This is exactly the review I was looking for, thanks! Please post a longer term review in the future. I'm 62, retiring next month, and moving from a 1290 SAS down to an 890 R for exploring and BDR usage.
Thanks for the comment! I will definitely make another video as I get more miles on it. I think the 890 would be an excellent BDR bike. I have already taken it on sections of the Minnesota Recon Route (like a BDR). im very happy with it so far. Ride safe
I own a T7 and a Northern 901. I love them both, but don’t trust the Norton as much as the T7; Turn signal issue and failed throttle body (at 1888 miles ) on the Norton early. I Have over 15,000 miles on it now and really enjoy riding it. It has some features I wish the T7 had-cruise control, tubeless tires, and 5 gallon fuel tank. It carries the weight low so it’s easy to ride off road and is definitely easier to pick up than the Yamaha after a drop. That being said, my T7 looks awesome, is fun to ride, and is dead reliable; Only issues in 28,000 miles are a cracked side, stand, safety switch and seized rear wheel bearing which I knew was bad and just dragged my feet on replacing until it failed. Can’t beat the T7 for value. I’ll never own anything INSTEAD of a T7, only IN ADDITION TO a T7.
Thanks for the comment! I agree! The T7 is engineered very well and is basically bombproof! The Japanese reliability is well proven. I also get features and excitement from the Austrian brands, which keep me coming back. I suppose we'll just have to own both! 😂
I’ve been riding the Norden mostly because it’s still under the original 2 year warranty; I want to pile on the miles to see if I will have the dreaded camshaft issue of these engines. At least it sounds like KTM is starting to step up and fix the bad ones under warranty…..
@TerrySylvester-ip9on Yes, i heard that as well. KTM is doing the right thing now, I just wish it would have been more voluntary. It sounds like your Norden has been solid after the early issue. Let's hope it keeps ripping!
Yes, I forgot to mention that on the walkaround. I usually put one on most, if not all, of my bikes. I really like the seat concepts seats. Very comfortable after some use. Thanks for the comment! Ride safe
I feel better now that KTM announced they will repair any of the cam issues regardless of milage or warranty and will reimburse anyone who has already repaired that issue. They should have done this right away, but I do feel better they stepped up. Mine has been good so far, although it still has low milage. That said, it's the funnest bike i have owned, and I've owned many. Thanks for the comment! Ride safe
My dealer said no, the ECU will compensate for that. I also inspected the spark plugs at about 1750 miles, and they looked good. Light tan color. Indicating the fuel/air mixture is not too lean. I would always recommend you do your own research, though. Thanks for the comment!
I love the aesthetic of the 890 but I just worry about the reliability. That could very well be misplaced worry, but I just don’t need potential bike drama lol
I share your concerns! I have put on another thousand miles since the video, so a total of three thousand miles now. I had a cold start low idle for a few seconds once in a while, fixed that by adding 2 gallons of 87 octane to 3 gallons of 91, and hasn't done it since. Now straight premium. The bike is amazing! I also feel better that KTM is now owning any camshaft problems regardless of miles, although 2023 was supposedly not one of the problem years. Thanks for the comment, I hope this helps
It is an Arrow cat delete mid pipe. It is available from Revzilla for $287.00 US and other places. Cooler, lighter, sounds great. I love it. Hope this helps
😂 After 35 years of marriage my wife quit asking silly questions like that 😂. I’m within a few years of retiring also and I’m telling her I need to start buying all the bikes I want because after I retire I won’t be able to afford new bikes 😂😂.
I do too. They stay at two different locations. KTM closer to KTM dealer. T7 at home where the terrain is much softer and Yamaha dealer is close. Having service close is the key issue to me. Never again will I have to take a bike 2-3 hours to a shop. Been there. Done that. Have that merit badge.
This is exactly the review I was looking for, thanks! Please post a longer term review in the future. I'm 62, retiring next month, and moving from a 1290 SAS down to an 890 R for exploring and BDR usage.
Thanks for the comment!
I will definitely make another video as I get more miles on it.
I think the 890 would be an excellent BDR bike.
I have already taken it on sections of the Minnesota Recon Route (like a BDR). im very happy with it so far.
Ride safe
BTW, I'm 59, and 62 is my target retirement age as well.
I'm jealous!
I own a T7 and a Northern 901. I love them both, but don’t trust the Norton as much as the T7; Turn signal issue and failed throttle body (at 1888 miles ) on the Norton early. I Have over 15,000 miles on it now and really enjoy riding it. It has some features I wish the T7 had-cruise control, tubeless tires, and 5 gallon fuel tank. It carries the weight low so it’s easy to ride off road and is definitely easier to pick up than the Yamaha after a drop. That being said, my T7 looks awesome, is fun to ride, and is dead reliable; Only issues in 28,000 miles are a cracked side, stand, safety switch and seized rear wheel bearing which I knew was bad and just dragged my feet on replacing until it failed. Can’t beat the T7 for value. I’ll never own anything INSTEAD of a T7, only IN ADDITION TO a T7.
Thanks for the comment!
I agree! The T7 is engineered very well and is basically bombproof!
The Japanese reliability is well proven.
I also get features and excitement from the Austrian brands, which keep me coming back.
I suppose we'll just have to own both! 😂
I’ve been riding the Norden mostly because it’s still under the original 2 year warranty; I want to pile on the miles to see if I will have the dreaded camshaft issue of these engines. At least it sounds like KTM is starting to step up and fix the bad ones under warranty…..
@TerrySylvester-ip9on
Yes, i heard that as well.
KTM is doing the right thing now, I just wish it would have been more voluntary.
It sounds like your Norden has been solid after the early issue.
Let's hope it keeps ripping!
FYI you also have a Seat Concepts upgraded seat. I'm 61, traded an old 690 Enduro R for this exact bike. Very happy.
Yes, I forgot to mention that on the walkaround.
I usually put one on most, if not all, of my bikes. I really like the seat concepts seats. Very comfortable after some use.
Thanks for the comment!
Ride safe
How about the reliability concerns... cam issues??
I feel better now that KTM announced they will repair any of the cam issues regardless of milage or warranty and will reimburse anyone who has already repaired that issue.
They should have done this right away, but I do feel better they stepped up.
Mine has been good so far, although it still has low milage.
That said, it's the funnest bike i have owned, and I've owned many.
Thanks for the comment!
Ride safe
I agree it is the funnest bike period. And have no worries either. Dealer stands behind them.
Is it required to do ecu flash after installing the decat pipe? Thanks
My dealer said no, the ECU will compensate for that.
I also inspected the spark plugs at about 1750 miles, and they looked good. Light tan color. Indicating the fuel/air mixture is not too lean.
I would always recommend you do your own research, though.
Thanks for the comment!
I did not on my 23 and it runs great.
I love the aesthetic of the 890 but I just worry about the reliability. That could very well be misplaced worry, but I just don’t need potential bike drama lol
I share your concerns!
I have put on another thousand miles since the video, so a total of three thousand miles now.
I had a cold start low idle for a few seconds once in a while, fixed that by adding 2 gallons of 87 octane to 3 gallons of 91, and hasn't done it since. Now straight premium.
The bike is amazing!
I also feel better that KTM is now owning any camshaft problems regardless of miles, although 2023 was supposedly not one of the problem years.
Thanks for the comment, I hope this helps
Mine will do the cold half start. I toggle switch twice at initial fuel prime before cranking and problem is no longer had.
What’s the name of the catalytic on the bike?
It is an Arrow cat delete mid pipe. It is available from Revzilla for $287.00 US and other places.
Cooler, lighter, sounds great.
I love it.
Hope this helps
why would you want both
That's exactly what my wife said 😅.
I was actually looking for a step up in power and suspension.
The T7 was an excellent bike too.
😂 After 35 years of marriage my wife quit asking silly questions like that 😂. I’m within a few years of retiring also and I’m telling her I need to start buying all the bikes I want because after I retire I won’t be able to afford new bikes 😂😂.
My thoughts exactly! 😂
You have chosen wisely!
Because he can🤣I own 3 bikes..different experience with each bike👍and different types of riding
I do too. They stay at two different locations. KTM closer to KTM dealer. T7 at home where the terrain is much softer and Yamaha dealer is close. Having service close is the key issue to me. Never again will I have to take a bike 2-3 hours to a shop. Been there. Done that. Have that merit badge.