EICMA 2018: KTM 790 Adventure & 790 Adventure R unveiled
KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R at the EICMA
So far, we’ve seen some fabulous machines from a number of esteemed motorcycle manufacturers at the EICMA 2018. And now, KTM too has entered the elite party. The Austrian motorcycle brand was expected to showcase its 390 Adventure at the EICMA 2018 but however, it has unveiled the production versions of the 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R instead.
KTM had previously showcased the prototype of these bikes and the 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R retain most of the design cues from it. Upfront the bikes feature the striking inverted LED headlamps seen on all latest generation KTM bikes. There’s also a windscreen and fairing, similar to that on the bigger 1290 Adventure. The 790 Adventure gets a split seat while the 790 R features a single-saddled seat.
Both the bikes are powered by the same engine from the 790 Duke but KTM says it’s re-tuned for better bottom end performance and better refinement. The 799cc parallel twin engine makes 93.7bhp and 84Nm of torque. With a 20-litre tank, the company claims the bikes have a range of about 450km. There’s some state-of-the-art techno wizardry as well as the bikes come with a 5inch TFT with Bluetooth connectivity, multi-level traction control system, cornering ABS with switchable off-road mode and a quickshifter.
The bikes are well equipped for some serious off-roading too. Both the motorcycles come with 21 inch front and 18 inch rear tyres. While the standard one comes with dual purpose Avion Trailrider tyres, the Adventure R gets Metzeler Karoo 3 tyres. Both bikes get long travel suspension as well. The Adventure 790 gets WP APEX suspension that offers 200mm of travel at each end while the ‘R’ version gets 240mm suspension travel with the premium WP XPLOR suspension. It makes the Adventure 790 R the bike with highest ground clearance and longest suspension travel in it’s segment.
It’s highly unlikely for KTM to bring these rugged beauties to India anytime soon as we’re expecting the 790 Duke to arrive on our shores first. Nonetheless, when launched in the international markets early next year, the Adventure 790 twins will compete with the Triumph Tiger 800 XC range, BMW F 850 GS and the Honda Africa Twin. For more EICMA news, stay tuned with us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
