P90
RIDE REVIEW I YAMAHA TENERE 700 VS KTM 890 ADVENTURE R
I
distinctly remember running
into my dad's truck numer-
ous times on my JR50, my
first motorcycle. Since then,
I've moved away from hitting
stationary objects (mostly)
with bikes and onto the trails
and tracks and backroads
of the world. I've ridden off-
road my entire life, discov-
ered competitive motocross
in my early 20s and have
subsequently dedicated my
career to the motorcycle
industry. As a member of the
media, I've evaluated off-
road, MX and ADV machinery
around the world, and raced
as much as possible along
the way. From California
track days to Rocky Moun-
tain single-track trips, I've
tried to do it all. ADV bikes
are all-access machines,
and I've tested or owned
just about every one avail-
able in recent history. From
BMW's rowdy HP2 and KTM's
hefty 950 Super Enduro to
Harley-Davidson's surprising
Pan America, I can't think
of an ADV machine I haven't
ridden.
This is a comparison that
everyone wants, but nobody
really needs. The results are
in on the dealership floor
before you roll into the dirt
(hopefully that's where you're
riding these bikes). Why?
Because these bikes are in
completely different leagues
and the prices/specs reflect
that, rather obviously.
Still, they are considered
very closely as the top two
choices for many a midsize
ADV buyer. So, here's the
Ziegler truth about what is up
with these two whips.
First, the KTM is a pre-
mium offering, and its price
shows that. For the extra
approximately $5k, you get
upgrades everywhere. From
the information display to the
engine performance, suspen-
sion capabilities, brakes,
quickshifter and more, you
can easily justify the KTM
purchase as "you get what
you pay for." And it's true.
The bike is fantastic at be-
ing an ADV assault weapon.
Rally mode gives you mas-
sive tunability into electronic
aids that make them hard to
JESSE ZIEGLER
AGE: 44
HEIGHT: 5' 10"
WEIGHT: 180 LBS.
For the price, the Yamaha Tenere 700
is hard to beat. It is a tremendous value.
But, if you truly want the best mid-weight
ADV bike, the KTM 890 is worth it.
It is a fantastic motorcycle.
