KTM 790 Adventure R VS 690 Enduro, Swap or not?

A test ride on the 790 Adv R, som chat about the bikes, tire options?, comparison and some gravel, single track, road riding. Please let me hear what You think about these bikes compared to each other! Ofc other info as well is interesting 👍🏻Thanks fore the test ride BIKE Trollhättan! 💪

[billness]

2 years ago I struggled to decide what bike between a 500exc and the 690 Enduro R to build for my 8 week ride through Africa, Europe and the UK. The 690 won out. I built it into a Dakar Rally and had it shipped from the US to London. 12, 000 miles and 8 weeks later, my overall opinion was it was too heavy and too tall making it too difficult to pick up. Some days it was multiple times! It was in Africa that I struggled with it! It wore me out every day! Rally’s and Hare Scrambles were out of its and my league though I tried. I ride alone pretty much, meaning I have to pick my bike up myself. I don’t want to depend on others for help!
Once I got home, I quickly switched to the 500 and haven’t looked back! 8, 900 miles on it (5500 off road) it’s the best bike I’ve ever had! Rally’s, motocross, hare scrambles, steep mountain single tracks and 700 mile days.
All that said, the 790 is not a consideration at all for me. But that’s me! At 60 years old, light and agile is my main concern.

[Jamby]

Great review!

one great theory for adventure bike tires: go with a high milage rear tire & a high traction front tire.

that way you're not constantly buying rear tires & you have traction up front where it's most important.

I'm looking at the 790r as well & I think the perfect tire combo would be:
Front Tire: Shinko 804 or Conti TKC 80
Rear Tire: Motoz Tractionator GPS aligned for mostly off-road

Let me know what you think. 😄

[SulsaCikkectuve]

Wish more people would do comparisons like this

[jasonhurst]

Thanks for making this video! I'm looking to upgrade and was on the fence between the 690 and 790r. This video helped, probably going to get the 790r.

[guyzents]

I'm still riding my 2000LC4 640 love it. 75-80 mph all day across the Nevada desert.

[disekjoumoer]

Thanks for the review, Mattias. I've only sat on one at an expo, but already I'm thinking about it as a future machine.

[carlanavlyt]

Love the video bro. I have a 2017 ktm 690 r and I love it ! Fast and agile.

[marktaylor]

Absolutely no 690 is fast enough, lighter, easier to handle and more narrow if you ever plan to ride off road, if you want to ride on road then buy a 790 or buy a GS, simple as that.

[madman]

The front of that 790 looks like the Robot general from Star Wars.

[frankmalone]

Great review and very thorough. Your camera angles were excellent. Subscribed.

[craighorner]

Thanks for the great review! I was looking for a good comparison between KTM's 690 & 790 R. I'm looking forward to more great reviews as you get to spend more time on your new bike!
You mentioned tires... KTM fitted all of the 790 Adventure Rs at their press event in Morocco with Continental Twinduro TKC 80s. I'm sure KTM tried a lot of different tires on the 790 Adventure R before selecting TKC 80s, all to give journalists the best possible overall impression of the bike's off-road capability! So, that's going to be the tires that I put on when I get mine. I've had a deposit on the Adventure R for months now, and I'm still waiting for them to show up at dealers in the US.

[vaishaligujar]

I like these long videos i get to hear all information dont know why some people like short videos

[captainbob]

Hi Mattias from the US.  Thanks for the review.  I am also considering a 690 vs. a 790.  I keep leaning toward the 690 due to the 100lbs less weight.  The 690 would be more agile in the dirt.  The 790 of course, would be more comfortable on the road.  I do have a road bike which I plan on keeping, so maybe I should seriously consider the 690?  Looking at your bike next to the 790, your 690 looks lean and mean.  After rereading my own comments here, I think I just realized I have already made my decision.  For me....  The 2019 690 R, I believe, is the right choice.  Great comparison video.  Thank you again for taking the time to do this.  BTW, love your helmet graphics.  Stay safe!

[woxiduswoxidus]

@Mattias, what about vibration comparison on 690 vs 790? is it 790 way more quitier/comfortable in all RPM range

[ZSharkPH]

Great review my friend.. I could tell the 790 has a lot of power. Looks like it would be a nice around the world bike. If you weren't on a budget. I myself would rather give up some comfort and power to have light weight. As i like to paths less traveled solo. The 690 fully loaded was just about my limit to pick up by myself. Good luck with your decision.

[moulin]

Great review! I ride a Husky 701 and I was wondering myself.... I feel good about putting a deposit on the bike now... never bought a motorcycle before test riding it! This wine a first!! 😉

[frankgulla]

i have a 790 adv R on deposit here in the states, should come in beginning of June so i am told, wish i could just go to dealer and pick it up! I guess it depends on how you ride, the 790 will definately be better on road and not too bad in the dirt, cant wait to see!

[TheJaxsonjack]

As an avid cross country mountain biker, I'm always prepossessed with the gravel roads and double track that I pass up when I'm out for a ride on my Road King. In fact, I'm becoming bored shitless with the limitations of a road bike and I really feel like my riding is evolving into, essentially, mountain biking with a motor.

As impulsive as I am, I wouldn't be surprised if I trade the RK in for a 790R here real soon.

Unseen / unridden, I think the 790R would be the perfect bike for me.

I enjoy your video content. Keep up the good work!

[stigsy]

Great video. I like your jacket... I thought about selling my 520EXC and go for the 690 or even better the 701 enduro. I am 188 tall but the 701 is nearly too tall for me.
I did not ride the 790 yet but I feel much more attracted by the 790R now as the seat height is perfect for me. I am not so sure if I like the weight...
I heard the following advise: you have to plan your routes according to your bikes capabilities. If you do so you can choose whatever you like... Have fun.

[Kaegis]

Depends on your riding application. If you were doing faster and more technical, tighter offord riding, then the 690 is a better choice. However if you were touring more with less technical enduro, especially longer hauls and daily commuting then the 790 would be the better choice. I wanted a Huserberg FE570, IMO it is the holy grail of enduro bikes, esp for power and weight for its capacity. But they no longer make them with the forward facing engine. Also I no longer do hard enduro riding, So the 690 has sparked my interest for its versatility and ability to do a bit of everything and still be able to smash fast through forest trails and endurocross. Having seen this video, the 790 is certainly attractive and tempting. The only area that I would question is the actual "endurocross" side of it. Tight fast trails, jumps, whipping the bike around etc. I think the 790 has your name written all over it. 😉