VOLUME 58 ISSUE 12 MARCH 23, 2021 P105
ing in all terrain and continues
to serve as the benchmark
for motorcycle handling in the
full-size ADV world. This goes
for whatever engine size is
slapped in the frame. Once
you step on the pegs and
set off, you will feel the bike
working very, very well. The
difference between how the
KTM 890 Adventure R handles
and other bikes in this class is
substantial.
If you take a look at any
competitive rally racing motor-
cycle from any manufacturer,
you can clearly see a trend of
holding fuel down low. Their
two-sided tanks bulge at the
bottom, creating volume as low
as possible for fully fueled full-
throttle floggings through timed
sections across Saudi Arabia.
This weight distribution is vital
for handling performance.
Carrying fuel is a necessity, so
why not make it as comfortable
as possible when things get
uncomfortable and use it to
improve handling? Tesla cars
don't have the batteries on the
roof for a reason.
KTM embraced this with the
launch of the 790 lineup and
took inspiration straight from
their employed racing lunatics
competing in the Dakar Rally.
They knew if they could get the
fuel range on this bike to not
hinder the handling, they would
be on the way to winning, and
they did. If you can get 200-
plus miles of range and not feel
it, you're doing fine. KTM is
doing fine.
The tank doesn't look that
sexy with the headlight fairing
gap just sort of hanging out
there, but they work brilliantly.
The Computers
Have Taken Over
The boo-birds of rider aids on
motorcycles are almost out of
breath. And the KTM 890 Ad-
venture R is here to suffocate
the last notes from the ADV
world. KTM's updated Corner-
ing Motorcycle Traction Control
is a better version of a great
system. It's improved reaction
time in calculating mitigation is
clean and effective. It has sep-
arated wheel slip and vehicle
pitch sensing into independent
controllers, spreading the work
to more workers, as it were.
Without cutting ignition,
KTM's MCT intervenes at the
throttle bodies in a more natu-
ral way to limit rear- wheel slip
(by closing the throttle) and has
been fine tuned to be nearly
unnoticeable. Rally Mode (in-
stalled as optional equipment
as tested) provides nine select-
able levels of slip allowance
with nine being the mellowest.
It's the way to ride this bike off-
road as it also allows for more
(Top) You want dirt
trenching power that is
totally controllable?
(Above) The WP Xact PDS
shock is works in harmony
with the 890 R's Xplor fork.
Here it is. (Left) With the
Adventure R, you don't have
to be afraid of getting air
anymore. Well, at least the
isn't afraid of them.
