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Jun 20, 2023

2023 KTM 890 Adventure R: Everything We Know

After two years in development, the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R proves to be a fantastic companion to hardcore off-roading and rallying enthusiasts. Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM is inarguably one

After two years in development, the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R proves to be a fantastic companion to hardcore off-roading and rallying enthusiasts.

Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM is inarguably one of the titans of the industry, and they haven't reached that status without making some fantastic bikes. One of their most popular motorcycles is the KTM 890 Adventure and the Adventure R, and quite rightly so. After all, the 890 Adventure R is a dream come true for every off-roading enthusiast, thanks to its fantastic capabilities on every possible terrain. The KTM Adventure R makes over 100 horsepower, thanks to a big 889cc engine, and while it's known for its off-roading chops, the motorcycle remarkably impressive on the tarmac as well.

Adventure tourers are more popular than ever before, owing to their bevy of features, great versatility, remarkable power, and tons of comfort. Unsurprisingly, thanks to a two-year development cycle, the 2023 KTM Adventure R checks all those boxes, and it does it with it a unique flair that sets it apart from the rest of the crowd. If you've got the bug for adventuring to lands uncharted and want a machine that will be with you every step along the way, come what may, here's everything you need to know about the 2023 KTM Adventure R.

KTM claims that the 2023 890 Adventure R is for "those who dare to adventure", thanks to a host of technical upgrades on their '23 motorcycle. From just a single glance at the new 890 Adventure R, it is clear that the motorcycle focuses on off-road excellence, durability, and versatility. Armed with a fantastic 889cc parallel-twin 4-stroke engine, the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R makes an impressive 105 horsepower. Along with that, the motorcycle pumps out 74 lb-ft of torque, which it reaches at 6,500 RPM. While the torque remains the same, this same engine makes a whopping 119 horsepower in the KTM 890 Duke R naked supersport bike. In terms of sheer speed, the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R top speed is around 125 mph. KTM has designed the 890 Adventure R for off-road excellence, taking inspiration from the Dakar-winning KTM 450 Rally. These inspirations show up in the new bodywork of the motorcycle, along with the enhanced ergonomics and a new fairing, for starters.

Engine Displacement

889cc

No. Of Cylinders

2 (Parallel-Twin)

Transmission

6-Speed

Horsepower

105 hp

Torque

74 lb-ft

Top Speed

125 mph

What comes with the added 'R' badge for the 890 Adventure? For more rugged off-roading without breaking a sweat, the 890 Adventure R is armed with fully-adjustable WP XPLOR forks, along with a WP XPLOR PDS rear shock. This time around, the 890 Adventure R's suspension has been improved, re-tuned for improved damping and feel. For those who want a serious touring motorcycle that can easily take rough terrains in stride, the KTM 890 Adventure R offers a package that is hard to pass on. There are plenty of great beginner off-road motorcycles out there on the market, but the KTM 890 Adventure R might just prove too much to handle if you're fairly new to the game.

RELATED: 2023 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R: Everything We Know

The design and handling (especially off-road) of the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R is the real meat and potatoes of the motorcycle, and the adventure bike hasn't disappointed in that department. The KTM 890 Adventure R weight is 463 lbs, which, along with its 63.7-degree steering head angle, is pretty damn nimble in every environment it is faced with. Add to that the slew of electronic rider aids that KTM has added to the 2023 model, and you have on your hands a motorcycle that feels almost one with the rider. A high-end steering damper ensures that no matter what speed you're at, the 890 Adventure R is going to be stable.

Wheelbase

60.2 inches

Ground Clearance

9.2 inches

Seat Height

34.6 inches

Rake

26.3 inches

Front Suspension Travel

7.9 inches

Rear Suspension Travel

7.9 inches

Tire Size

21-inch (front) | 18-inch (rear)

Fuel Capacity

5.6 gallons

Curb Weight

463 lbs

If you're wondering which motorcycle out of the 890 Adventure and the 890 Adventure R you should get, it would all depend on your riding style. As such, if you're looking to explore the occasional trail, while most of your riding is still going to be on the asphalt, but you still want a motorcycle that can hold its own and then some when it goes off-road, the standard 890 Adventure should be more than enough. However, if you're looking to go get muddy, dirty, and aggressively pursue any trail you lay your eyes on, the more expensive, but more off-road-capable Adventure R should be your companion.

RELATED: Why The 2023 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S Is A Great Ducati Multistrada V4 S Alternative

That's right, a 100+ horsepower engine and agile, nimble frame isn't enough for the 2023 KTM 890 Adventure R. There's also the massively impressive spec-sheet. Equipped with a 5-inch color TFT display that supports USB connection, the 890 Adventure R sports 3 riding modes as standard equipment, namely the Street, Off-Road, and the Rain modes. Furthermore, there's also the optional Rally Mode, which you could get if you're planning on being particularly aggressive on your expeditions. Furthermore, KTM also offers a Demo Mode on the 890 Adventure R, a first for the motorcycle. This mode would allow riders to equip and play around all specs and options for over 900 miles, before finally deciding which pack or features to settle with.

While the standard set of features on the 2023 KTM is remarkable as it is, KTM also offers some great optional features for the motorcycle as well. For starters, the KTM 890 Adventure R does have cruise control, but it is an optional feature. Other available options on the motorcycle include heated grips and a heated seat, plus the aforementioned Rally mode.

RELATED: 8 Things We Like About The 2023 Suzuki V-Strom 800DE Adventure

The base KTM 890 Adventure motorcycle has a starting MSRP of $13,949, and the KTM 890 Adventure R comes with a price tag of $15,199. The $1,250 price difference is owing to the more rugged and capable WP suspension that comes with the 'R' badge. Again, if you're not going to be running your 890cc tourer through the toughest, muddiest, and rockiest of terrains, you could save yourself over $1000 by going for the regular variant. In fact, the KTM 890 Adventure, without the 'R' badge, gets 24 months of warranty from KTM, while the 890 Adventure R, like all of KTM's 'R' models, gets 12 months. That said, both the regular and the hardcore R variant of this fantastic motorcycles are remarkable enough to write home about. Coming off a two-year development cycle, there is plenty of new stuff on the 2023 model that we like. The 'R' adventure series from KTM continues to impress, much like the super-powered version of the bike, which is, of course, the 1290 Super Adventure R, as well as the S model. To know more about KTM's travel lineup-topping model, the 1290 Super Adventure, head on over to HotCars contributor Arun Singh Pundir's feature on the same.

Base MSRP

$15,199

Freight Charges

$750

Warranty

12 months

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If it has wheels and an engine, Samarveer Singh is going to be obsessed with it. He is a budding Indian motorcycle racer, competing at the national level in his country in his very first year, chasing his dream around every corner of the racetrack. A touring enthusiast, Samarveer is forever stuck between the urge to constantly redline his bike, or save its clutch plates for longer.