First Impressions - KTM 1290 Adventure R vs 890 Adventure R

Comments · 36

• FO

  @fourpropfpv9246 · 2 years ago

  I love how 40-50lbs is considered so much lighter in all the reviews. I'm a 2023 1290 owner. 130kph on the highway all day with no buzz. I doubt I could get an 890 that much further than a 1290 offroad. I can power through pretty well any mud puddle.  Controls, hydro clutch, and seating all felt more premium on the 1290. And then add luggage, 40lb saving vs the extra 60hp really makes a huge difference.

  20

• CU

  @CurtisBrandt · 2 years ago

  Great comparison and it looks like you enjoyed beautiful weather and really fun roads. These are both amazing motorcycles!

  1

• CR

  @cryptomafiya268 · 3 years ago (edited)

  Awesome review. One of the best level headed reviews on YouTube. Thanks for the unbiased opinions on both bikes.

  8

• CH

  @christianmouraux7269 · 3 years ago

  I had he 890 then the 1290, The 890 is more agile of course but if you go for long highways haul, then the 1290 does really make a difference. Another big difference in favor of the 1290 is the quick shifter that is way smoother and predictable than the one on the 890. Might seem a detail, but unpredictability of the quick shifter of the 890 was driving me nut, each time I was shifting I was somehow stressed than it would eventually miss the shift, very very annoying! The 1290 works better for me but I must admit that I ride much more on paved road than off-road. If I would be much more off-roading then I would go for the 890. Quite obvious 😀 Thanks a lot for you video 👍

  14

• BR

  @Braapncamp · 3 years ago

  Nice comparison Steve, i was realy amazed by the 1290 SAR when i tested it. But i do not need the power and when i got back on my then 790R, it just felt right and som nimble, almost like an enduro bike when getting back on it. But with that said this 1290 is a swiss tool as well. Far more capable than it looks or initial feel. Must say that the power is fun when you use it, driving license unfriendly fun...

  2

• HU

  @hugoross5749 · 3 years ago

  Nice review thanks for the information

  1

• MO

  @motospey2557 · 2 years ago

  Thanks, great review!

  1

• AN

  @AntaresSQ01 · 2 years ago

  I want a review of the 890 vs 890 R from the perspective of someone wanting to do offroad, a fair bit of it, but not extreme stuff like jumps etc, but definitely fast trails and some techy stuff.

• BR

  @brookdow · 3 years ago

  Great reviews I'm in Perth myself where were U riding off-road just one criticism video work could be better could be better on chin mount but overall great work 😊

• CA

  @Captndarty · 1 year ago

  1190R all day all night long👍🏻 and it’s the last model that when you look back with a beer in hand, you can say wow that’s sexy.

  1

• CO

  @Coloradoadvguy · 2 years ago

  Great and thoughtful comparison. Really appreciate the effort you made to sort through the plusses and minuses. Hard to argue with the 890 being the one if you could only have one bike. But, as is so often the case the case with motorcycles, the calculation can change if you throw into the mix bikes you already have. In my case, a 690 Enduro R with heated grips, windscreen, custom seat, and side racks for soft luggage, and a 450EXC if the going gets really rough. In this situation the 890 is just a little too close to the 690, and 120 lbs (54kg) heavier. Having had a heavily modified 990 Adventure for 10 years, I know what&apos;s that&apos;s like: incredibly capable, but not quite fun. That&apos;s why I got the 690. It&apos;s more fun, and a reasonable distance ride, but not long, long distance.<br>What I&apos;m looking for is a bike that I can jump on without hesitation and ride from my home in Colorado to California, 1000 to 1200 miles, depending on where you&apos;re going, as I&apos;ve done many times, and maybe, with full luggage, take one of the gravel or two track roads in Nevada or Utah or Montana that that you always wondered where are they went. But maybe something a bit more capable than a GS.<br>Your thoughts are very helpful for me as well, even though I might reach a different conclusion.

  1

• JU

  @juliantrendall3216 · 2 years ago

  I&apos;d love an 890 but can&apos;t get past the cam issue. Does anyone have any thoughts?