KTM Unveils 890 Adventure For International Markets

It’s a little less equipped, but importantly more affordable, and still quite capable

• The 889cc parallel-twin motor delivers 105 PS and 100 Nm.
• More touring-friendly compared to the R and R Rally variants.
• Gets updated suspension with rebound damping and preload adjustment.

A couple of weeks ago, KTM introduced its latest offering for ADV enthusiasts, the 890 Adventure R and the 890 Adventure R Rally. Now, the Austrian brand has unveiled the third and the most affordable variant of this platform, the base 890 Adventure. The bike will hit showrooms as early as November 2020 in the United States, while other international markets will get the bike from December 2020 onwards.

The 889cc parallel-twin motor seen on the 890 Adventure R and the 890 Adventure R Rally remains untouched and continues to produce 105PS and 100Nm even on the standard trim. However, what KTM has worked on, is making the Adventure more easy-going than the focused R and R Rally variants.

KTM stresses that it has improved the touring capabilities of the 890 Adventure and that is evident from the shorter 107.8mm trail, which makes the bike sharper to steer on the road compared to the R and R Rally variant.

Just like the base variant of the standard 790 Adventure, the 890 Adventure is a travel-oriented variant in the lineup. It gets a bigger flyscreen, a comfortable split seat, and a low front fender. The handlebar too offers 30mm of reach adjustment and six mounting positions to suit riders of different sizes. The Adventure also gets dual-purpose tyres, instead of the knobbies seen on the R and R Rally variants.

While the most extreme of the trio, the R Rally gets 270mm of suspension travel, the standard gets 200mm travel at both ends. However, the WP Apex monoshock now features a new rebound damping adjuster along with a spring preload adjuster. The ground clearance, in turn, has now dropped down to 233mm and so has the seat height, to 850mm. It is 60mm lower compared to the R Rally and 30mm compared to the R variant. 

While this base Adventure’s suspension might not be as capable as that on the R or R Rally variants, there’s no compromise on the electronic suite. The 890 Adventure gets cornering ABS, traction control along with different ride modes, and an optional Rally mode with nine levels of wheel slip control.

As it is with every KTM, the 890 Adventure too gets an array of powerparts including a bi-directional quickshifter, heated seat and heated grips, and a rally pack. 

The 890 Adventure goes up against the likes of the Triumph Tiger 900 and the BMW F 850 GS. Unfortunately, like the 790 Adventure, the 890 Adventure family won’t be coming to India in the immediate future. What we could see coming very soon, is the 250 Adventure and hopefully, the 790 Adventure as well.