KTM 790 ADVENTURE (2019 - 2020) Review

The OE rotors wore and warped after about 18,000 miles so I replaced them with Galfer wavy discs and EBC HH pads and they're perfect. Handling is light and precise though the ride is a tad harsh. Seat comfort on the S is pretty good, it's big enough to move about on, and I can do a full tank (about 230 miles) before needing a break.

Strong and torquey, makes the bike a joy to ride but sounds like a bucket of bolts. Why does it have to be so noisy? Other manufacturers seem to manage it. Runs a bit lean in closed loop (<6500rpm) but this can be cured by fitting the Coober LM-ECU which delivers superb midrange torque and driveability and smooth power all the way up.

The only problem I've ever had was a fork seal leak which was fixed in warranty. The TFT display suffers from misting which is annoying but not terminal. Done 24,000 miles so far and going strong, no cam problems which only affect a tiny minority of machines (and which KTM have promised to warranty even for the oldest bikes).

I service on mileage not calendar, so cost depends on how many miles I cover. The 9,000 mile service is about £300 from memory and the 18,000 roughly double, but it does include a valve clearance check.

Well made with a host of thoughtful features, however the tank design (which keeps the weight low - hooray!) means a 40 minute job removing panels before it can be lifted away to do any work underneath it. The "one finger clutch arm" is a worthwhile mod as is the front "crap flap". The Avons as fitted standard to the S are excellent road rubber, albeit with very limited ability in the dirt.

It is fantastic. The brakes feel wonderful and the different settings for ABS work very well. I was able to do several 600 mile days on a two week long trip comfortably with an added heated seat.

I really love the performance aspect of the engine. It works well both on and off road and creates a lot of giggles when you hit the power band. I love the engine, but hate the problems.

There are numerous other problems that I have run into in my 15,000 miles. The swingarm bolts weren't torqued and came loose during a cross country ride. The intake camshaft failed within the first 10,000 miles.

Oil changes cost around $60- $80 to diy. Camshafts run about $250 for an intake cam and $300 for the exhaust. I've also burned through several sets of tires, but I tend to lean towards softer rubber compounds.

The only thing that I really found I didn't like was the fuel gauge. It would take a few miles to decide how much it had in the tank from startup in the morning. I think, because of the large tank with low-slung portions the fuel migrated to one side when on the side stand overnight.

It is a great tourer and can ride for hours I did Madrid to Malaga and back in a weekend (that's 5 hours each way). Brakes are excellent and the handling is really good and predictable particularly at high speed

this is a great engine but I am waiting to get the A2 restriction removed as it obviously reduces power and torque, but even restricted you have most of what you need for daily life. The bottom end is great I will have to see about top end when they take the restrictor off in July

When I bought it it kept stalling don't know whether this was just the engine was tight or what? I have done 22,000 KM now in 17 months and I have had no failures or problems

I understand that the 30k service is expensive

Everything works but the quickshifter can under certain circumstances lead to a jolt on upshift in low gears and I have had quite a number of false neutrals. I don't know if this is inexperience and carelessness or if this is to do with the bike. Love the cruise control it is a great addition for longer trips and legal compliance on speed managed roads. Pannier and KTM topbox are rather small inside considering their outside dimensions. My scooter topbox will hold 2 fullsized helmets while the KTM struggles to hold one. I had heated seat and grips added when I moved to Poland they work fine but the heated seat does not appear to turn off once on and you aev to turn teh bike off to get it to turn off.

Brakes are great. At start seat was uncomfortable - after 1 hour needed a break. But it has bedded in, and not uncomfortable now - did a 4 hour ride between breaks. Taken it on forest track which hadn't been graded in a long time with exposed rocks. Really good going - though i should have taken the rubber inserts out of the pegs, and will likely add handlebar risers. Weight is low down.

Swapped BMW F800GS for KTM 1290 Superduke R then swapped that for this bike, so the engine is a totally different, but compares well to previous BMW F800GS. Engine is still warming up. The bike is really quiet. The akrapovic exhaust would be great, but at a cost.

Only done 1500 km - no issues. Low fuel does come on a bit early (with about 4-5 L remaining). It probably does take 1500-2000 km to bed in, you can really notice how it improves as time goes by.

15000 km servicing periods. I did a highway ride, got 434 km before the fuel light came on, then filled up with 15.5 L - so over 500km definitely possible. During town commute, I get about 400km on a tank.

It has most of what i want pivot pegs, hand guards, bash plate, doesn't feel like it needs crash bars, seat started out uncomfortable but after a few weeks it is fine so i wont be going for comfort seat. It is missing heated grips as standard (ordered), missing centre stand (but that would just add weight), cruise control not standard (probably will buy that later). I'm still deciding on screen for motorway riding. The bike came out before all the equipment was available. TFT screen works well, but i have to get a handle on the connectivity - currently leaving the sat nav to my phone attached to the handlebars.