2019 KTM Adventure R Rally

18th June 2019

500 to be built | Upgraded suspension

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KTM has revealed details of its new 790 Adventure R Rally, the latest off-road addition to the Austrian fold that takes the current highly competent 790 Adventure R platform to the next level. The prime difference between this 2019 special edition model (limited to 500 units, note) is the addition of the XPLOR PRO 7548 suspension kit which replaces the standard WP springs.

With its front fork cone valve technology offering "unlimited damping" to preclude the risk of bottoming, there's now 30mm of extra travel—but at the expense of the seat height which has been hiked from 880mm to 910mm. So shorter pilots are going to feel that rise where they'd probably just as soon not feel it. But the narrowness of the bike/saddle still offers a relatively short path to ground. Meanwhile, the rear shocker's Progressive Damping System (PDS) offers "easily adjustable damping behaviour".

The engine, however, is unchanged and features the current liquid-cooled 799cc DOHC, 8-valve, LC8c parallel twin offering 95bhp @ 8,000rpm. The maximum 65lb-ft of torque at 6,600rpm is also unchanged.

Wheels remain 21-inch up front and 18-inch at the rear, both now with narrower rims. Other treats include a trimmed Akrapovic exhaust, carbon fibre protectors for the petrol tank, a Quickshifter+, a straight racing seat, improved footrests, a clear screen (c/w cutesy sounding winglets) and revised graphics to help advertise your slightly more elevated status (if that's important to you).

Hubert Trunkenpolz (CMO KTM AG) has been quoted as saying: "Quite simply, we’ve built the KTM 790 Adventure R Rally because we can!" Which is about as stimulating as saying "I had a glass of water because I was thirsty." Fortunately, KTM motorcycle technology is far more impressive than the firm's klunky marketing spiel.

The new Adventure R Rally will be offered at £11,999, but you'll have to wait until Spring 2020 before you can get a leg over, so to speak.
 

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