EICMA 2018: KTM 790 Adventure range revealed - India Bound?

The 790 Adventure is the travel-enduro version of the KTM 790 Duke.

An advanced prototype of the KTM 790 Adventure R was showcased in June at the KTM European Adventure Rally in Sardinia, Italy, and we must say, the production version is not too different. According to KTM, the 790 Adventure R is developed in close collaboration with the KTM Factory Racing team alongside the KTM 450 Rally bike.

While the 790 Adventure R is the out and out enduro version, the 790 Adventure is the more road-biased ADV. Powering the KTM 790 Adventure is the same 799 cc, LC8c, parallel-twin engine that powers the 790 Duke. However, the fuel-injected motor produces 95 bhp of maximum power on the ADV. It is mated to a six-speed transmission with a standard slipper clutch.

The KTM 790 Adventure comes with a host of electronic rider aids. Prominent features include ride-by-wire throttle, multi-level traction control system, multiple riding modes, quick shifter and switchable ABS with Enduro mode. KTM claims that the 790 Adventure R is the hardest ADV bike in its class, and we sure think so. Both versions feature a fully-adjustable long-travel front suspension from WP along with compression and rebound damping-adjustable WP PDS mono-shock at the rear.

The design of the KTM 790 Adventure R is rather impressive with a lot of mass centralisation, higher ground clearance and lower saddle height. The fuel tank has been moved to either side of the engine. The 790 Adventure has a capacity of 20 litres and a range of over 400 km, while the dry weight is 189 kg.

Being an off-road focused ADV, the 790 Adventure comes with 21/18-inch wire-spoke wheels at the front and rear with knobby off-road or road-biased dual-purpose tyres. Braking duties are shouldered by twin rotors up front with radially mounted 4-piston KTM callipers and a single disc at the rear with 2-piston callipers.

The KTM 790 Adventure will go on sale in Europe by early 2019. It will compete with the BMW F 850 GS, Triumph Tiger 800 XCA, and the Ducati Multistrada 950 S. There's no official word on the India launch plans for the 790 ADV.