KTM launch new £20,899 890 Adventure R Rally alongside exclusive customer desert riding experience

KTM have tapped into their Dakar rally raiding knowhow to deliver the most capable (and most expensive) 890 Adventure off-roader to date.

The £20,899 890 Adventure R Rally will be available for pre order from Wednesday, 20 September 2023 and launches alongside an exclusive Ultimate KTM Desert Experience riding trip that will be open to just 34 Rally customers.

Just 700 of the new machines will be built, which boast a look, colours and components said to be comparable with KTM’s Dakar Rally winning factory 450 Rally race bike.  

Diving into the details the 889cc parallel twin engine continues to produce 103.6bhp and 73.8lb.ft of torque as before, and is compliant with Euro5b regulations. The soundtrack is further enhanced by an Akrapovič slip-on exhaust can but being road legal it’s unlikely to bark like the full factory 450 it’s inspired by.

Costing £7600 more than the standard 890 Adventure R (that’s a whole 390 Adventure with £1301 change) the Rally also benefits from more advanced WP Xplor Pro 7548 forks and a WP Xplor Pro 6746 rear shock taken from the firm’s Pro Components range.

With 270mm of travel at both end, the units offer 30mm more than the £13,299 Adventure R and lead down to more heavy duty Excel spoked rims that should be able to take more of a knock on rough terrain.

Further adding to the off-road credentials is a new rally-specific seat, with riders set to gain a surer footing thanks to metal rally foot pegs. And should the worst happen, and the bike get dropped, there are carbon covers on the tank, plus further reinforcements on the engine, rear master cylinder, and suspension components as standard.  

Being a new KTM, it’s also rammed full of tech, with a mobile connectable five inch TFT display providing turn by turn navigation, as well as the firm’s Tech Pack installed.

An £859.87 accessory on the 890 R, this unlocks cruise control, an up/down quickshifter, a Rally Pack, and more. This additional pack also unlocks a Rally riding mode, nine-stage traction control, throttle response adjustment, and the ability to deactivate the rear ABS.

Adventure awaits

Alongside the bike, KTM have also revealed their Ultimate Desert Experience trip, which is only available to those buying the R Rally. Joining riders like double enduro world champion Johnny Aubert, the 34 lucky entrants will explore Morocco with expert guides to find the explore the full capability of the motorcycle.

Split across 3-7 March and 7-11 March 2024, the trip will include technical support, luxury accommodation, and even a night camping in the desert.

Priced at €4900 per person (around £4210), more information can be found at ktm.com