KTM 790 ADVENTURE (2019 - 2020) Review

KTM launched their middleweight adventure bike range in 2019 with the 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R. This standard version was the ever so slightly tamer and more road biased version of the flagship R model.

The 790 was replaced in 2020 by the 890 Adventure, a more powerful and technologically advanced version. Then, KTM announced the 2023 790 Adventure - a cheaper base model of the bike manufactured in China by partners CFMoto.

Although more road focussed, it can’t hide its off-road credentials and while it has less ground clearance, suspension travel and lower-spec forks, it retains its true adventure credentials thanks to its true off-road wheel sizes: 21” front and 18” rear.

Well-equipped as standard, there are plenty of creature comforts and tech to play with, all the info displayed neatly on the TFT dash.

As an overall package it feels classy, substantial and confidence inspiring. Perfectly suited for any rider who wants to get more out of their adventure bike and feel less intimidated by the physical size and power of modern machines.

See our video review of the 790 Adventure and Adventure R here:

With WP suspension front and rear the bike feels well supported and firm - all of which is helped by its relative lack of weight. The rear shock is adjustable for pre-load, but the forks are non-adjustable yet still deliver good feedback on or off-road.

While the riding position feels focussed, it’s comfortable with the firm seat giving the support needed for long days. There is plenty of room to move backward and forwards and the handlebar clamp position can be adjusted to suit within a range of 40mm.

The low-slung fuel tanks which sit either side of the engine mean it’s well balanced and has a low centre of gravity, and that helps technical riding and high speed stability.

The 830mm seat height feels right for the size of bike and can be raised to 850mm with a new seat or lowered right down to 800mm with a lower seat and shorter rear shock.

There’s plenty of braking power on tap thanks to the twin 320mm discs and four pot calipers with plenty of feel for off-road performance. It features specific road and off-road ABS as well as cornering ABS.

Power comes courtesy of the same 799cc double overhead cam parallel twin motor first introduced in the 790 Duke in 2018, but with revised mapping for more mid range. With 95bhp at 8,000 rpm and 65ft/lb torque at 6,600rpm it has similar figures to the Honda Africa Twin or BMW 850GS, but due to its weight – 43kg lighter than the Honda - it feels lively and more responsive.

While it’s not fast like its big brother KTM 1290 Super Adventure or Ducati Multistrada Enduro, what it does have is easy to access and fun to play with. There is a great throttle connection giving precise control everywhere in the rev range.

Owners' reviews are limited but reliability isn't flagged as an issue. We also ran this bike's successor - the KTM 890 Adventure R - on the MCN Fleet in 2021 and had no reliability issues.

The reliability section in owners' reviews for the KTM 790 Duke does contain a few issues with reports of water ingress in switchgear, leaking coolant and oil, sensor failures and jerky quickshifters all mentioned.

Service intervals are generous, with an oil change every 9320 miles.

Originally published in MCN November 6, 2019, by Phil West

There was a time ‘adventure bike’ meant 1000ccplus leviathans built to transport two around the globe with price tags to match their proportions. Not any more. BMW set the mid-size adventure bike class rolling with their first F800GS in 2008, closely followed by Triumph and their Tiger 800 in 2010.

An enlarged F850GS debuted in 2018 while Triumph’s 800 is one of Hinckley’s most popular and successful all-rounders. But, despite the debut of other worthy newcomers such as Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 and Ducati’s Multistrada 950, the most notable recent arrival has surely been from Austrian adventure bike specialist KTM.

Their 790 Adventure not only draws on the success of its bigger, V-twin bikes, it also matches the Bavarian benchmark for power (95bhp), powertrain layout (an almost identikit parallel twin) and price. But is it actually better than the BMW and what exactly do you get for the money? Time for the MCN250 to find out...

KTM 790 Adventure vs BMW F850GS: The verdict

This is one of the closest 250 contests I’ve ridden. The GS benefits from 10 years of development and refinement to be a brilliant all-rounder, while nearly £2k of accessories give it luxury the KTM can’t hope to match. But underneath I can’t help but feel the F850 is showing its age.

The KTM, meanwhile, mostly matches it yet is newer, fresher and slightly sharper, if blighted by a harder seat and less proven reliability. My head says BMW and my heart KTM, but prices of these versions also play a big part and don’t forget Triumph’s brilliant Tiger 800 with rumours of an even better 900 for 2020.

Using class leading Bosch electronics, there are three engine modes including the new Rally mode, which enables you to play with the amount of rear wheel slip easily from levels one to nine whilst riding. This is an optional extra.

Cornering ABS is standard along with specific road and off-road settings. Off road changes the parameters of the front ABS while allowing the rear wheel to lock.

The TFT dash is clear, concise and not overbearing, instead displaying the info you need with the right priorities. The up and down quick shifter is an optional extra, but works well and makes clean positive gear changes.

Other items you can add to the KTM 790 Adventure spec include:

• Cruise control
• Luggage
• Heavy duty wheels
• Extra protection
• Heated grips