2019 KTM 790 Adventure, intended to take Austrian firm KTM’s hooligan bike
reputation to the new arena. Based on the KTM 790 Duke “The Scalpel”, the 790 Adventure
comes in two flavours – the base 790 Adventure and the more off-road oriented
790 Adventure R.
Coming with the latest iteration of KTM’s LC8
engine, the twin-spark, 799 cc, liquid-cooled DOHC parallel-twin produces 95 hp
with power transmitted through a stacked sequential six-speed gearbox and PASC
slipper clutch. KTM claims enough fuel is carried in the 20-litre tank for 400
km long trips and service intervals are 15,000 km between visits which is a
long period for a machine spending time in less than ideal riding conditions.
Chrome-Moly steel is used for the 790 Adventure’s
frame, intended to be strong and light with die-cast alloy swingarm. Rolling on
a 21-inch spoked front wheel and 18-inch rear, the 790 Adventure is suspended
by WP Suspension 43 mm diameter upside-down front fork with rebound and
compression damping adjustment in separate legs, giving 200 mm of travel. At the back is a WP Apex
monoshock with 200 mm of suspension travel, adjustable for preload. A WP
steering damper is also fitted as standard.
Main difference between the KTM 790 Adventure and
Adventure R is in suspension travel, wth the 790 Adventure R getting 240 mm of
suspension travel, front and rear. Tyres are also different with the 790
Adventure coming with road-friendly Avon Trailriders and the 790 Adventure R
shod with Metzeler Karoo 3.
Inside the cockpit is an LCD panel showing all the
rider needs to know and LED lighting is used throughout, including KTM’s
current design trademark of bifurcated headlight. A full suite of riding aids
comes with the 2019 KTM 790 Adventure, including traction control, cornering
ABS, off-road ride mode and off-road ABS which disables ABS on the rear wheel.
