New KTM 790 ?

[Snakeboy]

New KTM 790 spotted?

2018 KTM 790 Adventure Spied During Road Testing - ADV Pulse

Opinions?

[caminito]

assuming it will be used for travelling
Why?? if I can get an Africa Twin......

[Arma]

Interesting to see it, but I don't think I can form any opinions until we know it's vital statistics. If they manage to build a genuinely lightweight mid size bike they have a winner on their hands and I might be a little annoyed I just got a 701. I doubt it though, it'll be a big pig!

[Tim Cullis]

It all depends on the weight. I chose the KTM 690 for its low weight (139kg dry, 154kg wet) and ability to cross ploughed fields if necessary whilst still able to undertake long cruising speed liaisons without needing to service it more than every 10,000km.

So the 690R has 40 kg advantage over the BMW F800GS.

I can imagine the KTM 790 engine will weigh more than the 690, it will have a bigger tank, a proper rear subframe, better wind protection. If KTM can do that within 15-20kg it would be in a class of its own, if it adds 30-35kg the 790 will be just another midrange adventure bike.

[Magnon]

It's a shame they didn't go for a smaller V twin just because it makes it different from the F800. Don't imagine there would be much weight advantage over the parallel twin but it would be a nice feature.

As Tim Cullis says it's all about the weight - 690 plus 20kg would be fine but plus 35kg makes it just another 800 cc bike.

Would also be good if they fitted some decent WP suspension as opposed to the cost cutting half hearted stuff fitted to the 690. I'd be prepared to pay a bit more if the OE was better quality.

Proper adventure options (large tank, luggage, tyres etc.) would increase it's appeal.

Dumbed down adventure bikes do seem to be becoming the norm. A bike that is RTW capable out of the box would be nice.

[casperghst42]

Originally Posted by Tim Cullis

It all depends on the weight. I chose the KTM 690 for its low weight (139kg dry, 154kg wet) and ability to cross ploughed fields if necessary whilst still able to undertake long cruising speed liaisons without needing to service it more than every 10,000km.

So the 690R has 40 kg advantage over the BMW F800GS.

I can imagine the KTM 790 engine will weigh more than the 690, it will have a bigger tank, a proper rear subframe, better wind protection. If KTM can do that within 15-20kg it would be in a class of its own, if it adds 30-35kg the 790 will be just another midrange adventure bike.

Tim,

The F800gs is approx 200kg dry ... that give a bigger difference.

How are you getting along with the 690?

[Tim Cullis]

Originally Posted by casperghst42

The F800gs is approx 200kg dry ... that give a bigger difference.

I was posting from memory, according to BMW it's 185 kg dry, 207 kg wet, so somewhere around 45 kg heavier than the KTM 690 Enduro R (the wet weight comparison isn't particularly valid as the 800 holds more fuel).

The 690 Enduro R is very good. I have a 2013 model in Spain on Spanish plates and a 2014 (with ABS) in the UK. But it only makes sense if you are dedicated to having the best off-tarmac grand touring bike.

[Massive Lee]

Originally Posted by caminito

assuming it will be used for travelling
Why?? if I can get an Africa Twin......

Yeah. But if the 800cc KTM is as reliable as a Honda but lighter, I'd get the KTM. Who needs a 500lbs adventure bike in the sand and mud?

[caminito]

Massive Lee, I think you are right, reliability and spares / dealer availability. My impression is that they are both bad, this is just from speaking to people on the road.
Question, are KTM's as reliable as Japanese bikes?

[Tomkat]

I'm REALLY looking forward to the release of this bike. Initially I hoped they'd do a proper 690 ADV but that never happened and the word was the 790 twin was going to be the one. Of course there is already the option of the big V-twins but I've looked at those and not only are they pricey but they are mahoosive. I'm not small or weak but I really don't fancy picking one of those up, never mind alone on a sandy slope fully loaded. And to me that's a deal breaker - I won't be firing through Dakar stylee but I'm expecting unmade roads and dirt tracks, and I've been on my ear green laning enough times to know how easily you can get caught out.

The competition of course is the venerable AT, the replacement Super Ten and the F800. I'm not really considering anything bigger or smaller than that, and while there are secondhand bikes around that could fit the bill (KLR?) I'm chicken enough not to relish the thought of a blown big end in the middle of the Gobi Desert. The Honda and the Yamaha both suffer from 'big bike' thinking which is the same reason I don't fancy the bigger KTMs and for me availability is a problem for the BMW as I'll be buying out here in KZ.

The question being, will the KTM be all we expect? Time will tell but the spy pics suggest a fairly compact bike which has got to be good for weight. With a big tank the range should be good and from my own experience KTM make very good off road machinery. On the road in my eyes is less important even though most mileage will be on the road, the 90-degree engine should be smooth and frankly almost anything can be tolerated on the road. Historically, reliability has been an issue with KTMs but they've been making bikes for long enough now, not to mention testing them in the harshest of conditions, so I feel fairly confident it should be up to the job.

Roll on launch date

[tremens]

I don't know why but I didn't get along with ktm 690 r when I was testing it.
Something about the frame and geometry that didn't suit me at all. I wouldn't buy this bike. I hope that new 790 will be much better.

[xtorange]

This doesn't look anywhere near as nice as a C2004 640R.......