if I'm not mistaken all new adventure bikes from KTM, BMW, Suzuki XT versions use tubeless, spoked wheels so only honda is behind and Kawasaki. We'll see what approach T700 is gonna take.

I think it's important to make a distinction between the basic 790 Adventure and the 790 Adventure R. KTM themselves describe the Adv as a long distance touring bike with offroad capabilities, while the R is clearly more performance focused, with its single seat, high front mudguard and many selectable driving modes. I'd agree with you the R is not an Adventure bike as we would generally think of it.

I'll be able to let you know how capable the Adv feels in March hopefully, as I've just put down an deposit on one

https://www.asphaltandrubber.com/rum...0-enduro-2019/

Interesting that KTM is muddying its own waters by reintroducing the 690 Enduro R using the Husky 701 engine for MY19.

__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Yes, you are right, the 790 Adventure looks a far better bike for travellers. The more I look, the more impressed I am. 15,000km service interval is brilliant, a wide variety of accessories and luggage. If I was in the market for a mid-weight travel bike it would probably be a toss up between this and the BMW 850 (which has tubeless spoked wheels).

Hope it lives up to your expectations

__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

790 Adventure also has tubeless spoked rims.

The R version has tubed DID rims.

No mention of that on KTM's own site.

https://www.ktm.com/en/travel/790-adventure/chassis

exactly, while on 1090 adv R they say it clearly it has tubeless wheels:

https://www.ktm.com/en/travel/1090-adventure-r/chassis

790 also doesn't seem to have hydraulic clutch, which is interesting since most of ktm have it. Would that indicate it will be budget version of 1090?
which in turn was budget version for 1290 adv r

Would be a shame if there is no hydraulic clutch, as you really need to work it on some slippery terrain... But I don't believe the 790 will be a cheap version of the 1090 : Totally different frame and engine !

if I see right there is standard cable clutch on this clip:

Looks like a space ship though?



Good for Matlock Bath but not good for Mauritania?


It gave me a big slackie as soon as I saw it. Too flash for proper travel and those big fuel tanks low down at first strike poimt are just asking for an angry thorn.


But to be fair, take off the homo-erotic body-work, and replace with something understated, you have a very workable machine. good punt KTM, just roll it up and zip it in like everyone else does.





children eh? xxx

Well I searched high and low for more information. Nothing about tubeless on the specifications on the KTM site. I studied photos in detail and there was no sign (for me) that the rims were anything but tubed.

However, I found the video below shot at EICMA. At about six minutes in, KTM Italy's Head of Communications, Paolo Fabiano, is talking about the 790 Adventure, and the subtitles state, "the rims are tubeless with KTM technology".

The journalist says tyres with tubes but Fabiano corrects him, waggling his finger, saying they are tubeless wheels and tyres using the same technology used on the other KTM adventure motorcycles.



I'm really impressed with KTM's understanding of the needs of the 'bumbling around' off-tarmac adventure tourers; tubeless with 21/18 is a great combo for this whilst those who want to play silly buggers pretending they are Dakar Rally riders can buy the tubed 'R' version.

Having suffered with mudplugging, I'd like to see a bigger gap 'twixt the tyre and front mudguard. Perhaps the R mudguard could be fitted.

And then I suppose there's the endless list of little things that you would think an adventure bike manufacturer would provide as standard and rarely does
- wide footpegs
- big foot on side stand (this must cost pennies at the build stage)
- loud horn
- LED aux lights so oncoming trucks realise you are not a moped

__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

The 790 has a slipper clutch and different traction control and ABS modes that let you select how much wheel slip you want on or off road. As you say, it's a totally different bike to the V-twins and will be much smaller, lighter and lower. Far more suitable for offroad use, and I don't think having a cable clutch will be any impediment. Far from it, it's something that's a whole lot easier to fix if it goes wrong in the middle of nowheristan.

The R mudguard could be fitted, yes - KTM say all the parts are interchangeable. But I suspect few of these bikes will see really, really heavy mud and in that case the mudguard will be the last of your problems. It's not a trail bike, and even then I've been on a trail bike with high mudguard in such sticky mud that it just clogs the forks and brakes and jams the wheel anyway.

KTM already list big footrests as an option I believe, as for the other things you mention they wouldn't be a very high priority for me.

Lastly before I fall off my soapbox, a thought on davebetty's points. The overslung tanks didn't appeal to me at first but the more I think about them the more I like them. KTM state they have tested them for impact resistance and from the look of them they have outer panels made similar to crash bungs to protect them in the event of a road spill. And of course they help keep the weight low, very important if you're travelling on a rough road or dirt track. If it's cafe posing you're after, stick to a big V-twin with a big fuel tank perched on top of a tall engine. To me small and simple is sweet.

Having fixed the leaking clutch slave cylinder of my 701 on the side of a croatian road, you make a really valid point here

from what I see so far I'd rather get 1090 adventure R for traveling, 18kg difference is not much and you get premium most of the components plus more power. The question is only price difference.