2023 KTM 890 Adventure / Honest Owners Review

Reviewing my 2023 KTM 890 Adventure. Is this the best off road adventure motorcycle available? I am coming from a Honda Africa Twin Adventure sport, a big premium adv motorcycle to this smaller nimble machine.
I will give you my pro's and con's along with a deep honesty real owners review of this bike.
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#ktm890adventure
#ktm
#motorcycle

[stefanc]

As far as "incomplete" goes KTM is all about minimalist and efficiency. Weight savings is huge for them and anytime they can combine things or eliminate things even as small as using the least amount of mounting bolts they do. That's why their off road bikes are consistently lighter than the competition, sometimes by a lot. For instance the mounts that look unfinished by the screen are strong because of the multiple ribs but don't need a cover to add extra weight. Other manufactures would probably use aluminum or a hollow molded part that was not as strong but looks more finished and possibly heavier. Any time the KTM engineers can cut weight and keep things functional they will. KTM is cutting edge when it comes to small details for weight savings. I think Honda is likely more focused on styling and fit and finish is more important than minimalism and weight savings. Excellent review.

[Gate]

Did the same had an Africa Twin AS 2022, just hated that monster bike, then got this 890, oh man oh man, I cannot described this bike, it's like heaven, call it unreliable, incomplete, ugly, this is by far the most awesome ride I've owned! there is nothing like it!

[vfgfxqv]

I’ve had the KTM790 adventure since 2019. It has all the tech features available. Im up to 16, 000 trouble free miles right now. The standard model can do just about everything you’d want to do on a 478 pound bike (Mine on the scale with gas). If I want to play Chris Birch I use my KTM690 or 350. I will probably get a new updated model with the nicer front end look.

[HDB]

Dude, I really like the flow in this review. I think I've watched hundreds reviews by now and this one really pops out. Kept me watching all the way. Thanks for the info!

[AntaresSQ]

4:45 This is interesting.

I've had an 890 for a big 1500 mile trip with 3000 miles on it at the start, same standard non R model with all the goodies. Now I have an Africa Twin 1100 Adventure Sports long termer that was delivered to me with 360 miles on the clock. The AT has loose throttle buttons, crappy windscreen adjustment that rattles and never seems to want to click in place, a seat that never quite feels locked in place and mirrors that are slightly loose at the ball joint.

The KTM I had, yes lot of plastic, and "unfinished parts" but it was solid. No rattles, everything that needs to be tight was tight. Virtually 0 lever wobble, nice solid handguards (for plastic), stable windscreen, it was just a lot "tighter" than the AT, and that's before all the handling and power benefits.

The KTM tail straight up looks sexy, something straight out of the 690 enduro, or similar, I really like the reworked front end too, the ball sacs for tanks take getting used to but aren't that bad. The AT is a sexy bike, but the KTM is a cool bike.

[joneill]

Enjoyed your review. I bought the same bike a few months ago and have put 1, 600 miles on it since then. Like you, my primary reason for buying the bike is the low end weight and resulting flickabiity and stability. Much superior to the 2019 Africa Twin Adventure Sports that I've ridden many times. I'm mostly an on road rider, but have taken it on fire roads a few times and found it to be the most secure and confidence inspiring adventure bike I've ridden. You're right about the stock screen being inadequate; I also added a mini screen to the top and that cured the buffeting. As for your two negatives about the bike, i.e. plastics/cheap and sitting on top, those characteristics never entered my mind until you mentioned them. I suppose there is a lot of plastic but that's the price for relatively low weight. As for sitting on top of rather than in the bike, I don't notice anything negative about the seating position and do appreciate the greater resulting leg room (which also results from putting the seat in the high position). So far no problems at all with reliability and I love the bike. Haven't taken on any long rides yet, but will be doing so this summer and will experience how it functions as a touring machine. Light weight no doubt will be a problem in strong cross winds, but the low center of gravity should help counter that.

[motorcycleadventuretrips]

My first KTM street/adventure bike but I've had a lot of RACE KTM dirt bikes. Reliability is fine if you just watch your maintenance like any other bike. No problems out of mine and I have over 15K miles on mine and love it.

[rzqkofr]

You can tell this reviewer does not come from a dirt bike background. The things he didn’t like are the very things that make it awesome off highway. Yet, it feels like a sport bike in the twisty. I have a Wing, a Aprilia V4, and a 450 dirt bike. This is in the geometric center of all these motorcycle types. I have an 890 R and an ‘S’ like this. They are awesome bikes. BTW I have had 0 problems with either.

[davidrsmith]

I have the '23 890 Adventure also. I now have about 2000 miles on it. What an amazing engine - but it is a bit noisy. I recently sold my BMW R1200GS but with that bike the engine made some weird noises and knocking sounds at 1500-2000 RPM - piston slap the Motorrad mechanic said "They all do that". I experiment. With 3000 miles on the ODO, I switched from BMW oil to Amsoil since Amsoil offers both 10W-40 and 15W-50 viscosities (both have MA2 rating for wet clutch). I started with the 10W-40 as this is what BMW oil was. The 10W-40 Amsoil quieted things down maybe by only 10-15%. But it was quieter. After a few weeks, I drained out half of the 10W-40 and replaced it with 15W-50. This mix (12.5W-45 ?) immediately reduced the engine cacophony and the low RPM piston slap to maybe only 40% of what it had with the BMW oil. Again, after a few weeks, I drained all of the oil, changed the filter and filled with Amsoil 15W-50. The engine noise was then almost completely gone! Piston slap too. Amazing. For sure, the engine did not seem as "snappy" (when revving the engine with tranny in neutral) with the thicker oil, but wide open on an open section of interstate was still extremely strong and smooth and quieter. 3x good. I'm going to try the same experiment with my 890. I'll let you know!

[webmuir]

We’re all looking for the Unicorn and thinking that the grass is greener. All bikes are compromises and all you can do is pick the compromise that beat suits your needs and wants. Sure the Tuareg is better off road but it’s less torquey on road. The Africa Twin is better on road but worse off. You pays your money, you takes your choice.

I say to my friends that I want a BMW 1250 RT that changes to a KTM 350 EXCF at the flick of a switch. Until then, the 890 is the best compromise I’ve found.

[boudix]

Hi Nice review, I’m I having the 2021 890-Adventure-R and I have a little comment about the plastics on the bike, that you do not like for a premium bike. The reason for that is quite simple, first of all the weight, it is Mitch lighter as metal, even aluminium would have more weight, because if you having bigger surface area, the aluminium has to be reinforced (on the back) to absorb greater forces it the bikes falls in a crash or tip over. 2e If you would use metal it would dent or have scratches in such event. 3e The cost of replacing metal painted, in different colours with shiny finish, of the body parts would be much higher. I know because I had to replace some of them after a minor crash. The other remark, “sitting on top of the bike” has to do with performance by keeping the COG low. Most of the competing bikes in the Adventure market do’t do that correctly and that is mostly the first complain from riders of BMW GS’s / Africa-Twin”s / Yamaha T7’s / etc, The Center of Gravity is because of metal fuel tanks, metal body parts, (and because of that the need for metal protection bars), is too high, and that makes the bike more difficult to ride. That is the reason in my opinion that KTM did it different. On the other hand there are no concessions on the frame and suspension this is all very sturdy and rigid. This bike is a functional driven design and that makes it so unique.

[Angry-Lynx]

Regarding reliability: pretty much everyone who opened valve cover on advrider forum after 10k km or more had smoked camshafts.
So yeah dont compare lil AT issues with ktm issues.
They or another planet in terms of dependability.
The only thing i worry about when i go ride my AT is where ill go.
When u own ktm everytime you hope it'll start, and engine wont explode.
Maybe im exageratting a lil, maybe not.
Had 950adv for 2 years and was mostly ok. But for 10 years I wouldn't keep it. Way too much stress.
790 I wouldn't want for free

[ferkuzuel]

Wow ! This was a great and honest review, not just a title to a video 👍

[terrellgarren]

Very good review. Thumbs up and subscribed. A critical owner's review is the best. I really don't like a bike review that begins at a dealership with "I'd like to thank for loaning me this bike bla bla bla..." So cheesy.

[RedRupert]

I love the way you speak - a real Yank!

For me, KTMs are all about function over form. They've done a great job making the bike feel light, and I agree with you completely about it not feeling premium, but it's a price I'm happy to pay.

[ssmith]

Bret Tkacs has a couple great videos on adjusting the ergonomics of a motorcycle, especially the one for adjusting an ADV bike. His method allows a happy compromise between seated and standing riding positions. I went through this and am glad I did as I found that handle risers are not needed...at least for me. I'm not saying you might not need risers as body dimensions vary from person to person.
I also have a 2003 Harley Davidson ultra classic electra glide, which I may feel like I am a part of the bike, but it is not as much fun to flick as my 2022 KTM 890 Adventure. I can easily move about on the seat to vary comfort and for controlling the bike in the twisties. I am a little envious of your 2023 as it has adjustable forks and looks great.
I enjoyed your video. I hope you coninue to have fun on your KTM.

[MentaL]

As an enduro rider I ambsolutely love the feeling of riding over my 2023 890, but if that is such a pain point for you, I suggest you try a husky Norden 901 with a custom front deflector, which is way more touring oriented while still preserving great offroad capabilities, or if you don't mind having less power, the Aprilia Tuareg 660 which has great suspensions and a nice sound on stock pipe. The Yamaha t7 is also a good option, but everyone complains the stock suspension sucks...Regarding the light front, you look like a heavy bloke (no offense), and most stock bikes are springed for a 75 kg rider + 75 kg pinion and luggage, so if you are heavier than 90 kg you definitely need the next stiffer springs front and back.

[lionelemata]

Adventure bikes in the early days was designed for asphalt riders to get their feet dirty. The 890, even the lesser one you have, was made for off-road riders to gets some asphalt time. All that plastic is normal for dirt bikes so it wasn’t weird for us. As far as tires, it doesn’t make any difference. During a BDR, I was stuck with a streeter replacement. I still smoked the other adventure bikes cuz this is the first bike where traction control feels seamless and natural. This is a serious off-road machine. You ride on it, not in it. I installed ‘HighwayDirtBike’ handguards w/ flip out mirrors, left hand rear brake and Rekluse clutch on my ‘21 Adventure R.
The right tool for the right job. That’s why I have a KTM 500 EXC for that job, and a CRF 300 Rally as my ‘third world’ country bike. On one BDR, a guy had a brand new Triumph Scrambler held together with baling wire, duct tape and pipe clamps cuz it was the wrong bike for the job. KTM is a serious bike for serious riders.

[gregor]

im glad you like it I sold my Africa twin 2 years ago and got yamaha tenere t700 best bike so far no bs modes simple and mych lest wight the at and it will run forever low compression engine not like ktm runs on 87 octane np not sure about ktm its a race bike 13.1 compression engine and its made in China so no ty Japanese made bikes ftw good luck 😊

[ekkycecil]

I really appreciate this review and thanks for making me realize that this is the bike I am going to buy next. I love all the pros and cons you've mentioned I can live with or find a work around.