So, have WP achieved all this? I have to say,
I wasn’t sure if there’d be a huge difference,
I mean the standard suspension is very good
as it is, but, yes, they have – without a doubt.
What is important to understand here is
the 790 R was already the best suspended
adventure bike for off-road work in standard
trim. So, this improvement makes the result
all the more impressive.
Yes, it will still bottom out when pushed hard
– such is life. Personally, I believe the greatest
improvement comes in rider comfort and
overall suspension plushness – especially
from the forks. While the suspension is more
bottom resistant and allows the machine to
travel faster in a more controlled and safer
way, the plushness is the real winner here. It
is genuinely next level, ironing out bad gravel
road corrugations while on the gas like no big
adventure bike I’ve ever ridden. Accelerating
over large corrugations is regularly the real
achilles heel for big adventure bikes, an
issue most riders of the breed will be all too
familiar with.
Naturally, decent-sized jumps are no worries
either. It’s simply amazingly good. Although
I’d refrain from going too hard at your local MX
track. Sensible choices should still be made –
potential purchasers need to understand the
KTM is still a very large, over 200kg fuelled-
up machine and no matter how great the
suspension is, it will not miraculously halve
the 790’s mass. It is never going to feel like a
500 EXC off-road. I know – I’ve got one.
If you are a big, fit and very competent
rider you will get the most benefit from this
suspension upgrade. That’s not to say that
lesser riders won’t appreciate and benefit
from the greater comfort and control. The
bottom line is, this is awesome kit, period.
The question is, can you/do you want to
spend another $10,000 when the standard
suspension is already so bloody good? If
you’ve got the spare cash and want to make
the ultimate adventure bike even better, it’s
a no brainer.
102 KIWI RIDER