Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1488797
COMPARISON TEST I DUCATI DESERTX VS. KTM 890 ADVENTURE R P28 of use with the electronics. The phone-style dash can be a pain to navigate, and it's more dif- ficult to find and adjust the areas you want than the KTM. KTM has kept the same dash for five years now and although, yes, we're now used to it, the simple fact is everything is just easier to navigate and adjust. That being said, it's unlikely you're going to require more than two individual preset maps on either bike—one for the road, one for the street—but the KTM's ease of electronics use was still a win over the Ducati. WHICH ONE IS BEST? The answer to that is very much up to the individu- al and what you want out of your adventure riding. I've got to be honest and say I was so im- pressed by the Ducati against the established star of the field in the KTM that—I can't believe I'm say- ing this—I would take the Ducati for my personal bike if I were given the choice. The combination of a rangy ride position, excel- lent stability thanks to the extended wheelbase over the KTM, that lovely engine (although not as nice as the KTM) and the fact I could (if I really wanted) put a couple of extra gallons on the back makes for a very persuasive argument, regardless of the cost. I also think it looks way prettier. I'm shallow, looks matter. The KTM is indeed a sharper tool than the Ducati, which is absolutely undeniable. The racier suspension setup, low-slung fuel tank and the tighter confines of the cockpit suit a more aggres- sive rider than me, hence the reason Jesse is such a convert. Unlike the hyper naked bike class, where everything is so damn fast, it only really matters what color you like your bike, the middleweight ADV sector represents very personal choices for the rider. For me personally, that makes the Ducati the winner. For Jesse, it's the KTM. Horses for courses… CN 2022 KTM 890 ADVENTURE R ($14,199) ENGINE: Parallel twin VALVETRAIN DOHC, 8 valves DISPLACEMENT: 889cc BORE X STROKE: 90.7 x 68.8mm HORSEPOWER (CLAIMED): 100 hp TORQUE: (CLAIMED): 74 ft-lbs. COOLING SYSTEM: Liquid FUEL SYSTEM: EFI Dell'orto w/46mm throttle body TRANSMISSION: 6-Speed FRAME: Chromoly Tubular steel trellis FRONT SUSPENSION: WP Xplor, fully adjustable REAR SUSPENSION: WP Xplor, single shock, fully adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: 9.4 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: 9.4 in. FRONT BRAKE: Radially mounted 4-piston calipers, dual 320mm discs w/ABS REAR BRAKE: 2-piston floating caliper, 260mm disc, w/ABS FRONT TIRE: Continental TKC 90/90R-21 in. REAR TIRE: Continental TKC 150/70R-18 in. RAKE: 26.3/26.2° WHEELBASE: 60.2 in. SEAT HEIGHT: 34.6 in. FUEL CAPACITY: 5.3 gal. WEIGHT (DRY, CLAIMED): 432 lbs. SPECIFICATIONS