Retro vs Modern - 2004 KTM 950 vs 2019 KTM 790 ADV R

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The KTM 950 Adventure is a cult icon. Most people that have ridden one have the fondest of fond memories of that bike. Early in 2019 KTM released their newest, greatest adventure bike and it's taken the market by storm.

In the context of all-road capability, the 790 is being lauded as one of the best ever, so what two better bike to compare.

We rode them back to back for two days and came to some interesting conclusions.

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📹Llewelyn Pavey
🎬Jade Evans & Llewelyn Pavey
🏍Llewelyn Pavey, Chris Northover & Carl Searles

[bdraidian]

I bought the standard 790 about 3 months ago. I was scared as I’m mainly a Harley Davidson owner. Best decision I ever made was going from a cruiser style bike to an adventure bike. In 3 months time I put more miles on my KTM than I did on my Harley all love this bike(well NoN-R version).

[ilbicchieredellastaffa]

After 10 years of riding 950 Adv S this summer I moved to 790... I feel really happy with it and I appreciate your reviews on how and where are the where are the differences.


But...damn... that engine... that sound of LC8 still drive me crazy!

[CCitis]

Bit of a stretch to call it Retro!... 2004 is still Modern to me! BUT I really like this format... Keep it up.

[awcharnock]

Having owned a 2008 990 and now a 790 adv (both standard models) I’d say this review is spot on. The biggest difference in the bikes is that the 790 is lighter but also feels so much lighter due to the weight being lower. It is very confidence Inspiring and I couldn’t agree more that the 790 does everything a little bit better which it should being a newer bike. Another big difference is the fuel economy, 990 would average 35-40 mpg (maybe 45 mpg if I really tried but that’s no fun) while the 790 is around 45-50 mpg which when traveling in developing countries fuel is your largest daily expense. I mostly ride hard enduro dirt bikes so I appreciate a competent adv bike in the dirt but another thing I’m noticing is the 790 is much better at stop and go city rinding as that is what happens on travels sometimes. The 990 was terrible at riding slow at stop and go as the bike wold get really hot with the loud fan on all the time, it would require a lot of attention to ride while the 790 is better suited but still not great as it is a ktm which are made more for the dirt than the city. The 990 was a flawless bike mechanically for me as I mostly did long trips with it such as 7 weeks in Mexico, I hope the 790 can do the same but all of the electronics make me a little nervous but so far so great!!

[dexio]

I got 790R in March this year. It had some small issues like almost any KTM does but boy, I've never had so much fun offroad on a big bike like I have with the 790R.

[MrSelfra]

Tried both of the bikes. You said the 950 got a nervous feel of itself compared to the 790. Well.. that depends on the driver. If you grow on the bike, the 950 is a beast you can do almost everything with. It's also way more cool looking and the sound is fantastic. 790 is great for starters, because you get more electronic help. 950 is my choice

[niallmatthews]

Great idea, love the comparison! the 'retro' bikes are the ones in my budget! great to see a decent review of an older bike, nice job

[cybertrophic]

Best thing about a 950 - you can pretty much rebuild it with the toolkit under the saddle. It can be fixed in the middle of nowhere, which matters if you ride them in the conditions the 950 was designed for.

[madstoppie]

Back in 2008 I had a 2005.5 KTM 950 Adventure S for a little while and it was enough to forever love it....I need to get another one!

[manybikes]

Fantastic Episode. I ride a 2009 KTM 950r Super Enduro and yeah... I think it is still to date the best adventure bike made - JUST 10 years before its time. Weighs the same as the 790, sports 100 hp and has 3" more travel! LOVE that bike... I was going to purchase a 790 Adv R... but after riding it (other than suspension and fuel injection) there just was not "that much of a difference" to push me over the edge. I mean... I'm never selling the 950se so there is not need for a 790 in the garage as it's stuffed full with the 450exc, 950se and 1190 Adv R...

[jackdaniels]

Thanks for a great review. I have a 950 SE which is the same weight as the 790r but has more suspension travel and ground clearance. Having ridden the 790r I found the seat to peg ratio very cramped and I'm only 6'1 ft. The 950 eng is awesome and I think the build design of the bike is better as well. Your right the 790r feels better on the road.. I'll keep my 950se.

[nimrod]

You do tests so well!!!😄👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I love how you go in detail about why it is some bikes ride the way they do and how it feels to ride them.
Nobody does it better😄

[jasperduncan]

Massive weight saving on 990 when AKRAPOVIČ silencers installed

[davereinhart]

I love this series!!! I cannot wait to see what you come up with next. I am hoping for a GS comparison. Thank you for doing these!

[strshooter]

Can't comment on the 790 as never ridden one but the 03 950 I own is a great ride, plus the sound and power is awesome which is why I still own it The 950 isn't perfect but the positives far outweigh the negatives.

[miradockal]

What an amazing review. 👍 Thanks so much. But still not convinced to swap my modified 950 adventure s to a 790 😆 The thrill I get from my 950, no other bike has delivered..., just yet 😉

[dc]

I think you bastards have the best motorcycle YouTube channel on YouTube. Seriously nobody's doing this. Thank you.

[BrapBang]

I love my 950 Super Enduro and its hard to upgrade to a 790 when it will cost so much money for small improvements.

[andrewbird]

Have to agree with you about the 950s off road ability, but having owned it for 14 years I'm very comfortable with it's road manners and love it

[jamesrogers]

Excellent review. I think you described the 950 character very accurately, and having ridden both these bikes your summary was excellent. Keep up the good work!