2024 KTM 790 Adventure Review | High Performance for Less Money

For 2024 KTM have brought back the 790 Adventure, but for less money and now made in China by their partner CFMOTO. With 95 HP and class leading features, is this the best adventure bike around the $10k price class? How does it compare to a Tenere 700, V-Strom 800DE, Aprilia Tuareg 660, KTM 890 Adventure, Honda Transalp etc? We also discuss the ongoing camshaft issues. #motorbike #ktm #advbike #advrider #790adventure

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00:00 Overview
02:19 Camshafts
08:15 Models/Prices
12:00 Specs
15:22 Features
19:34 Ergos/Drop Test
23:24 Maintenance
24:54 Highway Test
26:37 Sport Riding
29:18 Acceleration
30:37 Off Road
35:32 Sand Test
37:27 Competition
41:04 Pro/Con Summary
44:54 Audience Q&A
52:03 Final Thoughts ---
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[BigRockMoto]

This bike is made in China - would that stop you from buying it? Why or why not? Please be civil, but let's discuss! ( PS: yes, I repeated a sentence in the intro. That was a test to see if you were actually listening... :) )

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[Angry-Lynx]

Its not camshafts thats the biggest problem of ktm. Its how they handle it, or rather how they put head in sand instead of taking responsibility

[Ian.adventure_]

I would just like to say. I have watched many of your videos and find them amazing. You cover the whole topic with great detail. For people that have less bikes to try the videos and information is fantastic. Thank you. 🙏

[Gatekeeper]

Ktm‘s email doesn’t even come close to addressing the scope of the issue. They are correct there is nothing wrong with the camshaft. This has been proven by hardness testing and heat treat testing. However the main oil passage and the main oil jet does not allow proper lubrication for the camshaft, which is destroying the camshaft. This is confirmed by Ktm North America rep. It is also confirmed from Ktm North America rep, that all 790s 890s and 901s duke and adventure have this problem. My 2023 890 adventure R with 2300 miles was in a dealer for the same problem at the same time a 901 was in there for the same issue. The dealer had also confirmed what the Ktm North America rep said this is affecting all bikes, all models globally.

[donnyjackson]

Currently 3k miles from home on my 2024 790 ADV. has 7k miles on it now and will have 10k in the next week. It’s had 0 issues so far. Gets 58-60mpg and is comfortable and fast. No complaints so far.

[chrisvito]

Great work Ian! Great review as always & even better intro! lol!!

[zk]

I’ve got 33, 000 miles on mine and it runs great. It’s a 2020 and I’ve not received a letter yet

[kickbhack]

Perfect timing ! I got quotes from my local dealerships last week for this bike and you have just released this video today 👍As I'll be using it on the road mainly, with some offroad from time to time, it suits my needs perfectly. I think it is the best value for money if you want real performance and electronics. I had a Tenere World Raid before, it was a fantastic bike for offroad use but not so great on the road. Not at all concerned about the camshaft issues or the fact that it is being made by China. Thanks for your review, I am off to sign the contract... 😁

[Neil-sx]

The Yamaha T7 is the same price. It has less power but the Japanese reliability makes up for it

[cmdogphotography]

I have the 790 adventure 2023/2024 off road addition. I got it back in march this year and I've put just over 6000 miles on it. So far all running great. Plenty of green laning and I love the bike so much 👌🏻

[bradfuller]

I'VE e owned (2) 1290 SA, 690 Enduro R and many 250/300 platforms . I just bought a Vstrom 800 DE and absolutely love it ! It gives me piece of mind knowing im back on one of the Big 4

[IRLtrolls]

Here is my impression of every 790/890 owner. “Well I put 3, 000 miles on my KTM the last 3 years and it’s been perfectly reliable!”

The milage these KTM guys are citing is embarrassing. These bikes don’t fail till you get over 10, 000-15, 000 miles which is also embarrassing but I keep seeing KTM owners with shockingly low miles praise the bikes reliability.

Every modern two cylinder fuel injected motorcycle should be able to go 50, 000 miles with only oil changes and valve checks. These KTM guys pay for the prestige and the “Look at me” factor and then do a bunch of mental gymnastics about how they need professional level performance and don’t mind dealing with more maintenance because they really need the best off-road performance for riding 1, 000 miles of dirt roads every year.

Adv is the new Harley. Klim is the new leather. Lots of mid life crisis getting cut short by cam shaft failures.


That being said. Ian does this motorcycle stuff better than anyone. What a fantastic opening 😂😂

[lele.grazioli]

The new 790 has been out in Europe since 2023.
I have 15k km on mine, apart from a small radiator liquid leak (easily solved under warranty) I haven’t experienced any issue so far.
Of course I hope I will never have any other isse as I truly love this bike!
This is by far the best entry level adventure bike, I can say this because I did everything with it: solo and couple traveling, light and heavy offroad.
The engine is superb, comfort is good and no other competitor come even close on electronics.

[cvmyjqr]

Thanks Ian. You’re the best and honest. Keep em coming.

[AndreasBrander]

I’m just going to by a new adventure bike and it stands between the KTM 790 Adventure ore the Aprilia Tuareg 660. I need some help to choose??? What would you suggest? I ride more dirt and enduro trails.

[sandralunsford]

Big fan, but chewing popcorn while seeming annoyed by the fact that people may bash on ktm because of lack of maybe weak parts or QC seems a little counterintuitive! The bikes they make in Austria have these issues as well. I realize you like ktm and I do as well but that’s the world we live in. I don’t really know a lot of serious adv riders that don’t consider reliability at the top of there list when buying a bike.and ktm has issues more than Japanese brands, it’s just the truth. How was the popcorn?

[ricardorgomez]

Ooooh... You got me interested in the KTM again.... This is such a great bike it seems. I've wanted a KTM for YEARS but it just never happened. I rode a 990 Adventure once when KTM came into town and had a demo day. It was scary fast!

Haven't had a bike in over a decade but got to get one. I think 2025 is going to be the year. My two top choices: The Himalayan 450 or KTM 790 Adventure. I love the cost and relative simplicity of the RE. But the KTM is so perfectly designed and I love the looks. It's so perfect I think I could be happy with it for years. In that sense, it would be less expensive to own than the RE.

We'll see what happens. Thanks for your great videos!

[cpuuk]

It took the internet to get KTM to admit it. When Ducati released the Multistrada and that experience cam failure, they went "yup, we have a problem and we will recall all units...".

[mikeconforti]

85tt has so much going for it. If I was not going off-road much, it would be my very first choice. Great looks, character, reliability, easy to maintain yourself and they can be had for a good price for everything you get.

[jaynadler]

I have one. 2024 model year. Put Motoz tires on it right away. Side stand sensor went at 5000km, replaced by warranty. No other issues. I plan to replace oil every 5000km. I am now at 10, 000km and just did the ORBDR. It performed flawlessly. Happy with my choice.