Do I Still Love my 2023 KTM 890 Adventure after 6 Months? (EP.3)

6 months ago, I bought the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure (base model!) and made some bold claims. Was I right, or wrong? Also, I show the modifications and accessories I've added. #motorcycle #advrider #adv #dualsport #ktm

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00:00 Testing Theories...
04:42 Reliability?
08:06 Suspension Mods
10:36 Crash Protection
11:49 GPS
13:00 Tires
13:52 Seat
14:43 Luggage
16:12 More Mods
18:23 Final Thoughts ---
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[BigRockMoto]

What do you think, what mid-size ADV bike would you purchase in 2023? Please use my links below to support my channel:

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[GOX]

As someone who's not ridden regularly for 20 years, but hoping to get back into it, I really enjoy your channel and content. So much has changed. So thanks!

[bmwbob]

I sold my 2014 120GS with 95K miles and bought a 2021 KTM 890 Adventure R and road it for 10K miles and sold it to buy another BMW 1200GS. I found the 890 suspension high speed damping way too harsh and had it revalved a couple times and still to harsh. Power and handling is was outstanding and no mechanical problems. buffeting was horrible and tried several options and cheap eBay deflector helped. Seat sucked and got a Sargants. Ultimately I'm 72 and found the 890 harder to pick up than BMW as the KTM lays flat and the BMW eats miles better. at 72 I'm not getting crazy off road!

[Rudy-ek]

I have a 22 Ktm Adv R Here’s my short take
Upon delivery my lead acid battery was bad, dealer replaced with upgraded battery no charge. Some people say the lead batteries were causing immobilizer issues, maybe true I don’t know.
After riding for 1 year approx 3200 miles, I’ve had these problems…
Cold start up. Dealer said reported problem goes away after break in period. I can confirm it has never gone away.
These issues dealer fixed under warranty
Rear shock leaking.
Moisture under screen.
Quick shifter. Hard down shift from 5th to 4th Dealer said needed a software update and no problems with that since.
Overall I love my bike! Yes there are few somewhat small annoyances I’ve experienced, but if you can work with your dealer to get them fixed the 890 adventure bikes are extremely fun to ride!

Thanks for all your motorcycle reviews Ian

[gorongo]

I have a 2019 Husky 501 I’ve kitted for my dual sport rides. It’ll go 80mph on the highway and once offroad it’s so easy to go nearly anywhere. I also rode a KTM 890 on road in the Swiss, German and Italian Alps this last summer. Friend was on a GS and I had now problems keeping up with him. Now I’m considering an 890R, and your honest review is giving me the confidence to move forward on that decision. Thanks for this. I’m 63 and maybe I want to spend more time on roads and fire trails than the technical stuff. But I’m still keeping the Husky! 😮

[KMeyn]

Great video! Have done 16.000 kilometers plus (ca 9942 miles) with mine (-23 standard). Only had two issues: engine conked out in rally mode once, around 10 000 kilometers. Bike just died. Started again right away with engine fault symbol. Rode normally thereafter. Two starts later, engine fault symbol gone. 6000 kilometers later, no repeats (software glitch?).

Cruise control doesn't like bike wash. CC cannot be activated for approx. 1hr. But then comes back. Clutch cluster replaced under warranty but it didn't help. Works fine when riding in rain. Else it's been fine. Considering the R but I'm less of an offroad rider than you. So might stick with it the standard, time will show. As for reliability well I am not so concerned. Before this I did 55 000 kilometers on a 2019 Super Adventure S with only one issue in 2yrs (starter clutch replaced under warranty). Had way more issues with beemers over the same period.

The 890 is the best option I've tried in the segment, with a considerable margin. Cheers and thanks for all your excellent videos! :)

[Roo-nj]

I'd get the left control cluster looked at by the dealer. Mine had a pinched cable, which affected the turn signal. My dealer was excellent and had caught this before I took delivery and changed it out immediately. I have 6000km on my 2023 890 non-r. It's an excellent compromise bike. Few cold start issues, but changing to midgrade fuel and allowing the fuel pump to 'click off' once keying the bike on, seems to have gotten rid of any issues with cold start. I'm using the Motoz GPS rear and Motoz Rallyz front. We do tons of gravel travel.
My wish...KTM should make an adventure chassis version of the 690 with side gas tanks.
Thanks Ian!

[leeredpath]

thanks Ian, great reiew. i relly appreciate the fact that you can admit a mistake in a decision that the costs in upgrading the suspension was a mistake. (for you) . We all make mistakes, but many cant admit it. its very helpful in helping us in not making the same costly mistake. your honesty and integrity help make your channel the go to spot for bike reviews!! imho

[CheradenineZakalwe]

Thank you for being honest about the suspension path and upgrade assessment. Shows integrity.

[RandyPiscione]

Agree with most of your comments. I bought the non-R 2023 890, very happy with it. I sold a 2018 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R and now have a 2006 Harley V-Rod VRSCR and a 1991 Suzuki DR650 along with the 890. The 1290 was amazing, I miss it to be honest. Motor was crazy good. But, I ride mostly alone and the bike was a bit too heavy for me to lift on my own. The 890 is a perfect combination of power and weight. Where I live in southern Ontario there are very few good trails (and I severely envy you), so I went with the non-R. I can still do some light off-road and it works well on the road.

I also use one of those seat covers, on my DR650, and really like it. I'll probably change the battery as you did, and I'm considering one of the Rottweiler airbox mods. Nothing crazy, probably the lowest level version. I use Lone Rider bags, bit expensive but I like the combination of soft but sort of hard (no innuendo intended). The only thing I didn't add this time around was a centre stand. Any time I need to do something that would require a centre stand, I'm usually home so I just throw a jack under the bike.

Lastly, I wish this thing didn't have so much electronics. I ride with only the front ABS on, nothing else. The tech pack is an absolute necessity with this bike. With all of the traction control crap off, the bike feels like you would expect a 100hp bike to feel like. I know, it sounds like bravado, but I've been riding since 1972, and rode trials for a number of years, so throttle and brake control is very important to me. I highly recommend every motorcyclist ride trials for a little while.

[CyberducPA]

Best Bike ever, i own the R Modell now 35000km with zero issues and 100 percent fun

[lestersmyth]

Great review much appreciated. KTM make some great bikes unfortunately reliability and dealer back up here in the UK are very questionable.

[RandomGRK]

I so badly want an 890 but I really don't want to deal with the QC issues. The Facebook pages for the 890 platform (Husky and KTM) are non stop issues. I'm part of all the mid weight adv pages and I dont see the level of issues and complaints, not even close.

[lessmore]

Great info, Ian. 3 years into a T7 & remain convinced it was the right choice for me. Yes, spent enough on aftermarket & getting suspension sorted to be in the KTM price range, but never wanted electronic wizardry & haven’t once worried about reliability. Software glitches on a motorcycle sound nearly oxymoronic to me & would definitely turn me off recommending any bike that has them.

[robertcurtis]

Hey Ian, I bought that bike at the beginning of the year, and my turn signals stopped working after a 20 mile ride home from the dealer. After much wasted time they ended up replacing the whole wiring harness to fix it. Also it has a loose steering head bearing. The bike is great when it works. I still only have 600 miles on mine. Thank you for your content!

[northidrecluse]

Reliability is number one on an adventure bike. Who wants a breakdown in the middle of nowhere

[ukaszusielski]

after almost 8k km i don't regret buying Norden Expedition. Cold start issue disapears after 1, 5-2k km. Now always start with no problem. No problem with electronic either.
And how versatile this platform is amazes me. From asphalt tourer to dirt machine.

[TopsailBound]

Thanks for the honest reviews, especially on the 890 adventure. I recently parted with my 08 DL 1000 that I bought new and decided to take it off road during COVID to places it had no business being. Almost zero reliability issues to that point - so knowing about KTM issues is important. I may still buy the 890 but at least I'm doing it eyes wide open. Just bought a BRM t-shirt to say thank you. Keep it up!

[MotoNiz]

Another great video as usual. Was worried you weren't going to post additional episode after you upgraded to the R. Thanks so much for the added insight. After almost endless turmoil reseraching my next bike, I kept coming back to the 890 for many of the reasons you stated, even despite the potential reliability issues. Was torn between the Tiger, Vstrom, Taureg, but ultimately chose the KTM. I am so impressed by the power, how it handles, the low center mass is awesome and just sticks to any surface I've ridden. I'm going to use the CRF300 as my project bike, still love riding it as well. Thanks Ian for expertise!

[fleshpie]

I don´t comment often but this time after watching the whole video i have to. Your channel is pure GOLD!