2021 KTM 890 Adventure R And Adventure R Rally First Look

In 2019, KTM made waves with the introduction of its 790 Adventure R. For 2021, the Austrian brand ups the ante with a new pair of adventure-touring machines—the 890 Adventure R and 890 Adventure R Rally.

These bikes are powered by a new parallel-twin engine that promises more power and torque, better fuel mileage, and 9,300-mile service intervals. The 890 Adventure R will become a staple of KTM’s lineup, but the 2021 Adventure R Rally is a limited edition with 700 units planned for production, only 200 of which will be available in the US.

The LC8-derived 889cc mill features assembled camshafts, to help reduce weight, larger intake and exhaust ports, and new balancer shafts to help reduce engine vibrations. The forged, DLC-coated pistons are cooled by two jets per piston, as opposed to one jet per piston before, and the rotating mass of the crankshaft was increased by 20 percent in order to improve engine character across the rev range. New con-rods are designed to handle higher rpm, and bronze con-rod bearings are used to improve life span. The cylinders are nikasil-coated and have been designed to optimize cooling. Bore and stroke were also increased.

Spent gases flow through a pre-muffler out through the exhaust canister, allowing the platform to meet the necessary emissions regulations. The airbox is underneath the seat for easy air filter access as well. A PASC slipper clutch helps to smooth out downshifts. A quickshifter comes standard on the Rally edition and is an optional upgrade for the R model. The Rally model will come with an Akrapovič slip-on muffler.

The new engine is a stressed member within a chromoly steel tube frame, and the subframe was redesigned to be lighter.

KTM fit the Adventure R with fully adjustable WP Xplor suspension components and a steering damper, while the adventure will have WP Xplor Pro components front and rear.

Both bikes have 320mm twin discs at the front gripped by radial-mount, four-piston calipers. The 260mm disc at the rear has a two-piston floating caliper. The rear brake also features a stainless line and fittings.

The fuel tank is designed to carry petrol as low in the body as possible, to help centralize mass and improve handling. The design of the tank was inspired by the machines used by KTM Factory Racing riders in the Dakar Rally.

The handlebar is six-position adjustable, the windscreen is adjustable, and the rubber inserts on the footpegs can be removed for improved off-road feel. The Rally edition features a flat, racing-style seat, screen winglets, carbon fiber tank protectors, and rally-style footpegs. The Rally edition also comes in KTM Factory Racing graphics. Both will roll on 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels wrapped in Continental TKC 80 tires.

Both bikes feature LED lighting and a 5-inch, full-color TFT instrument display. They both also include KTM Traction Control (which can be switched off), cornering ABS, off-road ABS, and an off-road ride mode which reduces horsepower and softens throttle response. It also allows for wheel slip, turns off the anti-wheelie function, and lessens traction control’s impact in turns.

Rally mode comes standard on the Rally edition and is an optional upgrade for the R model. It features more fine-tuning options for wheel slip and throttle response, allowing the rider to dial performance to a variety of circumstances. The Rally model also features cruise control and both models will be Bluetooth compatible, connecting to the KTM My Ride app

The 890 Adventure R will be available in dealerships starting November 2020. Preorders for the 890 Adventure R Rally will open November 2, 2020 at ktm.com. No word on pricing for either bike yet.