Adventure motorcycles are gaining quite traction in recent times and almost all manufacturers are bagging highly in this segment. Dual-Sport motorcycles are actually much more practical as opposed to dedicated track-spec machines that can at times be a pain to ride about daily. KTM has expanded its portfolio with more "adventure" and the 2021 KTM 890 Adventure is the newest addition to the pack.
It was a bit late in showing up, as KTM had recently revealed the more dedicated 890 Adventure R and 890 Adventure R Rally models. Nevertheless, the more tamable middle-weight adventure offering is here. KTM has taken the already capable engine and chassis combination of the 790 Adventure and dialed things up to form the gruntier 890 Adventure. This forms the base model of the 890 line-ups that is easily tamed than its hardcore counterparts.
KTM brings forth the best of both worlds with the newest middle-weight adventure offering. It will also mark the end of the KTM 790 Adventure as the replacing 890 Adventure is a much appealing package. The 2021 KTM 890 Adventure takes on the likes of Triumph Tiger 900, the rumored baby Honda Africa Twin, Yamaha Tenere 700 Series, and the upcoming Husqvarna Norden 901.
2021 KTM 890 Adventure is the latest frenzy in Orange that sits below the 890 Adventure R and 890 Adventure R Rally. It packs all of KTM's off-roading pedigree with equally competent on-road prowess, priced from an MSRP of $13,099.
790 Adventure-derived Engine With More Low And Mid-Range Grunt
KTM 890 Adventure uses an upsized parallel-twin engine that is derived from the 790 Adventure. It adds 5.4 cu.in.(90 cc.) more to the 48.8 cu.in.(799 cc.) engine of the 790. The outgoing Adventure sure had a lot going for it but all of its grunts were accumulated at the top of its rev-band. This wasn't a usable set up for an adventure motorcycle. And so KTM has rectified that in the 890 Adventure, thanks to a new crank that adds 20% more inertia.
It allows for a much healthier low and mid-range torque output. The figures of 105 hp and 74 lb-ft it puts on the table would make it much more tractable than its donor. It now behaves more like a V-twin, thanks to the impressive refinement that has also come with the crucial tweaks. The ride-by-wire system is crisp and coupled with its spot-on fueling makes it an easy motorcycle to ride.
Best Of Both Worlds With Its Toned-Down WP Apex Suspension
KTM has unveiled the much more aggressive 890 Adventure R and 890 Adventure R Rally recently that are focused solely on off-roading performance. Its strength happens to be a weakness as well since all of its focused bits make it less flexible. This is where the humble 890 Adventure comes to the rescue as it has been built with flexibility and daily rideability in mind.
It gets a rather toned down WP Apex suspension setup with non-adjustable front forks and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. The steering stem is now made of aluminum instead of steel for added lightness and flex. It also gets bitier brake pads as opposed to its predecessor and the downgraded Avon AV54 trail rider tires are not necessarily bad. These shoes are not so good for the trails, but it puts forth a much-balanced package that makes it a decent on as well as an off-roader. All these tweaks will help the 890 Adventure cater to a wider audience who are not so keen on hardcore off-roading.
Shorter Wheelbase, Lower Seat Height, And A More Practical Adventurer
Another notable aspect is the 890 Adventure's reduced wheelbase which happens to be a whole inch shorter than its hardcore brothers. The rake angle has also been reduced by a margin to 25.9 degrees. All of this and the shorter WP Apex suspension travel help the 890 Adventure sit lower with a ground clearance of 9.2 in. and is much more comfortable to ride about.
You do sacrifice a bit of its ground clearance that otherwise would have helped tackle off-roads easily. But the tipping point here is subtle and can be lived with. Moreover, the seat height can also be adjusted between 32.7 - 33.5 inches. It also gets a taller windscreen for better wind dissipation and helps the 890 Adventure be more comfortable at higher speeds. Add a 5.28 gallon(20-liters) fuel tank to this setup and you have a very comfortable and practical touring machine.
Plans To Stay On Top With Its Impressive List Of Electronics & Features
KTM has also been applauded for its impressive list of technology features for the insane price-point it provides motorcycles at. The trend carries on for 2021 890 Adventure and packs features like a multi-functional 5-inch TFT dashboard that displays most of the vehicular details cleanly along with the speedometer and tachometer. It also gets other standard features that include cornering ABS, lean angle-sensitive traction control (MTC), selectable drive modes - Rain, Road, and Off-Road and LED lighting all around.
Apart from the standard bunch of features, KTM also offers a slew of Powerparts for both performance and comfort that includes Up/ Down quickshifter, Cruise Control (software), heated seat and grips, and flexible options for luggage panniers.
Pricing And Release Date Of 2021 KTM 890 Adventure
KTM sure did lag a bit in pitching forth details of the 890 Adventure but it is finally here and puts a very appealing package that is sure to woo in a wider audience as opposed to its hardcore brothers. Pricing has been slated at $13,099 for the 2021 KTM 890 Adventure which happens to be the entry point for the 890 Series. The 890 Adventure R costs $14,199 and the 890 Adventure R Rally comes in at $19,999. KTM is still to decide a release date for the 890 Adventure, but we expect it to be at dealerships in the first quarter of 2021.
Sources: Press.ktm.com, Visordown.com, Ultimatemotorcycling.com, Cycleworld.com, Motorcycledaily.com, Asphaltandrubber.com