2021 KTM 890 ADVENTURE R
R I D E R E V I E W
P100
THE KTM
ADVENTURE
METHOD
BY JESSE ZIEGLER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIT PALMER
W
ith a new bike test, we usually go through all the
newness, specs, dimensions, etc. That's pretty
boring. So, here's how and why this bike actu-
ally works, first. If you want to know all that is inside the
new KTM 890 Adventure R, look ahead for the "What's
New" and "What's It All Cost" sidebars.
Is This That Rally Thing?
It's hard to believe there's a version of KTM's 890 Adven-
ture R that's more capable off-road. But there is. There's
the KTM 890 Adventure R Rally. It's bananas, because
the list of things the standard "R" bike does is damn
impressive. Even KTM admits their adventure bikes are
basically big dirt bikes. Gone are the marketing messages
about world travel comfort we see on their 1290 versions.
Here, the bike is labeled, "The Most Travel-Capable Off-
Road Bike." So, yeah, we're testing it off-road the most.
Yes, the "Rally" version comes with tasty WP Pro Com-
ponentry and svelte wheels for the most nimble and dirty
bike-like experience you can have on a full-size ADV
weapon. But, unless you're one of 700-ish lucky souls in
the world that got one of these special editions, you're
stuck with the stocker as tested here. And that's definitely
okay. Besides, buying those trick pieces on the open mar-
IS KTM'S
NEW 890
ADVENTURE R
TOO MUCH
OF A GOOD
THING? NOT
IN THIS
CASE.
