ADVENTURE-IST
For an adventure bike to be genuinely
capable across all terrain the suspension’s
performance is probably the greatest factor.
Remember adventure bikes are over 200kg
and you’re trying to do things that often dirt
bikes half their weight struggle to do well.
So, it’s a big ask! And just to be clear… to my
mind an adventure bike is around 700/800cc
minimum and multi cylinder. If it’s below that
capacity and only got one cylinder…? You’re
on a trail/dirt bike and adventure riding. Let
the blowback begin…
Even this new KTM 790R is 189kg without
fuel, which means it’s well over 200kg wet
with the 20 litre fuel tank full. Fortunately,
the 790 R suspension is amazingly good. It’s
not just good for a 200kg adventure bike, it’s
pretty damn good for any proper dirt bike
too! This means the 790 R is so much better
than any other adventure bike out there at
the moment – there’s just no comparison.
The WP USD 48mm forks are exceptionally
good – very plush, super controlled and
extremely resistant to bottoming out. The
WP PDS shock will bottom in whoops when
pushed hard, but was always very controlled,
especially in the rebound.
Plushness under braking on bad gravel road
corrugations wasn’t the best, but everywhere
else the compression damping was excellent.
At both ends wheel travel is 240mm and
fully adjustable, although, because it was
remarkably good, I never touched the clickers
or preload even when whoop bashing in
Woodhill’s sand.
ALL ABOUT BALANCE
Top riders talk a lot about balance. No point
having the best shock in the world if the
forks are crap and the bike does not steer.
This is where the KTM 790R genuinely is
KIWI RIDER 113