I was excited to get a Triumph Tiger Sport 800 , but I am only 5'4" 165 CM the low Gas Tank is a total selling point for me. Being as Short as I am I don't need to straddle a massive gas tank .. On my Street Bike I have a Tank bag that is very handy too ..
Once I take a test ride, my 2013 Tiger 800xc (with 53k miles on it - about 20% dirt) “may” start collecting dust in the garage. I’d probably opt for the basic Adventure over the R for road manners, but that rally mode calls to me.
Fantastic work, Simon! Makes me very excited for this entirely new class of bike. Was waiting for you to fall so thanks for that payoff at the end! lol
Great early review Simon and Upshift. Very interesting and close to my wants and needs factors, especially as I have been seriously considering a 1090R as my next bike.
Ah damnit! I was hoping there would be some negatives. I was pretty happy with my 990SMT, and did a 10,000km trip to the top of Australia on it, but this thing looks like it might give more flexibility and an even better experience for the next ride.
There are certainly better vented pieces out there specifically made for hot weather. But the vents it does have are well placed and performed well. Really wasn't terribly uncomfortable.
Amazing bike but I'm so worried about KTM electronics and reliability. My nearest dealership that can do diagnostics is 3000km away. I think I'll wait for the T7.
@@MrKdr500 I will say I do love KTM but they do still have their issues. I bought 2018 1090r brand new and had to replace a cracked lower radiator hose within 30 miles of purchase. Thought eh you know stuff like that can happen. at 1900 miles the valve cover gaskets blow and I get oil dumping from my bike on the interstate. Shut off immediately and take the bike to get a leakdown test and gaskets replaced. thankfully no ring damage but still 700 dollars to fix. Now at 5200 miles the fork seals need replaced and this is all In the span of 5 months. of 50/50 Road-offroad use. I love the bike but with all maintenance done exactly to spec or by the dealer itself and still running into that many issues is a tough pill to swallow.
@@Phynych why would it cost $700? At those km's it would def have been a warranty claim? Also the fork seals at 5 month would have been a warranty job? Ive had 5 different model KTM's in the past 18 years and have never once had an issue that stopped me riding other than the odd crash offroad through my own fault.
I want this bike so bad my gentleman parts hurt. The only question is, do they make guards for the tank yet? I have looked but can't find any. I think it could be an issue laying the bike down in a rocky area. Not nearly as bad as it could be for an R1200GS but still not pretty. You really need something protecting that tank.
They have a carbon fiber tank shield in the KTM Powerparts which can replace the plastic tank shield at the bottom of the tank on both sides of the bike. However, KTM claims they put the tank in -20 degree C weather and hit it hard with a steel pipe to test it's durability in a crash. The tank survived that test and according to several other accounts the tank on the 790 has survived several hard hits from rocks and tree stumps during crashes in it's development. That said...I'm sure someone at some point will have a bad enough crash to crack the tank. But at that point, a crash that bad would likely severely damage any bike. I just hope who ever is riding that bike doesn't get hurt too bad. Hope that helps.
We are sure that crash bars will eventually hit the market for this. But we aren't terribly concerned about the tanks. Not any more than any other tank. KTM has been running this type of configuration on their rally bikes for some time with great success.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE Good to know that. I'm not a rally driver and I'm lucky to stay upright half the time. I suspect KTM has thought this through. They seem to have really done well on all the other bikes and it certainly won't stop me from buying one. I wish it would arrive sooner!
Looks like a lot of fun! Im pretty sure a change in tires would make this much better dunlop d606 or mitas e09 for example. Thos tkc80s u have on wont be grabbing sand as much as more agressive ones. We tried all of the above and found d606 best allround offroad and good onroad also
We kind of had to run what KTM had installed. Yes a more traditional knobby tire would have performed better, but the TKC80 didn't do that badly really.
Nice video! First quality video I've seen of the 790R. If you wouldn't be comfortable on your 1090R in the dunes, you are not a very good driver. It's not very technical terrain. Of course the 790R is lighter, but the 1090R would be pretty good as well in the sand. Let's take the bike to trail riding and see what it can do in slow speed stuff!
Must be joking 191kg vs 189kg. Make sure you don't put anymore than 18ltr of fuel in the KTM or it will be the same. Also it's got 9hp more from the same 800cc. So probably got to rev 1000rpm more to get another 9hp, great for an off road bike. Bmw could have made it 90hp like the f800s/r but it's no race bike so they didn't. Remember the F850gs is 229kg. And has a 15 litre tank. It's almost like bmw moved away from being in competition with KTM
I dont get it, the bike weights 189 kg dry but a 690 enduro or 701 enduro is about 145kg + 5-10kg for a Rally fairing . They say the bike is about lighter weight than the 1090/1190/1290 Adventure. In my opinion it is too heavy and a 701 Enduro/690 Enduro with a kit would be a better Choice for Overlanding.
Single cylinder bikes are not ideal for long distance travel. They just don't hold up to 20K to 30K of roads in addition to offroad use. The paralel twin of 790 gives it the ADV legs some need in a more offroad capable package. The larger KTMs are still great offroad. But the 790 bridges the gap.
We really aren't that concerned with it. If you crash hard enough to rupture the tank, you likely have some significant issue that will outweigh the tank. They have been running tanks like this on their Rally Raid bikes for a long time with tremendous success. And it only be a matter of time before the aftermarket develops crash bars for this bike just like all the other ADV bikes out there.
Michael B You are right, very difficult to answer. But let's say that the 690 rider use his bike on weekend gravel races, Singel track exploring, Adventureriding like shorter travels, prefferable on gravel but not all days. Have You tried the 790 Adv R Michael?
Thanks for the great video! Because of the last scene I hope you can answer my question: is it easier to pick up, compared to other bikes in the same weight class? I imagine the low tank might help in that matter!
It's kind of what we had to work with at the time. Hopefully we will have 790 in our long term fleet to start putting miles on in more varied "real world" terrain.
@@alrightdave6135 Great question. In my case it is based on extrapolation from experience. Every year I look if there's a bike I would like to buy and I'm really opened when it comes to brands. If I'm not sure then I fly somewhere and rent it - it allows me to experience the bike without the financial commitment. In 2018 I rode BWM GS 800 as well as Africa Twin (rentals) for more than 20kkm + I ride my KTM Super Duke daily for commute. I think that at least I can say that I understand the basic principles of the KTM, BMW and Honda bikes and how they apply to my riding style. I choose that particular bike because I want smaller adventure bike as additional bike to my Super Duke that is heavily modded and serves as a street terror bike ATM. Both AT and GS are heavy and GS850 is in my eyes to expensive for what it offers. Triumphs on the other hand are not very popular where I live and all the local dealers are shitty. I never believed in "one bike to conquer it all" mentality so I didn't want to settle for a compromise in form of an asphalt tourer with spoked wheels (like GS 1200). I wanted something further down the off-road spectrum with lower mass and proper suspension. I previously had CRF250 and DRZ400, lots of fun but they had severe limitations when it comes to how far I can really go with them in a decently convenient way, especially if you are thinking about crossing countries. Initially I was going to get Husqvarna 701 and mod it for adventure riding but then the 790R came out. I paid for that bike the same day I had a chance to see that model in person at the dealership. After seeing it it was really a no brainier to buy it. Yeah it looks how it looks but all the other pieces are in the right places. It really does answer my core needs about this type of a motorcycle and saves me trouble of modding the 701. That said, of course there's a few % probability that this bike will be a flop, especially due to technical issues like with some KTMs in the past but it's impossible to really know. I hope that after owning few KTMs I know how to care about them so they keep being reliable but we will see. I'm done waiting for the ideal unicorn bike in the 800 class and at the moment I have more money than time so, yeah KTM 790R it is.
The 790 isn't meant to replace the 690 in terms of offroad capability or ground clearance. It's meant to offer some of those capabilities in an ADV package. The 1090 and 690 had a baby. The ultimate midsize RTW bike with strong offroad manners.
I’ve been riding for around 50 years and even if the bike is set up for it, I still get very freaked out when riding in deep rutted sand; I call it Kegel riding. Great to exercise the pelvic floor, but not really the reason I wanna ride. Anyone know a good video to watch that addresses the issue. Oh, but the way . . . good review! Quick question: Does this 790 have the 385/75 firing order?
Adam Baker: Thanks for taking the time to respond. When you say “sit” do you really mean plunking ass on seat? When I’m riding on loose terrain I’m on the pegs, knees slightly bent and arms in ease/effort mode. Of course my eyes (and head) are always positioned towards the future as well. What I can’t seem to smuggle into the comfort zone is throttle response. I know to keep moving you’ve gotta keep the wheels spinning, but I suspect there’s more to it than pinning the twisty thing; a skill that I just haven’t heard about or unpacked yet.
Sorry but why are you constantly comparing this bike with the much heavier 1090? What if you don't own or have never ridden a 1090? How about comparing it to the 690 Enduro R probably a closer bike to this or even an EXC 500?
It's actually not in the same class as the 690 and certainly not the 500. This is a twin cylinder ADV bike first and foremost. It is an evolution of the 950/990 and the 1090 in terms of design. Not the single cylinder dualsport bikes. It's not a replacement for the 1090 but it is going to take market share away from it especially with the riders looking for a lower center of gravity and more offroad capability.
We haven't had a chance to ride the F850GS yet. It's apples and oranges to the Triumph. It carries its weight much lower, feels a lot more nimble, quicker, etc.
They said this bike is the only one in its class. That being a lighter, more manageable, 1 up, ultimate adventure bike. And it is. Just hurry up and give me mine.
Well all the other bikes have left the class, all seem too be 229kg+ now not sure what's happening. If it sell well ? The T7 won't be competition either it's going in at the real budget end.
Yeah, i'll wait to get them reports after people have laid 'em down a couple of times ...not in sand :) 'til then: love the looks, specs are not what i wished for but still good, all that electronics ( i'm not convinced) ...sticking to my 1190 'r :) Thanx Upshift and Simon for great report !
Well bike isn't bad, definitely great, but I really have no WOW effect. I own Africa Twin, my good friends own F800GS, I really see so minor advantages (OMG it is 5 kilo lighter that last F800GS, OMG it has 10% more power, OMG it has 4 liters of fuel...) I can only imagine frustration of 1090 owners, who were listening songs from promo videos of 1090 - how good is this bike offroad and that is is much lighter and lower center of gravity from 1190, but apparently it was not - it is heavy, not balanced and lacking all KTM gizmos given to 790 - cornering ABS, TFT, slipper catch, super suspension etc etc. I'm afraid they will run to trade-in their 1090 lake hell :-) What KTM dealers will do with all those 1090 leftovers... So that are the targets of current KTM line-up on/off road? I see like that: 690 30/70 790R 50/50 790 60/40 1090 70/30 (??? Really ???) 1290R 80/20 1290S 90/10 Look the specs of Honda Transalp XL600v 1987! 790 hardly reach such a perfect balance that was made 32!!! years ago. WOW KTM, you finally made Transalp, like 1250BMW finally implemented VTEC? Over. Out.
@Mohameat tic toc Kaboom Wish KTM 790 fully meet your expectations. For me first reason of buying AT is her look, I'm in love with her look and thanks to Gods of Japan that in addition to great look they gave AT wonderful adventure mc specs. (I can't imagine my wife sitting behind me on 790 :-) )
So if you had a choice of a bike that weights 10% less than current (top of the range in segment) adventure bikes and has about 10% more power with electronics that actually work made by a company that has been pretty much dominating every off road event including the Dakar for the past 20 years your wouldn't be "wowed" by it? Makes sense. The fact that they improved on the 1090 is a bad choice in your mind? In case you haven't read or heard the 790 was based if consumer requests after having experience with the 1090. They wanted a bike around 800cc with around 100hp and around 180kgs with full electrics. KTM delivered. Over. Out
my transalp xl600v pd10 (1996 made in spain model) has 1,82,000 kms on it. been around the world once. if i get my money back on the sum ive paid to change tires, i could buy the KTM 790 brand new maybe, but i think ill just skip that and buy more tires.
I to own the Africa twin but it is for sale right now. The 790 is a far better bike for 1 up, more dirt style adventure. The weight difference not to mention the lack of fuel in my AT. I also had to carry extra, which to me immediately tells me the bike is not a true adventure bike. The 790 gives better suspension, farther range, metal pegs, knobbies, lower center of weight, blue tooth. Hands down, this bike is far superior to that of a AT or BMW. Unless your just a street touring guy.
At the end of the day they are quite different bikes. In this video, it was easy to point out certain specifics of where the 790 is better. We didn't have a ton of time with it. But in time, we will be able to dive deeper into the specifics of how these bikes are different and what we like and don't like.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE i'm looking forward to all the info & comparisons you can give us! 😁👍👏😎 my 31" inseam does not like heavy tall bikes (1090). I've put a deposit down on the 790 but i might not be high enough on the list to get this year's 790. if that's the case I think I'd like the Standard Africa Twin with its lower seat. But seems like the 790 being 40 to 45lbs lighter, lower c.o.g., fantastic suspenders... makes it a hard pkg to beat! more flickable whether in town, carving canyons or best of all... getting dirty off-road!
It may be better over long distances on the road. Obviously the lighter weight and lower center of gravity make the 790R much better in the conditions that it is being tested in.
It's different. The 690 is a big dirtbike with some ADV characteristics. The 790 is an ADV with some dirtbike/rally characteristics. The biggest difference is the parallel twin and the power it generates. Superior on long trips than a thumper. It also has a lot more range. The 690 does have more ground clearance and is going to be able to hit single track and challenging offroad scenarios with more confidence. Apples and Oranges.
News flash: In case you don't have time to watch the video: the 1090 is heavy over weight garbage and lacks the electronic options of the far superior 790. It goes places you could never take a 1090. Like rocky trails and loose sand.
Not really... we only had a handful of hours with it. We are sure that when we get one into the fleet and put real time on it, we will be able to speak to certain things in more detail. But for the initial impression, we are quite impressed. The cable clutch really wasn't anything we thought about. Magura has assured us they are working on a hydraulic kit, but it may be a few months.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE :-) it is awful that they stuck a cable clutch on there. It has back light buttons! talk about the wrong priorities. did you have to do any clutch feathering on the technical rides? how did you feel after?
You can't say you were 'only' on it for a handful of hours to defend a lack of negatives, but then a few comments up above say you were on the bike for 'hours' to justify a positive comment. @@UPSHIFT_ONLINE
Connoisseur of the motorcycling world, "There isn't another bike like this"! Expect maybe the BMW F800GS & Adventure for the past 10 years or so, and the F850 now..
This bike rides nothing like an F800GS. Far lower center of gravity and way better suspension. The list goes on. Haven't had the chance to ride the 850 yet though. We have heard it's a significant improvement.
Thanks! And you had an okay time getting your foot down and feeling comfy with the 790? I've got a 31" inseam and between the seat height, weight and the huge tank on the 1090...I felt like a fish out of water on a 1090. Trying to decide between a standard Africa Twin (lower seat height) with the DCT or the 790r with a quick shifter. Thoughts? Thx again. ;-)
I'm at the back of the list for the 790R...Might have to choose between Standard Adv 790 or Standard Africa Twin. Which bike would you choose between those for the goal of riding on road mainly to get off-road and occasionally taking a ride with the Mrs? (Mind you I'm 5'10 and my wife is 5'5 and both fairly lean). Oh by the way: I LOVE Your photography! You've taken some of the best MX and SX pics ever! Thx for all your contributions to the dirt bike culture! :-D
Travel isn't the key factor here. And yes, we would pick the 790 over the Triumph 1200 Scrambler any day of the week for adventure riding. The Scrambler is cool, but it doesn't check nearly the number of boxes the 790 does.
It's really not an issue. Of course it can get damaged in a bad enough crash, but so can any fuel tank. This set up is very similar to KTM factory rally bikes and those manage pretty well.
That's definitely going to be a judgement call. At the end of the day crash bars (good crash bars that is) are alway great insurance and they also offer other benefits like mounting points for lighting and bags etc. But are we worried about the tanks in normal offroad tip over situations... not really. I'm sure someone will find an inventive way to damage them just like anything else. But they aren't excessively vulnerable in our opinion.
Nope, it's one tank and needs lifted up to be removed. I know about one company that will be making a split tank for this bike but I don't know yet the price neither the date.
Latest prediction of KTM790R TRUE weight filled with fuel I have much confidence now in saying 490ish lbs . I offer in evidence the following quote from an online Cycleworld magazine article they did called "sportbikes weights and measurements" (i think) ... they showed all their own measurements for each model they had tested "These listings include fuel economy numbers, peak horsepower and torque, and wet and dry weights (Note: Our wet weights are with all fluids and fuel tank full; our dry weights are with an empty fuel tank, but with all fluids present-most manufacturer-listed dry weights in the past were with all "consumables" taken out, which means no fluids whatsoever, no battery, tires, brake pads...obviously an unreasonable and unrealistic measure). ..." Do you still trust KTM? Example of why I do not. For their 990R model KTM claimed a "dry weight" of 456.3 pounds when in fact according to a test of Cycleworld magazine the thing weighed 30llbs more than that without fuel .....with fuel it came in over 519llbs ....(pretty much Africa Twin territory!) SO if we simply assume that KTM is playing the same game with the 790R then simply add 30llbs to their "dry weight" claim of 189kg/ 416.7llbs ...leaving us with 446.7 llbs with not a drop of gas in her. ....right? (side note: that's just a few pounds shy of Yamaha 700 WET weight 205kg/452llbs.) For TOTAL ready to ride for one true weight possibility lets add the weight of the 5.3 gallons of gas it holds ...at 6.3 llbs per gallon that is about another 33.5 llbs giving us a grand total OF? very close to 490llbs. Which to be fair is significantly lighter than the Africa Ton! Or the 519llb ktm 990R! .... but still dismally shy of our expectation this was going to be a "light" machine... Until KTM comes clean Personally I have no problem with manufacturers giving us the motorcycle's ready to ride weight minus fuel ....THAT would be fair ....I mean why should a model be punished for comparison sake to the competition simply because it happens to have higher fuel capacity? I'd prefer this number actually as a more accurate way to compare models ....But since there is no law saying what they have to MEAN by "dry weight" we just can not trust the numbers they give...and KTM lost credibility in this already... sigh ....I guess there needs to be a NEW designation? "Ready to ride weight minus fuel" "RTRMF weight" to completely replace the fraudulent USELESS "dry weight"....But just read the comments! People STILL are not savvy! nd the video presenters apparently are more interested in the sensational than in helping their viewers! Overwhelmingly they wont even respond to the many comments I have made on this subject! Shame on them I say....particularly with adventure bikes the WEIGHT is KEY to the interests of viewers!
We get your point and you may be right. Still making a good number of assumptions though. At the end of the day... if this bike weighs 700 pounds ready to ride, it is still one of the more capable ADV bikes we have ridden offroad and certainly in sand... period. Furthermore, picking this bike up in sand alone did not feel like an Africa Twin or a 1090. We didn't have the time or opportunity to weigh it but we're sure there will be tons of data coming in from all corners of the internet as these start to land in consumers hands around the world.
@@playwme3 oh, lol i thought i was a single cylinder, ya thats real good then i might buy this bike in the future i definitely will test ride it someday
We get your point and there is a use case for those bikes for sure. But this bike can also go chew up thousands of miles/km's of tarmac at 80 or 90 mph (when appropriate) as an ADV without batting an eye. This is not a dualsport. It's an ADV bike. It's an ADV bike with capabilities offroad that get closer to the 690 or 500 than the 1090 does.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE That is why this will replace my DRZ-400. It can't do the freeway slogs to get to new places without wearing me out first. I think Honda should have released a truly dirt capable CB500X. I don't need to be the fastest guy on the freeway, but light weight off road is always appreciated.
If I need forgiveness I go to a priest. From my adv. bike I need excitement and "Wow" factor. 1090R rider here. Yes, the 1090R it's more top heavy but your skills will improve slowly. The bike weight stays the same so does the seat height. Just ride it and you'll tame it.
We love our 1090R as well and will continue to do so. The 790 isn't intended to replace the 1090, it's meant to bring an offering to the table with roots closer to the 950/990.
Michael B nonsense. The off road race bikes need constant work but not the 500 exe and up. Typical response ftom a headline reader. Mine is solid, always has been
Reliability has not been an issue with any of our KTM's over the last 5 years. Lots of KTM's. Pretty much any modern bike from one of the big manufacturers is going to be a good bike. It's a great time to be a motorcyclist. Lot's of great choices.
The 1090 is still fantastic and it will outperform the 790 in many scenarios. But the 790 is considerably different in a positive way in challenging conditions like deep sand. Which where we were riding for the most part. We were on the bike for hours and very impressed and as the title states we gave you an initial impression. We do work closely with KTM (as we do with many OEMs) but they don't buy our opinion.
The 1090 still has 125hp will see the 790 of in most conditions. If it's hard core of road the 690 would leave the 790 too 73hp and 140kg (690) would rip off road.
It's no mystery that KTM supports Upshift by advertising in our magazine. But they don't buy our opinion. If we jeopardize our integrity with our audience we don't have a business. So your comment is ignorant and false.
Good bike crap Rider.... Alsof in beginning of movie other journalists even more worse. Sorry but next time send somebody that is a good Rider and can tell the diff beteren stuff. If you ride like this you can t judge if suspension is working great....to five An example.
We make no claim to be professional riders or anything special. As a matter of fact, we are pretty ordinary riders like a majority of our readers. We were looking to represent that vs. the opinion of a professional rider whose needs and expectations are far different than that of the consumer. Sorry to disappoint.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE you are dead on point. Thanks for a perspective n experience from a regular rider. The pros are a blast to watch but they can make any bike do amazing things. It's something to shot for n get excited about, but doesn't tell us how it will be for us in the beginning. Thanks again n keep rockin
First vid I've seen that reveals what the 790R is about and shows some of the capability of this bike. Good work Upshift...!
Thank you, appreciate you comment.
I was excited to get a Triumph Tiger Sport 800 , but I am only 5'4" 165 CM the low Gas Tank is a total selling point for me. Being as Short as I am I don't need to straddle a massive gas tank .. On my Street Bike I have a Tank bag that is very handy too ..
Once I take a test ride, my 2013 Tiger 800xc (with 53k miles on it - about 20% dirt) “may” start collecting dust in the garage. I’d probably opt for the basic Adventure over the R for road manners, but that rally mode calls to me.
Looks like all the R's and then some are spoken for so the regular version is likely the way to go in terms of availability anyhow.
Thanks so much for the indepth preview, commentary and ride footage - this is squarely on my "add to Harem" list now!
It's really good. The suspension thoroughly surprised us. Now we are patiently waiting for our long term bike to get to know it better.
Thanks for the review! I'm so gald to hear us short guys have a good bike to ride. Can't wait for them to show up in the US. cheers
awesome video mate, the immersion was amazing, I felt like if would be myself there
I so nearly got this bike. Just can’t justify it considering the ratio of on road and off that I will ride. Looks good though.
There are so many great bikes out there right now.
How many recalls will we have in 2019
The backdrop on the opening shot for this is EPIC!
Thank you Trooper Ted... it's a pretty cool spot that's for sure.
Ohhhh decisions decisions can't decide between the 790 r or the 690 enduro r. Damn you KTM to many awesome bikes for 2019🤔
Fantastic work, Simon! Makes me very excited for this entirely new class of bike. Was waiting for you to fall so thanks for that payoff at the end! lol
Great early review Simon and Upshift. Very interesting and close to my wants and needs factors, especially as I have been seriously considering a 1090R as my next bike.
Thank you! Both are incredible. The 1090 is going to be more readily available for a while too.
Ah damnit! I was hoping there would be some negatives. I was pretty happy with my 990SMT, and did a 10,000km trip to the top of Australia on it, but this thing looks like it might give more flexibility and an even better experience for the next ride.
The 990 is an excellent platform no question. The 790 was meant to take a lot of those positives and expand on it with a new design.
Great review! How does that Alpinestars Venture R gear set works out in hot weather? Thanks
There are certainly better vented pieces out there specifically made for hot weather. But the vents it does have are well placed and performed well. Really wasn't terribly uncomfortable.
Nice footage!
Amazing bike but I'm so worried about KTM electronics and reliability. My nearest dealership that can do diagnostics is 3000km away. I think I'll wait for the T7.
@@MrKdr500 I will say I do love KTM but they do still have their issues. I bought 2018 1090r brand new and had to replace a cracked lower radiator hose within 30 miles of purchase. Thought eh you know stuff like that can happen. at 1900 miles the valve cover gaskets blow and I get oil dumping from my bike on the interstate. Shut off immediately and take the bike to get a leakdown test and gaskets replaced. thankfully no ring damage but still 700 dollars to fix. Now at 5200 miles the fork seals need replaced and this is all In the span of 5 months. of 50/50 Road-offroad use. I love the bike but with all maintenance done exactly to spec or by the dealer itself and still running into that many issues is a tough pill to swallow.
@@Phynych why would it cost $700? At those km's it would def have been a warranty claim? Also the fork seals at 5 month would have been a warranty job? Ive had 5 different model KTM's in the past 18 years and have never once had an issue that stopped me riding other than the odd crash offroad through my own fault.
Adam Baker 1100 total cost warranty covered 430 I’m still waiting to see if they will help with the forks
I want this bike so bad my gentleman parts hurt. The only question is, do they make guards for the tank yet? I have looked but can't find any. I think it could be an issue laying the bike down in a rocky area. Not nearly as bad as it could be for an R1200GS but still not pretty. You really need something protecting that tank.
They have a carbon fiber tank shield in the KTM Powerparts which can replace the plastic tank shield at the bottom of the tank on both sides of the bike. However, KTM claims they put the tank in -20 degree C weather and hit it hard with a steel pipe to test it's durability in a crash. The tank survived that test and according to several other accounts the tank on the 790 has survived several hard hits from rocks and tree stumps during crashes in it's development.
That said...I'm sure someone at some point will have a bad enough crash to crack the tank. But at that point, a crash that bad would likely severely damage any bike. I just hope who ever is riding that bike doesn't get hurt too bad.
Hope that helps.
We are sure that crash bars will eventually hit the market for this. But we aren't terribly concerned about the tanks. Not any more than any other tank. KTM has been running this type of configuration on their rally bikes for some time with great success.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE Good to know that. I'm not a rally driver and I'm lucky to stay upright half the time. I suspect KTM has thought this through. They seem to have really done well on all the other bikes and it certainly won't stop me from buying one. I wish it would arrive sooner!
@@Jamby7 Sounds right and it won't put me off. I'm still buying one as soon as they arrive.
Thanks for the great review. Out of curiosity, were you able to pick up the bike all by yourself at the end after the drop?
Yes, it's not a featherweight by any means, but not terrible. There are much worse that we have picked up solo that's for sure.
That’s good to know!
Looks like a lot of fun! Im pretty sure a change in tires would make this much better dunlop d606 or mitas e09 for example. Thos tkc80s u have on wont be grabbing sand as much as more agressive ones. We tried all of the above and found d606 best allround offroad and good onroad also
We kind of had to run what KTM had installed. Yes a more traditional knobby tire would have performed better, but the TKC80 didn't do that badly really.
Nice video! First quality video I've seen of the 790R.
If you wouldn't be comfortable on your 1090R in the dunes, you are not a very good driver. It's not very technical terrain. Of course the 790R is lighter, but the 1090R would be pretty good as well in the sand.
Let's take the bike to trail riding and see what it can do in slow speed stuff!
We're pretty average drivers.
Thanks for the screen saver on the first seconds of the video.
You're welcome!
Great looking bike! Only concern is long term reliability.?
"Own segment?" And 800GS has been around how long? Took them long enough to copy/ try catch up.
Similar segment, vastly different capabilities
Must be joking 191kg vs 189kg. Make sure you don't put anymore than 18ltr of fuel in the KTM or it will be the same. Also it's got 9hp more from the same 800cc. So probably got to rev 1000rpm more to get another 9hp, great for an off road bike. Bmw could have made it 90hp like the f800s/r but it's no race bike so they didn't. Remember the F850gs is 229kg. And has a 15 litre tank. It's almost like bmw moved away from being in competition with KTM
This is definitely not a copy of the F800GS.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE only as much as it's a 800 twin with 2 wheels
Great review! Thanks 👍
Thank you for the kind words!
Good job on the video and great editing @@UPSHIFT_ONLINE
Great bike and awesome review!
Thank you Miguel!
I dont get it, the bike weights 189 kg dry but a 690 enduro or 701 enduro is about 145kg + 5-10kg for a Rally fairing . They say the bike is about lighter weight than the 1090/1190/1290 Adventure. In my opinion it is too heavy and a 701 Enduro/690 Enduro with a kit would be a better Choice for Overlanding.
Single cylinder bikes are not ideal for long distance travel. They just don't hold up to 20K to 30K of roads in addition to offroad use. The paralel twin of 790 gives it the ADV legs some need in a more offroad capable package. The larger KTMs are still great offroad. But the 790 bridges the gap.
Great review!! Thanks for that one!
how protected is the tank from impacts being so low down?????
took the words right from my mouth
We really aren't that concerned with it. If you crash hard enough to rupture the tank, you likely have some significant issue that will outweigh the tank. They have been running tanks like this on their Rally Raid bikes for a long time with tremendous success. And it only be a matter of time before the aftermarket develops crash bars for this bike just like all the other ADV bikes out there.
Great video and showing what the bike can do in the hands of non pro riders. Are those corporate KTM colours you’re wearing?😀
Not quite, but close enough. Got to be thoughtful about all the details you know. ;)
Awesome review! ....what helmet were you using there? (looks cool)
It's the new Alpinestars Carbon SuperTech M10 - www.alpinestars.com/products/mx/helmets/supertech-m10-meta-helmet
Hand held mics are so old school.
Great review! Will a typical 690 Enduro rider be happy with this what it looks like, great bike?
690 is taller with more ground clearance. It’s a lot to lose for all the gizmos.
What’s typical? One is a single, one a twin
Michael B You are right, very difficult to answer. But let's say that the 690 rider use his bike on weekend gravel races, Singel track exploring, Adventureriding like shorter travels, prefferable on gravel but not all days. Have You tried the 790 Adv R Michael?
Thanks for the great video! Because of the last scene I hope you can answer my question: is it easier to pick up, compared to other bikes in the same weight class? I imagine the low tank might help in that matter!
I don't know if riding in a sand Dune is much of a real world test .. Any Motorcycle can ride on a dune with a sand paddle tire..
It's kind of what we had to work with at the time. Hopefully we will have 790 in our long term fleet to start putting miles on in more varied "real world" terrain.
Aren't the BMW F 850 GS and Moto Guzzi V85TT sort of competition?
Sort of. Similar displacement but the layout and overall design is quite a bit different.
The ultimate trail bike!!!
tkc 80 tires?
That is what they installed for this trip.
Perfect adventure bike. Brautiful mashine.
Mine is coming in 2 weeks :) Best bike in that class this year and probably the next.
RexDexPL how do you know? You haven’t got it yet and it’s not been tested against the competition
@@alrightdave6135 Great question. In my case it is based on extrapolation from experience. Every year I look if there's a bike I would like to buy and I'm really opened when it comes to brands. If I'm not sure then I fly somewhere and rent it - it allows me to experience the bike without the financial commitment. In 2018 I rode BWM GS 800 as well as Africa Twin (rentals) for more than 20kkm + I ride my KTM Super Duke daily for commute. I think that at least I can say that I understand the basic principles of the KTM, BMW and Honda bikes and how they apply to my riding style.
I choose that particular bike because I want smaller adventure bike as additional bike to my Super Duke that is heavily modded and serves as a street terror bike ATM. Both AT and GS are heavy and GS850 is in my eyes to expensive for what it offers. Triumphs on the other hand are not very popular where I live and all the local dealers are shitty. I never believed in "one bike to conquer it all" mentality so I didn't want to settle for a compromise in form of an asphalt tourer with spoked wheels (like GS 1200). I wanted something further down the off-road spectrum with lower mass and proper suspension. I previously had CRF250 and DRZ400, lots of fun but they had severe limitations when it comes to how far I can really go with them in a decently convenient way, especially if you are thinking about crossing countries. Initially I was going to get Husqvarna 701 and mod it for adventure riding but then the 790R came out.
I paid for that bike the same day I had a chance to see that model in person at the dealership. After seeing it it was really a no brainier to buy it. Yeah it looks how it looks but all the other pieces are in the right places. It really does answer my core needs about this type of a motorcycle and saves me trouble of modding the 701.
That said, of course there's a few % probability that this bike will be a flop, especially due to technical issues like with some KTMs in the past but it's impossible to really know. I hope that after owning few KTMs I know how to care about them so they keep being reliable but we will see. I'm done waiting for the ideal unicorn bike in the 800 class and at the moment I have more money than time so, yeah KTM 790R it is.
Great review 👏
Thank you!
No mention of the lower suspension compared to the 690. It’s a real deal breaker for me
Well to be fair the 690 is a proper dual sport so it's really in a class of its own.
The 790 isn't meant to replace the 690 in terms of offroad capability or ground clearance. It's meant to offer some of those capabilities in an ADV package. The 1090 and 690 had a baby. The ultimate midsize RTW bike with strong offroad manners.
UPSHIFT ONLINE put like that... I agree completely. Just a shame about that suspension height 🤔
I’ve been riding for around 50 years and even if the bike is set up for it, I still get very freaked out when riding in deep rutted sand; I call it Kegel riding. Great to exercise the pelvic floor, but not really the reason I wanna ride. Anyone know a good video to watch that addresses the issue. Oh, but the way . . . good review!
Quick question: Does this 790 have the 385/75 firing order?
Yeah... sand is daunting at times. Not our favorite on big bikes. We will have to look into the firing order for you.
Sit way back, let the bars move where they want to move, and harden up. Oh and keep your head and eyes up. 👍
Adam Baker: Thanks for taking the time to respond. When you say “sit” do you really mean plunking ass on seat? When I’m riding on loose terrain I’m on the pegs, knees slightly bent and arms in ease/effort mode. Of course my eyes (and head) are always positioned towards the future as well. What I can’t seem to smuggle into the comfort zone is throttle response. I know to keep moving you’ve gotta keep the wheels spinning, but I suspect there’s more to it than pinning the twisty thing; a skill that I just haven’t heard about or unpacked yet.
that orange, nice color for girls ....anyway Tenere 700 ruls on/offroad though ...
Time will tell... they both look to be excellent options.
Nice, fresh and capable. Though, you can do these things with all rivals and even better with an old 640 adv....looks promising
No question the 640 is great, but this twin will be far superior on longer trips and the center of gravity on the 790 is a big win.
Sorry but why are you constantly comparing this bike with the much heavier 1090? What if you don't own or have never ridden a 1090? How about comparing it to the 690 Enduro R probably a closer bike to this or even an EXC 500?
It's actually not in the same class as the 690 and certainly not the 500. This is a twin cylinder ADV bike first and foremost. It is an evolution of the 950/990 and the 1090 in terms of design. Not the single cylinder dualsport bikes. It's not a replacement for the 1090 but it is going to take market share away from it especially with the riders looking for a lower center of gravity and more offroad capability.
Meh, I'm keeping my 990. I'll spend the money on travel costs
Nothing wrong with that. The 990 is an amazing motorcycle.
And me beeing poor I'm looking for a second hand 990
me2 :D ;
Does this bike have a center stand?
Not yet. Being a brand new chasis, it will take a minute for accessories to hit the market. We would imagine that won't take long though.
How it compares with BMW F850GS and rivals?
We haven't had a chance to ride the F850GS yet. It's apples and oranges to the Triumph. It carries its weight much lower, feels a lot more nimble, quicker, etc.
Much more expensive but lighter. On the highway the extra weight of the others could mean more stability.
They said this bike is the only one in its class. That being a lighter, more manageable, 1 up, ultimate adventure bike. And it is. Just hurry up and give me mine.
Well all the other bikes have left the class, all seem too be 229kg+ now not sure what's happening. If it sell well ? The T7 won't be competition either it's going in at the real budget end.
Yeah, i'll wait to get them reports after people have laid 'em down a couple of times ...not in sand :)
'til then: love the looks, specs are not what i wished for but still good, all that electronics ( i'm not convinced) ...sticking to my 1190 'r :)
Thanx Upshift and Simon for great report !
Well bike isn't bad, definitely great, but I really have no WOW effect.
I own Africa Twin, my good friends own F800GS, I really see so minor advantages (OMG it is 5 kilo lighter that last F800GS, OMG it has 10% more power, OMG it has 4 liters of fuel...)
I can only imagine frustration of 1090 owners, who were listening songs from promo videos of 1090 - how good is this bike offroad and that is is much lighter and lower center of gravity from 1190, but apparently it was not - it is heavy, not balanced and lacking all KTM gizmos given to 790 - cornering ABS, TFT, slipper catch, super suspension etc etc. I'm afraid they will run to trade-in their 1090 lake hell :-) What KTM dealers will do with all those 1090 leftovers...
So that are the targets of current KTM line-up on/off road?
I see like that:
690 30/70
790R 50/50
790 60/40
1090 70/30
(??? Really ???)
1290R 80/20
1290S 90/10
Look the specs of Honda Transalp XL600v 1987! 790 hardly reach such a perfect balance that was made 32!!! years ago. WOW KTM, you finally made Transalp, like 1250BMW finally implemented VTEC?
Over. Out.
@Mohameat tic toc Kaboom Wish KTM 790 fully meet your expectations.
For me first reason of buying AT is her look, I'm in love with her look and thanks to Gods of Japan that in addition to great look they gave AT wonderful adventure mc specs.
(I can't imagine my wife sitting behind me on 790 :-) )
So if you had a choice of a bike that weights 10% less than current (top of the range in segment) adventure bikes and has about 10% more power with electronics that actually work made by a company that has been pretty much dominating every off road event including the Dakar for the past 20 years your wouldn't be "wowed" by it? Makes sense. The fact that they improved on the 1090 is a bad choice in your mind? In case you haven't read or heard the 790 was based if consumer requests after having experience with the 1090. They wanted a bike around 800cc with around 100hp and around 180kgs with full electrics. KTM delivered. Over. Out
my transalp xl600v pd10 (1996 made in spain model) has 1,82,000 kms on it. been around the world once. if i get my money back on the sum ive paid to change tires, i could buy the KTM 790 brand new maybe, but i think ill just skip that and buy more tires.
I to own the Africa twin but it is for sale right now. The 790 is a far better bike for 1 up, more dirt style adventure. The weight difference not to mention the lack of fuel in my AT. I also had to carry extra, which to me immediately tells me the bike is not a true adventure bike. The 790 gives better suspension, farther range, metal pegs, knobbies, lower center of weight, blue tooth. Hands down, this bike is far superior to that of a AT or BMW. Unless your just a street touring guy.
@@RealOrbit-Australia it's 189kg without fuel that's not that close too 180kg really
besides a drag race... how is a 1090 better than the 790r?
At the end of the day they are quite different bikes. In this video, it was easy to point out certain specifics of where the 790 is better. We didn't have a ton of time with it. But in time, we will be able to dive deeper into the specifics of how these bikes are different and what we like and don't like.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE i'm looking forward to all the info & comparisons you can give us! 😁👍👏😎
my 31" inseam does not like heavy tall bikes (1090). I've put a deposit down on the 790 but i might not be high enough on the list to get this year's 790. if that's the case I think I'd like the Standard Africa Twin with its lower seat.
But seems like the 790 being 40 to 45lbs lighter, lower c.o.g., fantastic suspenders... makes it a hard pkg to beat! more flickable whether in town, carving canyons or best of all... getting dirty off-road!
It may be better over long distances on the road. Obviously the lighter weight and lower center of gravity make the 790R much better in the conditions that it is being tested in.
Can you compare it to a KTM 690 enduro?
690 enduro r is beautiful. Light. Simple. Powerful and has way better ground clearance than the 790
It's different. The 690 is a big dirtbike with some ADV characteristics. The 790 is an ADV with some dirtbike/rally characteristics. The biggest difference is the parallel twin and the power it generates. Superior on long trips than a thumper. It also has a lot more range. The 690 does have more ground clearance and is going to be able to hit single track and challenging offroad scenarios with more confidence. Apples and Oranges.
News flash: In case you don't have time to watch the video: the 1090 is heavy over weight garbage and lacks the electronic options of the far superior 790. It goes places you could never take a 1090. Like rocky trails and loose sand.
groundbreaking, cool.. now i just to move to a country where l can ride 200 miles off road.
Yeah, although Australia is a long way from most countries, it’s a great country for Adventure riding...offroad everywhere
I'm in the UK most of these Adventure bikes are just a dream really when you see them being used properly
So, do you have anything bad to say about the bike? Clutch? Cable?
Not really... we only had a handful of hours with it. We are sure that when we get one into the fleet and put real time on it, we will be able to speak to certain things in more detail. But for the initial impression, we are quite impressed. The cable clutch really wasn't anything we thought about. Magura has assured us they are working on a hydraulic kit, but it may be a few months.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE :-) it is awful that they stuck a cable clutch on there. It has back light buttons! talk about the wrong priorities. did you have to do any clutch feathering on the technical rides? how did you feel after?
You can't say you were 'only' on it for a handful of hours to defend a lack of negatives, but then a few comments up above say you were on the bike for 'hours' to justify a positive comment. @@UPSHIFT_ONLINE
Connoisseur of the motorcycling world, "There isn't another bike like this"! Expect maybe the BMW F800GS & Adventure for the past 10 years or so, and the F850 now..
This bike rides nothing like an F800GS. Far lower center of gravity and way better suspension. The list goes on. Haven't had the chance to ride the 850 yet though. We have heard it's a significant improvement.
What Is your inseam Simon?
Thanks! And you had an okay time getting your foot down and feeling comfy with the 790? I've got a 31" inseam and between the seat height, weight and the huge tank on the 1090...I felt like a fish out of water on a 1090. Trying to decide between a standard Africa Twin (lower seat height) with the DCT or the 790r with a quick shifter. Thoughts? Thx again. ;-)
Oh, and was the 790 noticeably easier to pick up off the ground on your own vs a 1090 / Africa Twin?
I'm at the back of the list for the 790R...Might have to choose between Standard Adv 790 or Standard Africa Twin. Which bike would you choose between those for the goal of riding on road mainly to get off-road and occasionally taking a ride with the Mrs? (Mind you I'm 5'10 and my wife is 5'5 and both fairly lean).
Oh by the way: I LOVE Your photography! You've taken some of the best MX and SX pics ever! Thx for all your contributions to the dirt bike culture! :-D
Hows the cable clutch?
The bike we had was equipped with the quick shift option and it wasn't really something we noticed.
Great video. I am very interested in this bike but it is already sold out here in Austria and there are no test bikes at dealers to be found.
Yeah, it's pretty popular at the moment.
Better than the triumph scrambler 1200 xe? The KTM has less travel.
Travel isn't the key factor here. And yes, we would pick the 790 over the Triumph 1200 Scrambler any day of the week for adventure riding. The Scrambler is cool, but it doesn't check nearly the number of boxes the 790 does.
How about that tank when it’s falls over??
It's really not an issue. Of course it can get damaged in a bad enough crash, but so can any fuel tank. This set up is very similar to KTM factory rally bikes and those manage pretty well.
UPSHIFT ONLINE Thanks for the reply, so you wouldn’t recommend or think it needs crash bars for some light to intermediate off roading?
That's definitely going to be a judgement call. At the end of the day crash bars (good crash bars that is) are alway great insurance and they also offer other benefits like mounting points for lighting and bags etc. But are we worried about the tanks in normal offroad tip over situations... not really. I'm sure someone will find an inventive way to damage them just like anything else. But they aren't excessively vulnerable in our opinion.
I think crashbars will be essential on this bike whatever happens a fallover will scratch the tanks up even if a leak does not happen.
We fully intend to develop a lot of scratches on this bike.
Thks.
Are the left/right lower fuel tanks quickly "unpluggable" to make maintenance/repairing on the motor?
We will find out the specifics for you!
Nope, it's one tank and needs lifted up to be removed. I know about one company that will be making a split tank for this bike but I don't know yet the price neither the date.
@@dexio85 :(
Latest prediction of KTM790R TRUE weight filled with fuel I have much confidence now in saying 490ish lbs . I offer in evidence the following quote from an online Cycleworld magazine article they did called "sportbikes weights and measurements" (i think) ... they showed all their own measurements for each model they had tested "These listings include fuel economy numbers, peak horsepower and torque, and wet and dry weights (Note: Our wet weights are with all fluids and fuel tank full; our dry weights are with an empty fuel tank, but with all fluids present-most manufacturer-listed dry weights in the past were with all "consumables" taken out, which means no fluids whatsoever, no battery, tires, brake pads...obviously an unreasonable and unrealistic measure). ..." Do you still trust KTM? Example of why I do not. For their 990R model KTM claimed a "dry weight" of 456.3 pounds when in fact according to a test of Cycleworld magazine the thing weighed 30llbs more than that without fuel .....with fuel it came in over 519llbs ....(pretty much Africa Twin territory!)
SO if we simply assume that KTM is playing the same game with the 790R then simply add 30llbs to their "dry weight" claim of 189kg/ 416.7llbs ...leaving us with 446.7 llbs with not a drop of gas in her. ....right? (side note: that's just a few pounds shy of Yamaha 700 WET weight 205kg/452llbs.) For TOTAL ready to ride for one true weight possibility lets add the weight of the 5.3 gallons of gas it holds ...at 6.3 llbs per gallon that is about another 33.5 llbs giving us a grand total OF? very close to 490llbs. Which to be fair is significantly lighter than the Africa Ton! Or the 519llb ktm 990R! .... but still dismally shy of our expectation this was going to be a "light" machine... Until KTM comes clean
Personally I have no problem with manufacturers giving us the motorcycle's ready to ride weight minus fuel ....THAT would be fair ....I mean why should a model be punished for comparison sake to the competition simply because it happens to have higher fuel capacity? I'd prefer this number actually as a more accurate way to compare models ....But since there is no law saying what they have to MEAN by "dry weight" we just can not trust the numbers they give...and KTM lost credibility in this already... sigh ....I guess there needs to be a NEW designation? "Ready to ride weight minus fuel" "RTRMF weight" to completely replace the fraudulent USELESS "dry weight"....But just read the comments! People STILL are not savvy! nd the video presenters apparently are more interested in the sensational than in helping their viewers! Overwhelmingly they wont even respond to the many comments I have made on this subject! Shame on them I say....particularly with adventure bikes the WEIGHT is KEY to the interests of viewers!
We get your point and you may be right. Still making a good number of assumptions though. At the end of the day... if this bike weighs 700 pounds ready to ride, it is still one of the more capable ADV bikes we have ridden offroad and certainly in sand... period. Furthermore, picking this bike up in sand alone did not feel like an Africa Twin or a 1090. We didn't have the time or opportunity to weigh it but we're sure there will be tons of data coming in from all corners of the internet as these start to land in consumers hands around the world.
Why didn't they make a v twin instead of a single cylinder, would have been much better
bill bob , its a parallel twin. Smaller to package than a v-twin to make it more Enduro like.
@@playwme3 oh, lol i thought i was a single cylinder, ya thats real good then i might buy this bike in the future i definitely will test ride it someday
As mentioned, it is a parallel twin. Much more appropriate to longer trips vs and single cylinder.
What’s that boxer engine doing down there? Oh wait it’s a fuel tank...
And it's a good thing. The center of gravity on this bike is a huge plus.
Yes for an SUV it’s not bad. I’ll stick to an actual adventure bike
Like what?
Good video but show the full lift at the end for us real world riders!
As soon as we get our long term bike, we will show plenty of lifting etc. Simon was able to lift it in the sand by himself.
416 lbs dry! Put a big tank on the 500exc, or take the 690...
We get your point and there is a use case for those bikes for sure. But this bike can also go chew up thousands of miles/km's of tarmac at 80 or 90 mph (when appropriate) as an ADV without batting an eye. This is not a dualsport. It's an ADV bike. It's an ADV bike with capabilities offroad that get closer to the 690 or 500 than the 1090 does.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE That is why this will replace my DRZ-400. It can't do the freeway slogs to get to new places without wearing me out first. I think Honda should have released a truly dirt capable CB500X. I don't need to be the fastest guy on the freeway, but light weight off road is always appreciated.
My traction control & aBS is throttle, clutch & brakes, all Controlled by me.
Any news about the 390 ADV?
We haven't heard anything.
I’m waiting for the husqvarna 801 to come out 😂😂😂
Anything is possible.
will Husqvarna come out with a 801 now lol
Stil didn't get it. Why is it so much better than 1090R, if it's only 17 kilo dry weight difference
C.O.G.! WP Xplor!
It carries the weight differently, much lower. It's more forgiving and just handles better offroad.
If I need forgiveness I go to a priest. From my adv. bike I need excitement and "Wow" factor. 1090R rider here. Yes, the 1090R it's more top heavy but your skills will improve slowly. The bike weight stays the same so does the seat height. Just ride it and you'll tame it.
Rade garage has a video of 790 and 1090 next to each other. The 790 is way smaller, so weight will be much lower with more dirt bike feel I'm guessing
We love our 1090R as well and will continue to do so. The 790 isn't intended to replace the 1090, it's meant to bring an offering to the table with roots closer to the 950/990.
I’d still have the 690.
Totally agree
Totally different sectors. I wouldn’t touch a 690 or any KTM with a 10 foot barge pole...too unreliable
Michael B nonsense. The off road race bikes need constant work but not the 500 exe and up. Typical response ftom a headline reader. Mine is solid, always has been
To each his own. The beauty of it is... you have that choice and those choice continue to evolve and improve.
just talking nonsense here, maybe black is not the choice in a Desert ;-) nobody knows the 950/990 we had long time ago!?
WADI
You know it!
Stick another couple of wheels and a roof on it and call it a car
The only time 4 wheels is good is if you have two motorcycles.
It doesn't have its own segment... The Yamaha T7 is exactly this segment.
Basilton the T7 is not out yet ;)
The T7 doesn't exist yet though.
Dear Santa.......
Headlight assembly looks like an afterthought and then there is the KTM reliability issue! My guess it’s probably not worth all the coin.
Reliability has not been an issue with any of our KTM's over the last 5 years. Lots of KTM's. Pretty much any modern bike from one of the big manufacturers is going to be a good bike. It's a great time to be a motorcyclist. Lot's of great choices.
Not so long ago 1090R was the best of the best and now it's not good anymore? LOL gush these paid reviews BS...
The 1090 is still fantastic and it will outperform the 790 in many scenarios. But the 790 is considerably different in a positive way in challenging conditions like deep sand. Which where we were riding for the most part. We were on the bike for hours and very impressed and as the title states we gave you an initial impression. We do work closely with KTM (as we do with many OEMs) but they don't buy our opinion.
The 1090 still has 125hp will see the 790 of in most conditions. If it's hard core of road the 690 would leave the 790 too 73hp and 140kg (690) would rip off road.
There cheaper by the dozen direct from CHINA to your front door.!
Not sure what that means.
Rider aids Do Not make you a better rider! exactly the opposite.....you don't develop your skills when the bike does it for you.
that's the one ugly bike LOL
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder... and stuff like that. ;)
paid advertisement
It's no mystery that KTM supports Upshift by advertising in our magazine. But they don't buy our opinion. If we jeopardize our integrity with our audience we don't have a business. So your comment is ignorant and false.
Good bike crap Rider.... Alsof in beginning of movie other journalists even more worse.
Sorry but next time send somebody that is a good Rider and can tell the diff beteren stuff. If you ride like this you can t judge if suspension is working great....to five An example.
We make no claim to be professional riders or anything special. As a matter of fact, we are pretty ordinary riders like a majority of our readers. We were looking to represent that vs. the opinion of a professional rider whose needs and expectations are far different than that of the consumer. Sorry to disappoint.
@@UPSHIFT_ONLINE you are dead on point. Thanks for a perspective n experience from a regular rider. The pros are a blast to watch but they can make any bike do amazing things. It's something to shot for n get excited about, but doesn't tell us how it will be for us in the beginning. Thanks again n keep rockin
KTM are too unreliable and not a serious contender
We have had a lot of KTM's and reliability has not been an issue.