KTM has launched its 2020 motorcycle line-up for India at IBW 2019. However, that wasn't the only highlight the manufacturer had in store. It also showcased the 790 Adventure – scheduled to launch in India next year – at the event.
The 790 Adventure is available in a standard variant and a higher-spec 'R' variant. Both employ the same 799cc, parallel-twin engine from the 790 Duke, albeit in a different state of tune. On the 790 Adventure, the same engine produces 94hp and 88Nm of torque, down from the 790 Duke's 105hp/87Nm.
Both the standard 790 Adventure and the Adventure R variants are equipped with a 21-inch front wheel and identical braking hardware. However, the 790 Adventure R uses a wider, 48mm WP XPLOR front fork with a massive 240mm suspension travel, while the stock bike features a 43mm USD fork.
Braking hardware consists of twin 320mm discs with radially-mounted four-piston calipers and a 260mm disc at the rear. Fuel-tank capacity stands at 20 litres and the 790 Adventure weighs 189kg (dry). Seat height is pretty high, at 850mm, and the bike has an impressive 233mm ground clearance.
KTM is expected to bring in the 790 Adventure as a CKD with a low level of localisation, just like it has done with the 790 Duke. While we'll have to wait until next year for information on pricing, here's an idea of how much it will likely cost. The 790 Duke in India is priced at Rs 8.64 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India). Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, the price difference between the Duke and Adventure is about 25 percent – the 790 Duke costs £8,799, while the 790 Adventure is priced at £11,099. If the difference in cost remains similar in India, it would mean that the 790 Adventure would get a price tag of around Rs 10.8 lakh (ex-showroom, India).
While the base 790 Adventure will make its way to the Indian market, it remains to be seen whether the higher-spec 790 Adventure R will follow suit.
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
Dinshaw Magol
