First Look At The 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R

As is the rest of the world, we at MO are excited to be one prototype closer to the U.S. release of the 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R. KTM chose the Sardinia, Italy stop of the KTM Adventure Rally June 20-22 to release a prototype version of the 790 Adventure R, piloted by none other than extreme enduro guru, Chris Birch. Chris rode the prototype for the duration of the rally and his quote is what we are all hoping for:

“I’m honestly blown away by the new KTM 790 ADVENTURE R. Naturally, I’ve got a lot of experience on enduro bikes and the awesome ability of the big KTM ADVENTURE models, and this just feels like the perfect combination of them both.”

The 799cc parallel-twin engine shared with the 790 Duke should be a fantastic engine for an off-road oriented bike, likely providing ample torque down low in the rpm-range and hopefully being tractable enough to spread that rich torque butter on smooth. Given KTM’s success off-road and in the adventure market, we are looking forward to a high performing middle class adventure bike that’s less intimidating than it’s 35-inch seat height having, 140-horsepower brethren.

2019 KTM 390 Adventure Spy Photos

The press release below states the 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R has a 249-mile (400km) range from it’s low slung fuel tank which should contribute to a lighter feel given the lower center of gravity. A low seat height is also mentioned, which should make the middleweight ADV bike more accessible to a broader audience.

After keeping tabs on Chris Birch’s Instagram, we felt we should share this walk around from the Italian Rally. If you’re on Instagram and you’re not following Chris Birch, you should probably get on that.

The annual European event, this time hosted in Olbia, Sardinia, provided incredible on and offroad tours across three days of guided riding and tuition from KTM ambassadors and racers. Exclusive to just 150 places for like-minded KTM ADVENTURE owners only, the event sold-out extremely quickly and the lucky few made unforgettable memories and formed new friendships as they conquered the island’s incredible variety of sea view sandy trails, twisty mountain passes and even extreme offroad routes with unexplored terrain.

With the bike inspired by the demand of its customers and dealers, it was some of these hardcore riders who were the first to see and hear up close an early, preproduction version of the KTM 790 ADVENTURE R. After the opening riding day of the event, the background and positioning of this exciting new bike was formally introduced to the assembled riders by KTM staff and also ridden at the event by Chris Birch – an eight times New Zealand Enduro champ, triple Roof of Africa winner and 2010 Red Bull Romaniacs laureate, among many other accolades.

Made in the READY TO RACE style benefitting from KTM’s unrivaled offroad competition DNA, this is more than just the look of a rally bike; the lightweight KTM 790 ADVENTURE R will have the performance and purpose to back up this image. For enduro pilots who demand to go further than ever without ever taking the easy route or for adventure riders who desire to tackle the paths least explored, this will be a motorcycle to back-up the ambitious.

After riding the bike, Chris Birch said: “I’m honestly blown away by the new KTM 790 ADVENTURE R. Naturally, I’ve got a lot of experience on enduro bikes and the awesome ability of the big KTM ADVENTURE models, and this just feels like the perfect combination of them both. Obviously, what I rode is still a prototype, but it´s looking in terrific shape. Can’t wait to ride the final product!”

KTM PR Manager – Street, Luke Brackenbury, said at the event: “KTM listens to its customers and dealers throughout the world and the demand for a very hardcore, mid-capacity ADVENTURE bike was something that was repeatedly raised. Make no mistake, this new KTM will be the most performance-focused middleweight travel enduro on the market with a spec sheet to rival machines of a much bigger displacement.”