2018 KTM 790 Adventure

Function follows form ;)

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I know you love your 640 Tim,
I’ve built 2 and took one to Spain and back.
Also had a 690 for a while,
I don’t think I’ll be buying anything else orange for a while(unless I can get hold of a 950se for a pittance)
I must admit,I thought the 790 might be the one for me,but given the residual values on 2nd gen 701 models I feel sure it will be a while before I try dipping my toe.:D
 
Unlike BMW's marketing strategy for the twin cylinder F6xx/F7xx/F8xxGS bikes, the two 790 Adventure models are exactly the same in engine mapping, engine performance, gearing and wheel types.

There are no factory-fitted KTM options, everything is retrofitted at dealers.

The windshield, seat and front mudguard are different on the two models but if you so desire you can buy the part from the other model and swap it in (windshield is £70-80, seat is £120 and mudguard is £60). Ditto the different shaped mirrors and the different coloured hand guards.

The tubeless tyres are different brands, but my dealer is doing a free-of-charge swap of the 90-10 Avon Trailrider tyres from my 'non-R' for a set of 50-50 Karoo 3 tyres from the 'R'.

The 'R' has an advanced Rally Mode option but you can add that to the 'non-R' model, either at the time of purchase or later.

So the ONLY permanent difference between the two bikes is the suspension; the 'non-R' has shorter, non-adjustable suspension and the 'R' has higher, adjustable suspension. And of course this affects the ground clearance and seat height.

Dakar rider Chris Birch describes the bike as a modern take on the old KTM 950 Super Enduro, but "with a lower seat height, all the electronics and good fuel range." The general opinion amongst test riders is that KTM has created a new category of adventure bikes and that even the standard 'non-R' model is superior off-tarmac to the Triumph Tiger 800 tiger, the BMW F850 GS and the Honda Africa Twin. On-tarmac might be a different story, so await road tests with more insight.

The 'non-R' is likely to be the better adventure tourer. Obviously someone over 1.85m (6') might go for the 'R' together with the optional higher seat purely for the legroom, but it seems there's a lot of shorter people out there who are planning to buy the 'R' even though the bike won't actually get to see the rough stuff that the suspension is intended for.

I've been following the reports from the press launch last week in the Erfoud/Merzouga area and the video linked below is the best I've seen with a lot of 'insider insights'.

 
Got that plate for my 1190. Very handy if you need to carry a bag, and quick to swap out for the top box adaptor.
 
Anyone had Dealings with SMC in Sheffield, they are the nearest KTM dealers to me, will be having a demo on a none R bike, 180kg sounds good to me
 
Found a large loose rock and the bike coped amazingly well.....


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Obviously I didn’t ride over the rock.....:-)

So you went around it then ;)

RTQ=1/2 FA !!

Meanwhile , if any of you boys with a new 790 want an Akra for a good price , my dealer has a spare at a good price as he got sent one too many .

PM for more info .
 
That looks like it should be a good bike to work on. Wonder if it will compare with the AT with eight hours labour to check the valve clearances.
 
That looks like it should be a good bike to work on. Wonder if it will compare with the AT with eight hours labour to check the valve clearances.

:eek

The 1*90 valve check doesn't take anything like that.
 
If anybody is looking to fit the Baggage Carrier,there seems to be a slight issue.

This is the part :

fd0bacfc5b712bcb92a52c5e0d4dd300.jpg


You also need this part :

7bab3b2539c11ede6fd44344d42ae3f8.jpg


So, that plate above replaces the original item,as shown on my bike here.I’ve overlayed the original plate above the new one in the first pic :

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BUT the Baggage Carrier with the part number listed above that came to me is subtly different to the one shown in the picture alongside it,as there are extra holes to line up with the Top Case Carrier :
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(The one shown is same as fits 1290 as that needs nuts and bolts whereas the plate for 790 has thread in the plate so only need bolts)

BUT BUT whoever altered the design to fit the Top Case Carrier got the hole dimensions wrong and then didn’t include any bolts !!

The carrier holes are all 6mm :

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But the top case carrier holes are 8mm :

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So it looks like the Baggage Carrier has been adapted with extra holes from that part used on 1290 etc to fit the new Top case Carrier on the 790 but using 6mm instead of 8mm holes,so obviously won’t fit.

My dealer is chasing it with KTM.

The simple fix is to drill out the 4 holes from 6 to 8mm then get some round headed bolts to attach the two but I’ll see what KTM say first.
 
If anybody is looking to fit the Baggage Carrier,there seems to be a slight issue.

This is the part :

fd0bacfc5b712bcb92a52c5e0d4dd300.jpg


You also need this part :

7bab3b2539c11ede6fd44344d42ae3f8.jpg



STILL EDITING !!

Just fitted one of them


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
If anybody is looking to fit the Baggage Carrier,there seems to be a slight issue.

This is the part :

fd0bacfc5b712bcb92a52c5e0d4dd300.jpg


You also need this part :

7bab3b2539c11ede6fd44344d42ae3f8.jpg



STILL EDITING !!

What part ?
 
I think that top case carrier needs to be £50 not £112. Stoopid price.

On the upside it'll protect the rear light a little.
 
You can fit it with some long bolts and spacer tubes (or lots of washers). Drill holes where you need them and watch the plate doesn't stop you lifting the seat!

The relative angle of the rear rack holes vs the angle of the plate itself needs working through. i.e get long bolts and then cut them down to size. Mount on 4 rubber washers. Job done. So long as you can understand a word of what I'm saying :D
 
I think that top case carrier needs to be £50 not £112. Stoopid price.

On the upside it'll protect the rear light a little.

Agreed.
Bit cheaper minus VAT minus 10% but still too much.
 
May I ask how ?
I can’t see how unless you were supplied with a different part or adapted it/ drilled it out ?

Put it this way I paid for the plate and when I go on Tuesday to pick it up expect it to be on say no more


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
You can fit it with some long bolts and spacer tubes (or lots of washers). Drill holes where you need them and watch the plate doesn't stop you lifting the seat!

The relative angle of the rear rack holes vs the angle of the plate itself needs working through. i.e get long bolts and then cut them down to size. Mount on 4 rubber washers. Job done. So long as you can understand a word of what I'm saying :D

I assume you mean to drill the original plate ?

The Top Case Carrier is a lot more substantial though and is metal rather than the resin of the original plate.
 


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