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/1527275
P112 RIDE REVIEW I 2024 KTM 790 ADVENTURE The chassis is very familiar to us who have ridden any of the KTM parallel-twin ADV bikes. A KTM-standard steel trellis frame, tubular steel subframe and low-slung fuel tank combine for a confident, low center-of- gravity ride. Rarely do you feel top-heavy on these bikes and the new 790 continues this trend. It also receives the latest facelift and more rally-inspired look from side shrouds up to its larger windscreen. Very nice. Suspension duties are handled by WP's road-focused Apex series with a 43mm non- adjustable fork up front and non-adjustable shock (save for preload steps on a ring) out back. The suspension is more than adequate, with a much higher performing setup than other ADV bikes in this class with non-adjustable suspension (we're looking at you, Honda Transalp). Heck, it's even better than some adjustable goods out there. You will find the limit off-road, but it's close to where you should be slowing down anyway. The 7.9 inches of travel front and back is fine but can be bottomed when things get spicy. On-road, the handling is quite nice for touring and spirited canyon runs. Compared to the tiring, harsh hits the 890 Adventure R deliv - ers on initial bump impacts, the 790's Apex units provide a plush, comfortable ride. Yet, you certainly can't push it off-road like the 890 Adventure R. It's clear the addition of the 2024 KTM 790 Adventure to KTM's lineup opens some doors for the brand. It replaces the "non-R" version of KTM ADV bikes with a much more cost- conscious competitor to damn nearly every- thing in the market. It almost must be consid- ered now that KTM's Adventure series were always priced out of the equation for many. If you're not overly concerned about maximum off-road suspension performance, the new 790 Adventure is even a serious competitor to the 890 Adventure R. From our experience, the build quality, electronics integration, and every other performance fac - tor we can imagine considering the displace- ment difference is identical. CN 2024 KTM 790 ADVENTURE ($10,999) / AS TESTED WITH KTM TECH PACK ($12,259.97) ENGINE Parallel-twin, 4-stroke DISPLACEMENT 799cc VALVETRAIN DOHC, 8-valve BORE X STROKE 88 x 65.7mm COMPRESSION RATIO 12.5:1 FUEL INJECTION Electronic fuel injection system, 46mm throttle bodies, Ride-by-Wire throttle EXHAUST 2-2-1 TRANSMISSION 6-speed CLUTCH Wet cable-operated PASC Slipper clutch CHASSIS Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel trellis frame using the engine as stressed element, powder coated FRONT SUSPENSION 43mm WP Apex fork, preload adjustable, 7.9 in. wheel travel REAR SUSPENSION WP Apex monoshock, preload adjustable, 7.9 in. wheel travel FRONT BRAKE Dual four-piston radial calipers, 320mm discs, Cornering ABS REAR BRAKE Twin-piston caliper, single 260mm disc, Cornering ABS FRONT TIRE 90/90-21 REAR TIRE 150/70-18 RAKE 25.9° WHEELBASE 59.4 in. SEAT HEIGHT 33.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY 5.3 gal WEIGHT (CURB, CLAIMED) 438 lbs. S P E C I F I C AT I O N S