navigation package, digital road book etc. Where the software has a specific function and you can choose another solution if you do not want the KTM one such as a bolt on GPS. However unlocking hardware you already own is a red line for me. Think if you had to pay to unlock hardware functionality in your mobile or laptop such as max screen resolution, longer battery life or faster processor!

[JohannesDalenMC]

They did good with the visual improvements, but the whole ZERO approach to tech upgrades isn't something I necessarily agree with. All those extra things increases the initial price of the bike. I'd much rather have the possibility of buying the bike without anything pre-fitted at a much lower price. Great video Bob!

[cp]

Demo mode seems pretty odd. Thankfully someone will develop jailbreak softwear to unlock it cheaply….

[RobinBassett]

Bike - yes, attitude to customers - no! #bugged

[corbinroberts]

I would be absolutely furious to look at a quickshifter on my bike knowing that it's locked behind a paywall.

[colonelclaw]

Was interested right up until you explained how the microtransactions work. Wow. Screw you KTM, you've just lost a potential customer. Thanks for the vid, Bob!

[SirOsisofLiver]

Won't be getting another KTM then. I won't abide bullshit software company marketing strategies on a motorcycle. Especially when there are still alternatives available.

[shonith]

You guys in U.K and Europe are lucky to get all the latest and greatest bikes. Here in India all we have is the 390 as the best offering by ktm.
As per the optional extras it looks like it's a good time to become a hacker😂

[BMWHP]

I'll never buy a bike (or car) with subsrciptions for stuff that is allready on the bike that I payed for, and have to subscribe to keep using it. NEVER.
I will pass this, and hope everyone will. That would teach those companies not to try and scam the customers.

[PeterParker-otpl]

I had quick shifter on my 2020 790R. At the 1000km service / software update I lost it. Dealer said some bikes come with it but lose it on update as mine did. KTM obviously was testing the market to see if they could sell more upgrades by giving a taste to begin with.
I learned to quick shift as a child. I don’t need a computer to do it for me. So I do without.

[northerncousin]

Initially my reaction was the same as most commenters - it's already on the bike, why I am paying for access. But then one person pointed out that building all the bikes the same is cost efficient for the manufacturer and by offering a trial you can test to see what options your really want - something you could not do if you were ordering as upgrades in the current dealer/sales model. What is being offered still allows you to opt for the base model (and the save your money) or select only those options you really want, say just cruise control, or buy the whole package at at price that is less than the total of the individual components. It may seem like a manipulative marketing scheme at first but viewed on the way I suggest, you the consumer have full control of what options you put on the bike and the total cost. Then again, as others have noted, some smart cookie will figure out a hack and make it all free. I, for one, am interested to see how the marketplace receives this sales strategy.

[mosa]

Love the negativity towards KTM in these comments. Pissing myself laughing at people who say they won't buy one because of the way it looks etc.
Great, thanks. That just leaves more on the shop floor for the rest of us to purchase, that know just how good looking they are BEHIND the bars, . You know, when you are riding it, not sitting at the coffee shop looking at it.
The Software idea is a good one. You try before you buy. There might be somethings in the package you don't need or want and will never use to their full potential. On the other hand there might be something that you think you don't want and then when you try it you actually like it. So you keep what you want and not what you don't and will never use. At least all the hardware is there ready to go. Take for example Cruise Control, I didn't have it on my 2019, therefore I did not have the controller on the handlebars. When I got it activated I had to buy a new cluster as well as pay for the software to be activated. I thought that was steep, but when I am in the Outback on the long straight stretches of tracks/roads - it is worth every penny spent. Some people don't go far enough or hard enough to need all the bells and whistles.

[casefarley]

KTM continues to embarrass itself with these 'optional' software packages. Do people really buy this top spec bike without all the bells and whistles? Do they pick and mix, buy the quickshifter but not engine braking control? Why would you do that? Making this stuff an add-on seems like a cheap, ugly cash grab. Not a good look.

[swatt]

OMG what marketing genius came up with that; pay loads for a new bike, get used to it and then have the features disabled until you pay more!?! WTF. What next, the engine power turns down and you have to pay to have full power again? How about they refund you if you elect to disable the features you don't want then? Would they do this on a feature that had a safety aspect to it or made the bike easier to control? Like you said, this is hardware, your not buying a skin for an avatar in a game.