Was going to buy one of these, but it was too heavey for me so went for the KTM 390 Adventure. After a few mods its working out great. Good off or on road with the bonus of light weight!
Great review, very in-depth. I had a 2021 890 Adventure R and while I loved it, the bike just wasn't perfect for me and my riding needs. There's no question that it's the best off-road weapon in the middle-weight class, but where it falls short (as do most others in this class) is it's on-road wind protection. This isn't easily remedied with a new windscreen either, it's just inherent of it's design, it simply has a lot of dirty air at speed. Where I live and ride there's always 1-2+ hours of slab time (at 70+ mph) just to get to dirt roads and trails and therefor proper on-road wind protection and on-road comfort are extremely important factors. The power and performance of this bike are top tier, it's simply a beast off-road and the low fuel tanks make for excellent balance and handling both on and off-road. While I have had many trouble free KTM's over the years and still own a few of their enduro models, this particular bike has a few issues, one of which is a major concern. I have considered picking up another one but the cam issues are becoming alarming and that alone is reason enough to keep me from buying another one. Hopefully they can figure that out and they step up and do right by the owners and fix any issues free of charge even if out of warranty. That said, I wouldn't hold my breath on that lol.
My buddies and I tried the Puig and it’s ok but someone really needs to make a clip in that goes up higher for freeway. I’m currently using a larger one I found on Amazon that was 18 bucks. Not great quality but best buffeting eliminator I’ve found so far
Very thorough review Thank you. ...BUT I'm still sitting on the fence, because I want to know if their are gremlins deep within that have yet to be discovered on the new 2024 model...what are the known problems if any on the new model 890?
The windshield sux on the freeway and buffeting is bad. An adjustable clip on is almost mandatory as it needs to be lowered all the way off-road since the windshield can easily hit you in the neck going up a step hill and hitting a deep rut. Speaking from experience
Thank you for this review, the best I never see. I m agree with, you about how to choose a good adventure for you r personal need. And this winter I order the 790 2024, supposed to receive soon ( March or April) .
Offering options that dissappear after 1500 is something that will keep me from considering this bike. Drive by wire without cruise is something that keeps me from considering other bikes, but in the end, it's not offered, so I will probably get the 800RE or DE.
@@trd4d look, of course you can pretend you live on the moon and don’t know, but there isn’t a single vehicle (and I’m including bicycles here) that doesn’t come with a list of “optionals”, especially regarding electronics, which can easily add zillions to the price. KTM gives you the chance to try for free before buying or not something which after all is quite cheap, and that enrages you??! 🤷♂️ bah
So I understand the rage towards this methodology by KTM. But the other way of looking at it, is something like Cruise Control is now quite inexpensive to add. If you were to add it to other bikes, you'd still pay extra. If they had charged a few hundred bucks more off the top and given you standard cruise control, you, and most other riders would have praised KTM's decision to include it at all on a bike in this class. It's an odd structure that other manufacturers are paying attention to, but at the end of the day, it still allows you to equip a bike exactly as you would want, for a reasonable price.
Thank you@@PeterLoweOne. I honestly fail to understand it, and find it daft: so if you’re asked to purchase the option without testing when you order the bike (as I did at the time), then you’re happy. If instead you’re given a free trial period to make up your mind and decide whether to purchase or not, then you’d “never consider buying” the bike 🤷♂️. Defies logic, doesn’t it… most of the software we buy comes with trial periods, by now it ought to be quite an established practice… Edit: at the end of the day, if the trial expiring annoys one so much, they could just get the option disactivated at delivery, or pay for it when ordering, so it wouldn’t have to expire after 1500km and the experience would be like with any other manufacturer…
@@PeterLoweOne offroad and ADV bikes are already so top heavy, tall and tippy. Lowing the weight helps offset that issue. KLR and Tenere are clear examples.
I like these sort of bikes but stay away from them purely because of my size as I find unless you’re six foot tall you can’t sit on them properly, I like a bike that I can plant both my feet on the ground it’s just a confidence thing I suppose but love this bike but not for me.
The 790 is a better mix. And what I mean by 90% isn't so much time as mileage. A lot of people will do a trip where they spend 50/50 time off road, but spend hours in a major highway to get to the location which can skew mileage in favour of more road riding compared to the time you spend on and off road.
it's certainly an offroad weapon but don't underestimate it's onroad performance! the perfect 50 : 50 sweet spot i'd rather say! the motor and the suspension is a blast!
The 790 two piece heated seat fits this bike and this bike is pre wired with built in screen software to control the heated seat.
I have one
Was going to buy one of these, but it was too heavey for me so went for the KTM 390 Adventure. After a few mods its working out great. Good off or on road with the bonus of light weight!
Great review, very in-depth. I had a 2021 890 Adventure R and while I loved it, the bike just wasn't perfect for me and my riding needs. There's no question that it's the best off-road weapon in the middle-weight class, but where it falls short (as do most others in this class) is it's on-road wind protection. This isn't easily remedied with a new windscreen either, it's just inherent of it's design, it simply has a lot of dirty air at speed. Where I live and ride there's always 1-2+ hours of slab time (at 70+ mph) just to get to dirt roads and trails and therefor proper on-road wind protection and on-road comfort are extremely important factors.
The power and performance of this bike are top tier, it's simply a beast off-road and the low fuel tanks make for excellent balance and handling both on and off-road. While I have had many trouble free KTM's over the years and still own a few of their enduro models, this particular bike has a few issues, one of which is a major concern. I have considered picking up another one but the cam issues are becoming alarming and that alone is reason enough to keep me from buying another one. Hopefully they can figure that out and they step up and do right by the owners and fix any issues free of charge even if out of warranty. That said, I wouldn't hold my breath on that lol.
are these bikes reliable? im seeing some camshaft issues with some electrical issues. hows the bike doing? 890 R owners feedbacks?
My buddies and I tried the Puig and it’s ok but someone really needs to make a clip in that goes up higher for freeway. I’m currently using a larger one I found on Amazon that was 18 bucks. Not great quality but best buffeting eliminator I’ve found so far
Best detailed review on the 890 adventure r ever,thank you
Thanks for watching!
Very thorough review Thank you. ...BUT I'm still sitting on the fence, because I want to know if their are gremlins deep within that have yet to be discovered on the new 2024 model...what are the known problems if any on the new model 890?
The windshield sux on the freeway and buffeting is bad. An adjustable clip on is almost mandatory as it needs to be lowered all the way off-road since the windshield can easily hit you in the neck going up a step hill and hitting a deep rut. Speaking from experience
Nice review of this KTM. Nice adventure bike, thanks!
Does it automatically adapt to lower octane with a knock sensor? Or do you have to change something manually? Best 890 adv I have seen thanks
It can adapt
Any changes from 23 890r to 24 890r?
Would the 1290 SAS be ok on gravel, fire roads or forest service roads while avoiding trails, single tracks or riding over logs?
It would be. It doesn't have the best tires for off-road, so it will come to your comfort with those surfaces.
@@PeterLoweOne that’s where my first bike comes in… research platform… 2023 KLR 650 S👍
Thank you for this review, the best I never see. I m agree with, you about how to choose a good adventure for you r personal need. And this winter I order the 790 2024, supposed to receive soon ( March or April) .
I love that 790! I wish it had adjustable suspension. For me that would make it perfect!
What a wonderful and useful review, thank you.
Thanks so much for your kind words! I appreciate it. Feel free to subscribe!
The "tubeless" rim on mine keeps leaking out the sookes. Annoying.
Offering options that dissappear after 1500 is something that will keep me from considering this bike. Drive by wire without cruise is something that keeps me from considering other bikes, but in the end, it's not offered, so I will probably get the 800RE or DE.
So buy one where the options can’t be had 😂😂😂 what an idea…
@@miro_sit’s already available for the Honda, and will be soon for the Suzuki
@@trd4d look, of course you can pretend you live on the moon and don’t know, but there isn’t a single vehicle (and I’m including bicycles here) that doesn’t come with a list of “optionals”, especially regarding electronics, which can easily add zillions to the price. KTM gives you the chance to try for free before buying or not something which after all is quite cheap, and that enrages you??! 🤷♂️ bah
So I understand the rage towards this methodology by KTM. But the other way of looking at it, is something like Cruise Control is now quite inexpensive to add. If you were to add it to other bikes, you'd still pay extra. If they had charged a few hundred bucks more off the top and given you standard cruise control, you, and most other riders would have praised KTM's decision to include it at all on a bike in this class. It's an odd structure that other manufacturers are paying attention to, but at the end of the day, it still allows you to equip a bike exactly as you would want, for a reasonable price.
Thank you@@PeterLoweOne. I honestly fail to understand it, and find it daft: so if you’re asked to purchase the option without testing when you order the bike (as I did at the time), then you’re happy. If instead you’re given a free trial period to make up your mind and decide whether to purchase or not, then you’d “never consider buying” the bike 🤷♂️. Defies logic, doesn’t it… most of the software we buy comes with trial periods, by now it ought to be quite an established practice…
Edit: at the end of the day, if the trial expiring annoys one so much, they could just get the option disactivated at delivery, or pay for it when ordering, so it wouldn’t have to expire after 1500km and the experience would be like with any other manufacturer…
I;m surprised more manufacturers are not taking up this design queue of low fuel tanks.
Some people complain about the looks. They don't bother me at all. I agree with you.
@@PeterLoweOne offroad and ADV bikes are already so top heavy, tall and tippy. Lowing the weight helps offset that issue. KLR and Tenere are clear examples.
Hi Peter from the UK 😅
I like these sort of bikes but stay away from them purely because of my size as I find unless you’re six foot tall you can’t sit on them properly, I like a bike that I can plant both my feet on the ground it’s just a confidence thing I suppose but love this bike but not for me.
If you're spending 90% of your time on the road, this is not the bike for you. This bike is for people who spend 90% of there time offroad.
The 790 is a better mix. And what I mean by 90% isn't so much time as mileage. A lot of people will do a trip where they spend 50/50 time off road, but spend hours in a major highway to get to the location which can skew mileage in favour of more road riding compared to the time you spend on and off road.
it's certainly an offroad weapon but don't underestimate it's onroad performance! the perfect 50 : 50 sweet spot i'd rather say! the motor and the suspension is a blast!
How about letting people buy what they want without being all judgmental.🤷🏻♂️
The 890R is tremendous on the road. I ride wherever I want to. It’s a fantastic 1 bike bike.
Its "Riding"...Not Driving. its "riding down the road" not driving down the road