Motorcycles

KTM’s 790 Adventure R prototype signals entry into middleweight segment

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The KTM 790 Adventure R prototype is powered by KTM's first LC8c parallel twin engine
KTM
The 790 Adventure R prototype at EICMA 2017 appropriately finished in a "rally-style" paint job
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas
The 790 Adventure R takes its styling cues from KTM's rally heritage, with the prototype bike here parked alongside KTM's 450 Rally race bike
KTM
The 790 Adventure R prototype takes its engine and gearbox from the 790 Duke – however, the production model may be mechanically different to help the bike perform better off-road
KTM
The KTM 790 Adventure R prototype is powered by KTM's first LC8c parallel twin engine
KTM
KTM's CEO, Stefan Pierer, and 2017 Dakar champion, Sam Sunderland, getting up close and personal with the new adventure bike prototype
KTM
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Alongside the unveiling of KTM's first LC8c parallel twin engine in the production-ready KTM Duke 790, the Austrian manufacturer teased the audience at EICMA 2017 with the 790 Adventure R prototype. The aggressively styled bike shares its underpinnings with its naked bike cousin and could ruffle a few feathers in the middleweight adventure bike segment when a production version emerges.

The prototype is powered by KTM's first LC8c parallel twin engine, however, KTM hasn't revealed whether the engine and gearbox were modified for off-road use. But even in its standard guise the new engine is set to be a serious powerhouse, and in a production 790 Adventure R would most likely feature a lot of the mechanical goodies found on the Duke, such as a slipper clutch, adjustable engine braking, quick shifter and 105 hp (79 kW) and 64 ft-lb (87 Nm) of torque.

The 790 Adventure R prototype at EICMA 2017 appropriately finished in a "rally-style" paint job
Spiros Tsantilas/New Atlas

At the unveiling, KTM had the concept placed alongside its 450 Rally Dakar Race bike, with which it shares a sharp silhouette. There's no mistaking that the 790 Adventure R is built for off-road as evidenced by the large front fender, tall bars, a dirt-bike-like seat and pace-note-style high-mounted dash.

KTM's signature angular front-headlamp has been tweaked with a floating design and the trellis frame is neatly tucked away behind the front fairings, while the Akrapovic exhaust shown at EICMA will most likely be a KTM Power Parts option.

The 790 Adventure R prototype takes its engine and gearbox from the 790 Duke – however, the production model may be mechanically different to help the bike perform better off-road
KTM

The new bike comes with WP suspension front and rear, with KTM also stating that the production bike will come with an extensive electronics package. This will most likely feature KTM's electronic suspension, off-road traction control and ABS that will allow slip at the rear, along with stability control and the choice of different riding modes.

With Yamaha teasing another T7 Tenere concept and Honda flaunting an Africa Twin Enduro concept, the 790 Adventure R is facing some stiff competition in an already cutthroat segment. KTM is planning to use the new bike as its entry into the middleweight adventure segment and to also fill the large void between the 690 Enduro R and the 1090 Adventure R. We can't wait to see the production model as the prototype already looks extremely promising.

In the meantime, check out the 790 Adventure R concept being hooned through the rough stuff alongside the KTM 450 Rally in the video below, and to check out some of the other drool-worthy bikes unveiled at EICMA 2017, dive into our extensive gallery.

Source: KTM

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2 comments
swaan
Still nowhere near the versatility of the 640 Adventure. Long distance? Yes. Off-road? Wide and around 200kgs - meh. Long distance off-road? Doesn't look like it. Why don't they make something like the 450 Rally Dakar for mere mortals?
DavidRogerBrown
The wet weight seems to be around 440 lbs. That's only 20lbs. less than their previous 990 was. Honda's African twin is actually lighter than KTM's 1090. What is going on,KTM? All these electronic bells & whistles add weight,cost,complexity & future problems. K.I.S.S.The parallel twin engine comparison with the V twin will be interesting. Surely more compact. Sharp looking scoot though.