KTM 790 Adventure R Rally 2020 — Specifications

Who remembers the days when KTM swore by the single-cylinder engine alone for tackling rocky terrain? The 799 cc LC8c parallel twin changed the game, and with the 2020 KTM 790 Adventure R Rally, the Austrian firm pushes the envelope even further. Produced in a run of just 500 units, this limited edition transforms an already highly capable R into a genuine rally raid tool, built for those who consider rough tracks their natural playground. At over €20,199, the KTM 790 Adventure R Rally's price tag exceeds that of a 1290 Super Adventure S. You need to know what you're buying.

And what you're buying is, above all, an exceptional rolling chassis. The WP XPLOR PRO suspension — 48 mm fork up front and a single shock at the rear — delivers 270 mm of travel on both ends. That's thirty millimeters more than the standard R. The fork's Cone Valve system, with its conical stop, provides progressive damping without having to disassemble shim stacks to change settings. On paper, WP claims performance close to that of the factory 450 SX-F suspension used at the Dakar. The trade-off comes in seat height, perched at 910 mm. You'd better have a long inseam or master the art of putting only one foot down. The narrower rims accept 90/90-21 and 150/70-18 tires mounted with inner tubes — a logical choice for easy repairs out in the bush.

The inline four-stroke twin remains identical to the standard R. Its 95 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 88.3 Nm of torque at 6,600 rpm are more than enough for this kind of riding. The compact engine, used as a stressed member of the chrome-molybdenum steel frame, helps keep dry weight at 188 kg. That's restrained for a machine this well-equipped. The six-speed gearbox comes with a standard bidirectional quickshifter here — a welcome comfort on long stages where you're constantly switching pace between fast tracks and technical obstacles. The 20-liter tank provides decent range without turning the bike into a barge.

The Rally kit goes well beyond the suspension. The Akrapovic exhaust saves roughly a kilo, the tank protectors switch to carbon fiber, the windscreen and deflectors become transparent, the seat adopts a flatter profile to help the rider move around while standing, and the footpegs are redesigned for better grip with off-road boots. Every detail targets off-tarmac efficiency. Against a Yamaha Ténéré 700, the KTM plays in an entirely different price and equipment league. Against a Honda Africa Twin Adventure Sports, it counters with significantly less weight and a sharper temperament. The 790 Adventure R Rally isn't looking for road-going compromise.

This KTM is aimed at a very specific audience. Experienced riders, comfortable in serious off-road conditions, who want a machine ready to go without spending hours fitting accessories. Finding a used KTM 790 Adventure R Rally is something of a treasure hunt given the limited production run, and well-maintained examples hold their value. To test ride the KTM 790 Adventure R Rally, you have to accept the tall seat and the steep price. But once you're charging down a rutted track, the generous suspension travel, torquey engine, and precise chassis remind you why KTM dominates the Dakar. This Rally isn't a road-biased adventure bike in disguise. It's a rally raid tool that happens to accept, on occasion, a stretch of tarmac.