Motorcycles

KTM's 790 Adventure R gets hardcore Rally edition

KTM's 790 Adventure R gets hardcore Rally edition
The hills are alive with the sound of KTM and Akrapovic
The hills are alive with the sound of KTM and Akrapovic
View 13 Images
A new Rally version gives KTM fans something to wheelie about, as if they needed it
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A new Rally version gives KTM fans something to wheelie about, as if they needed it
Longer travel WP suspension at either end
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Longer travel WP suspension at either end
The seat is higher, flatter and racier
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The seat is higher, flatter and racier
The 790 Adventure R Rally, with the 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R
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The 790 Adventure R Rally, with the 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R
The 910-mm seat height will be a challenge for many riders
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The 910-mm seat height will be a challenge for many riders
Race-spec WP Explor forks
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Race-spec WP Explor forks
Carbon engine sliders
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Carbon engine sliders
The hills are alive with the sound of KTM and Akrapovic
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The hills are alive with the sound of KTM and Akrapovic
Only 500 Rally editions will be made
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Only 500 Rally editions will be made
Spoked rims now support tubed tires for serious off-roading
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Spoked rims now support tubed tires for serious off-roading
Quickshifter is standard
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Quickshifter is standard
Can go down hills
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Can go down hills
The hardest of the hardcore off-road advanture fans will like a lot about this bike, but will complain about the tank range
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The hardest of the hardcore off-road advanture fans will like a lot about this bike, but will complain about the tank range
View gallery - 13 images

KTM's 790 Adventure bikes already appeared to have the wood over Yamaha's Ténéré 700 in the suspension department, with longer-travel boingers at both ends, but a new limited edition Rally version ups the ante even further when the going gets really tough.

The new KTM 790 Adventure R Rally builds on the platform of the 790 Adventure R, keeping the same frame and 95-hp parallel twin motor. But it's focused toward the gnarliest of off-road duties with the addition of new, longer-travel, high-spec suspension at either end.

With an additional 30 mm (1.2 in) of travel at both ends, the Rally edition rocks WP's latest XPLOR Pro 7548 forks, with their almost endless cone-valve damping adjustments that let you do things with the clickers that would previously have required you to open the forks up and get the shim kit out.

The hardest of the hardcore off-road advanture fans will like a lot about this bike, but will complain about the tank range
The hardest of the hardcore off-road advanture fans will like a lot about this bike, but will complain about the tank range

Likewise, the shock is the XPLOR Pro 6746 unit, with progressive damping that changes depending on where in the stroke it's at. This suspension is built in the same department that manages WP's racing gear.

The overall effect should be a smoother, more controlled ride that can handle even bigger bumps, ruts and rocks, and that should reduce rider fatigue over a long day out hunting great spots to take ruggedly handsome Instagram selfies.

Longer travel WP suspension at either end
Longer travel WP suspension at either end

Other Rally edition add-ons include a lightweight (and presumably fruitier-sounding) Akrapovic exhaust, standard quickshifter, carbon tank protectors, narrower rims, tubed tires, rally style footrests and a high, flat, racy seat that sits even higher than the standard R model at 910 mm (35.8 in). That's taller than a 1290 Super Adventure R, and the same height as the highest setting on a BMW R1250 GS Adventure, so this is certainly not a bike for people with duck's disease.

Pitched at the hardest-core adventure fans, the 790 Adventure R Rally will be limited to 500 bikes, with details on pricing, availability and how to get hold of one yet to come. There are plenty more photos of it in the gallery.

Source: KTM

View gallery - 13 images
1 comment
1 comment
ChairmanLMAO
DUCK'S disease, LOL. That must be where the term sitting ducks must come from. I got a 2013 exc f that meets the offroad with more power than I need but it's gobbling the tires faster than i can put new ones on for riding the street. Almost went for a BMW 1200 but found it to be too big for dirt. Rode the 1290 and the Duke also too big. This 790 just might be the match that I'm looking for. BTW, motorcycle license was the best thing I ever decided to do. KTM is the best bike on the planet too, methinks.