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
P90 COMPARISON I 2024 BMW F 900 GS VS. KTM 890 ADVENTURE R Still going, we got the Enduro Pack- age Pro for another $1495, which includes the larger 45mm fully adjust- able Showa fork and fully adjustable Sachs/ZF shock, the Intelligent Emer- gency Call for another $345, and the Metzeler Karoo 4 off-road rubber for $65 (the Karoo's actually cost around $260 for a set, but if you get them from BMW as part of the Enduro Pack - age Pro, they'll only cost $65. All up, our test bike will set you back $18,390. Now for the KTM. The base price for the 2024 KTM 890 Adventure R is a touch more than Engine-wise, the two are now a lot closer than they were in the past. Both run the same parallel-twin configuration, but the BMW tips the capacity scales at 895cc compared to the KTM's 889cc. They sound quite different, too, with the BMW run - ning a 90-degree crankpin offset and 270/450° firing interval compared to the 75° crankpin offset with 435° firing interval of the KTM, giving the Austrian steed a meatier, rougher sound, like a V-twin. BMW and KTM claim the same horsepower at 105, although the KTM's peak comes in 500 rpm sooner than the BMW at 8000 rpm. Torque for the BMW is a claimed 68.8 lb-ft at 8500 rpm, while the KTM rolls with slightly more at 74 lb-ft delivered much earlier at 6500 rpm. NOW FOR THE ADD-ONS It's nearly impossible to buy a BMW from the dealer without at least some form of electronic accessory add- on; the same is true for KTM. This is where things begin to split between the two bikes. First, the BMW. As a base price, the BMW comes in at $14,190, but this is a fair way off what we tested. BMW gave us the full treatment for the GS test bike, lacing it with the GS Trophy red, white and blue paint job, gold spoked wheels and enduro handguards. That added $545 to the sticker price. Then, we got the Premium Package at $1750, which included the M Endur - ance Chain, Keyless Ride, GPS Prepa- ration, Tire Pressure Monitor, Cruise Control, Gear Shift Assist Pro, and Ride Modes Pro, which added the Dynamic, Enduro, and Enduro Pro throttle modes, plus Engine Drag Torque Control. (Top) The KTM's dash hasn't changed for years and that's a good thing because it's so easy to navigate. (Bottom) BMW's dash is shared across almost all its current lineup but takes a bit to get used to. There's lots of info in there.