First look: KTM’s new 890 Adventure R Rally and 890 Adventure R
KTM has revealed two new Adventure models for 2021, the KTM 890 Adventure R Rally and 890 Adventure R extending the already broad travel range with the Red Bull KTM Rally team riders Toby Price and Sam Sunderland, plus Chris Birch helping launch the bikes.
Two years ago, KTM launched the 790 Adventure line-up and helped cement a new trend for middleweight ADV bikes. With all the big bike scale, technology and presence but with less weight, a nicely balanced twin-cylinder engine and more of a rider focus, the sector quickly took off.
For 2021 KTM has upcycled their already proven 890cc engine and re-tuned it to give the midweight Adventure R and R Rally machines more power and torque.
KTM 890 Adventure R Rally model highlights:
Limited edition, 700 units [500 INT & 200 US]
Updated engine & electronics
WP XPLOR Pro Components Suspension
Akrapovic exhaust (35% lighter than standard)
Straight racing seat (with 910 mm height)
RALLY mode and Quickshifter+ included
Narrow anodized wheel rims with tubes
Clear screen winglets and racing graphics and colours
Carbon fibre tank protectors and Rally footrests
KTM Rally team development
The KTM 890 Adventure R Rally is a specialised motorcycle for the hardcore Adventurer they say, versatile but with a list of additional parts that make it more off-road capable. The 890 Rally model also houses “a series of components and settings derived from the efforts of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Rally team” and “the data recorded across landscapes around the world has been analysed and applied directly” to the new model.
That includes the top-spec, fully adjustable WP Pro Components suspension with specific settings for off-road. Increased power from the four-stroke, twin cylinder, DOHC, Euro5-ready engine barks through the Akrapovic silencer on the Rally model.
Watch the launch video:
10hp and 12Nm more power and torque
It’s the hooligan brother of the the KTM 890 Adventure R but both promise to be everything the 790 Adventure R and Rally model are but with a little more clout. The new engine generates a claimed 105hp and 100Nm of torque, which is 10hp and 12Nm more than the smaller brother. The crankshaft features 20% more rotating mass and KTM say the overall effect of the engineering around the powerplant means a more stable and consistent output, noticeably at low RPM torque.
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The added mass also means added cornering stability they say which is a bonus for long distance riding. The Adventure R arrives with fully adjustable WP XPLOR suspension, new ABS software and new traction control algorithms.
KTM 890 Adventure R model highlights:
New 889cc engine with an added 90cc of displacement
Engine featuring 20% more rotating masses (Euro5)
More power with 105hp @ 8,000rpm
Added torque with 100Nm @ 6,500 rpm
Reinforced clutch
Improved ABS and Traction Control
Reworked shifting for faster gear changes
Updated Quickshifter+ (optional)
New handlebar switch for Cruise Control function
Chassis upgrades with aluminum steering head tube & lighter subframe
Reworked front & rear brakes
New suspension settings
Joachim Sauer, KTM Product Manager Travel: “We are lucky in at least two ways with the unveiling of our new KTM 890 ADVENTURE R RALLY and R models. Firstly, to be able to count on the high standards and excellent collaboration with our multi-title winning Rally team. It’s very cool to be able to use their work and their components and plug it straight into our production bikes.
“Secondly, we’re excited by the fact we’re providing a new riding experience. The increased performance in addition to the extra rotating mass are really transforming the feeling in low rpm, with the new bikes being even more stable and efficient for the long travels. I’m pretty sure KTM ADVENTURE riders will feel the difference as soon as they get on their saddles for any kind of riding adventure.”
The exclusive KTM 890 Adventure R Rally is available in limited quantities and can be pre-ordered * on ktm.com. The KTM 890 Adventure R will be arriving at KTM authorized dealers from November 2020 onwards.
*Pre-order is available from October 6, 2020 but excludes USA and Canada, where pre-order will be available starting on November 2.
More information: www.ktm.com
Photo Credit: Sebas Romero + Kiska
