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/1524627
P100 COMPARISON I 2024 BMW F 900 GS VS. KTM 890 ADVENTURE R Showa units on the BMW are just fine. They absorb sharp- edged rocks and potholes better than the KTM, which had me whining at each photo stop. In much the similar way I picked the Ducati DesertX over the KTM when we tested them last year, I'm going for the BMW on this one. The KTM is too hyper-focused on break - ing whatever records you have in mind and doesn't factor in enough comfort. The market has changed a lot since the 790 came out six years ago, and KTM needs to back off the Ready To Race mindset a touch and create a Ready To Adven - ture mid-size with a degree of comfort and rangier ergos built in. THAT'S A WRAP Based on the evaluations of our two ADV "experts," it's clear that there is no definitive winner between the BMW F 900 GS and KTM 890 Adventure R. One would prefer to see the BMW in his garage at the end of the day while the other the KTM. How - ever, it's evident that both bikes are excellent for both on-road and off-road adventures. If you prefer riding with a preference for pavement, the BMW might be the better choice. It's a terrif - ic street bike that also performs well off-road. On the other hand, if you enjoy more off-road adventures and prefer never to share the roads with Teslas and semi-trucks or stop for fuel very often, the KTM might be the more suitable option for you. The ball is now in your corner. CN 2024 BMW F 900 GS 2024 KTM 890 ADVENTURE R MSRP $18,390 (As tested) $17,059.97 (As tested) ENGINE Parallel-twin Parallel-twin VALVETRAIN 8-valve, DOHC 8-valve, DOHC DISPLACEMENT 895cc 889cc BORE X STROKE 86 x 77mm 68.8 x 90.7mm COOLING SYSTEM Liquid Liquid POWER 105 hp at 8500 rpm 105 hp at 8000 rpm TORQUE 68.6 ft-lb at 8500 rpm 74 lb-ft at 6500 rpm TRANSMISSION 6-speed 6-speed FUEL CAPACITY 3.8 gal. 5.3 gal. CHASSIS Bridge type, steel shell Tubular steel construction FRONT SUSPENSION 45mm Gold Showa 48mm WP XPLOR inverted fork, USD telescopic forks, fully adjustable, fully adjustable with Enduro Pro package REAR SUSPENSION Single, fully adjustable Single, WP Xplor shock, fully adjustable Sachs rear shock with piggyback reservoir, fully adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 9.1 in. 9.4 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 8.5 in. 9.4 in. FRONT BRAKE Brembo 2-piston floating Four-piston radial-mount calipers, caliper, dual 305mm discs, BMW ABS Pro 320mm discs, Cornering ABS REAR BRAKE Single-piston caliper, Single piston caliper, 265mm disc BMW ABS Pro 260mm disc, Cornering ABS FRONT WHEEL Aluminum spoked 2.15 x 21 in. Aluminum spoked 2.50 x 21 in. REAR WHEEL 4.25 x 17 in. 4.50 x 18 in. WHEELBASE 62.6 in. 60.2 in. SEAT HEIGHT 34.2 in. 34.6 in. HEAD ANGLE 28° 26.3° WEIGHT (MEASURED, WET) 498 lbs. 480 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S