2023-on KTM 890 Adventure R Review: Torque, Highlights, Performance, and Known Defects

It’s fair to say that KTM have improved the ergonomics on the 890 Adventure R compared to the previous model, with the facelift and changes to the fairing, fuel tank and cowling making a noticeable difference.

Even so, the seat causes discomfort after a day in the saddle and even though it’s a roomy machine, the riding position is still fairly aggressive in terms of the seat height to the pegs. Although the screen is slightly bigger, you still don’t get a massive amount in terms of protection from the elements compared to more road-biased adventure models.

Alongside this, KTM have equipped the R with Mitas ENDURO TRAIL+ rubber. Considering their aggressively off-road looking appearance, I was pleasantly surprised at how well they coped with the KTM’s feisty power delivery and impressive braking power on the road in dry conditions, both in terms of grip and stability.

Sure, they’re not as effective as a road-biased tyre and still give a slight vibration through the ‘bars, but they’re ample enough to have a reasonable amount of fun on, and offer an impressive level of confidence and feel, even in muddy conditions when taken off-road. The brakes offer a huge amount of power and feel, with the tyres being the only limiting factor in their usage when anchoring up incredibly hard.

In a segment that’s almost overflowing with incredible machinery, it takes a lot to stand out from the crowd. Yet the 890 Adventure R does just that, with an engine that packs a seriously impressive punch, throughout the rev range. Although the delivery is aggressive, it’s always manageable and is incredibly addictive, which offers a true sense of excitement with every rotation of the right wrist.

For road riding it really is a hoot, which places the 890 Adventure R as one of the most aggressive and playful machines in the sector. Yet even so it is more than happy to bimble along quietly at motorway speeds and has an incredibly delicate clutch feeling, making city riding and heavy traffic a doddle to navigate.

Alongside its road manners, the 890 Adventure R’s powerplant handles itself with incredible poise off-road too, with the optional ‘RALLY’ mode offering a huge amount of adjustability that allows for a precise, smooth and effective delivery of power, no matter what the surface throws up.

KTM have come a heck of a long way in terms of improving the reliability and build quality of their models, with the latest generation of the 890 Adventure models proving to be a truly solid bit of kit.

Since KTM built their Adventure range around the 890cc platform, there have been a few minor niggles, yet it has proved to be a largely reliable machine, no matter what owners have thrown at it. Care and maintenance between dealer services, especially if you’re hammering it off road and jetwashing it regularly, will go a long way to ensure it’ll stand up to the kind of riding it was built for.

A few people have experienced cam shaft problems with the 890 engine platform, to find out more read about it here. However, if this adventure machine still calls to you, be sure to check out MCN's classifieds for a deal. additionally, check out MCN Compare for a competitive insurance quote as well.

Although it’s not the most expensive model in the segment (especially when looking at the likes of the £14,795 Ducati DesertX), it isn’t on the cheaper end either. The base base model requires extra cash to be thrown at it to match the spec of a Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro at £14,195.

The KTM will cost almost the same as the Hinckley machine once you’ve achieved spec-parity. On the opposite end of the scale, a Yamaha Ténéré World Raid will set you back £11,910, while a basic BMW F850GS Adventure starts at just £11,750.

Yet no matter how much thought goes into the base value of the new 890 Adventure R, having to pay extra to enable the use of electronic hardware and features it already has after 1500km is a bitter pill to swallow, especially as it is as simple as plugging in a laptop.

Software-based upgrades are already a staple in the four-wheeled world: we hope it doesn’t set precedent for manufacturers adding/withdrawing features at will, or introducing subscription models.

The new dash is intuitive and easy to use and now gives extra functionality, including a turn-by-turn navigation system and a phone call out feature that will allow you to save ten of your favourite contacts.

But, considering the 890 Adventure R comes equipped with all the software and hardware to run the likes of cruise control, a quickshifter and even the additional ‘RALLY’ mode, you must remember that they are not standard fitment, and will disappear after 1500km. This does not include the additional cost of heated grips or a centre stand.