KTM uncovers the 790 Adventure R Rally

KTM have unveiled their new for 2020 790 Adventure R Rally. The bike will be the third adventure bike in the family based on the 790 platform joining the Adventure and Adventure R. The bike will be an exclusive one as KTM will be manufacturing only 500 units worldwide.

The bike, as the name suggests, has been made for those looking to not only do some hard core off-roading but also cover long distances while doing so. The bike retains the lightweight steel trellis frame and the LC8c parallel-twin engine that puts out 94bhp of power and 88Nm of torque, cause if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Where KTM have gone and made changes in is the suspension department. The Rally comes with the WP XPLOR PRO range of suspension which has increased travel at the front and back end by 30mm and is giving the new bike some massive off-road and rallying credentials.

The forks are the WP XPLOR PRO 7548 which use cone valve technology which allows almost unlimited opening of the valves which leads to less friction while damping and allows for a lot of adjustability without needing to change internal components. The shock setup used is the WP XPLOR PRO 6746, again using low friction components which allow for increased damping performance resulting in a more comfortable ride for longer distances. Both suspension units have been closely created with the race department. The suspension updates and increased travel mean that the seat height is now at 910mm.

KTM is also kitting the bike out with carbon fibre tank protectors, Quickshifter+ and an Akrapovič exhaust as standard. The bike also has a different colour and graphic scheme, a clear screen and winglets. To add to its rallying and off-roading capabilities, the bike has narrower rims with tubes, a racing seat and rally footrests.

Hubert Trunkenpolz, chief marketing officer, KTM AG said “Quite simply, we’ve built the KTM 790 ADVENTURE R RALLY because we can! At KTM we continually try to push ourselves and the development of our products – this is the READY TO RACE way. We have the equipment at our disposal and we know how to make a truly special bike for our hardcore customers. With its Pro Components range, WP offers suspension close to the same level used by the Dakar-winning Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Rally team on the KTM 450 RALLY. The new KTM 790 ADVENTURE R RALLY is exactly as it says: A rally bike ready for any adventure.”

Pricing and availability for international markets are yet to be announced but expecting it to come to Indian shores seems like a far fetched dream as we still haven’t gotten the standard 790 Duke yet.

Words by Karan Ramgopal