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The difference in seat hight between my 800GS and my 790ADV made a huge difference in my offroad confidence. Knowing that I can get my foot down in almost any situation allows me to think of the trail, and not an exit plan.
@@roysteves Whenever I am on active logging roads and have some people fly by and drift around blind corners I tighten up hoping there won't be a logging truck.
Great content, Ben thanks very much, you gotta love that view when you get up that mountain, and I think we all have conversations with ourselves when we get to tricky areas. Thanks again see you next time.
I hear ya, I have the GT version, if I die on it, I hope the huge grin on my face is still there when they peel the helmet off 😎 I don't see how off road on the ADV is even possible with that motor.
I have a 1290 SAR as well, yes it's way too much for offroad. But I bought it with the intent of traveling a lot farther on-road. If I had a do over, I likely would have gone the 790 route. Otherwise the 1290 is so much fun.
Question! Thanks to Ben, I just took my first off-road course…if you are in northern Virginia I highly recommend DC DirtCamp, great company. Soooo, downsizing to a mid-size to add a little more off-road adventures. Narrowed to DE 800 and “new” KTM 790…any experiences with either are appreciated!
I had a 1290 for a few years. I mostly rode it in Off Road mode and for me it was way more enjoyable. Eventually I realized it was too much bike for the way I rode and traded it for a 701. More my style of bike.
you graduated to the upper class bikes.....almost to the Starsbucks level...next will be the Beamer class. LOL Looking forward to your videos on this bike and any problems you encounter. Keep up the great work.
I'd sure like to see a comparison between the Transalp and the 790 stock to stock. I'm looking for a 75/25 road to gravel/forest service road bike. Most of my riding is scenic byway backroads with occasional forays on gravel/dirt roads. Any suggestions?
GoPro Hero 12 do over gremlins? I love the company - but not that camera. Tries to do too much. Mine has been a challenge with mic, too. Good luck - great stuff
Thanks for sharing :). It will be exciting to see what you think of it after a while, hope it remains problem-free. The new FS900 looks very promising :)
Hey Dork, I'm seriously considering picking one of these up. I have a deposit down on a black one. Question, Have you heard of any issues with the Tubeless Tire setup that KTM uses leaking air ? I've seen a few reports on the original 790/890. Apparently, some people have seen leaks from the spoke nipples/rim. Thanks and looking forward to more 790 content !
Love the Darn Tough socks, the snowmobiling/motorbike ones. Rode two 5-day off-road rides with them and my feet were happy throughout. The lifetime guarantee means I can amortize the initial high cost, I rationalized.
You've come a long way in your riding abilities, I almost miss your "we're all gonna die" videos lol.... Seriously though, I'm interested in seeing how this KTM works out for you. I was never a KTM fan until I owned one, my wife wants me to sell it or get more life insurance 🤣
I’m buying this 790 or the Transalp (full power) in the next month. I test road a Norman 901 last week (it’s what the dealer had) and my leg and butt got warm, wasn’t over 60f that day, so thinking of the 100f summers in Japan, have you noticed any heat on your 790? Do you feel like CFmoto make a better 790 than ktm makes and 890?
I really wanted a KTM ADV bike, but the questionable reliability loomed in the back of my mind. I don’t think KTM’s reliability issues are related to where the bikes are built, I think it is in the mechanical and electrical engineering. I suspect it’s a cultural issue within the engineering department.
Hi Ben, thank you for the awesome video. Got one about 3 weeks ago put about 700 miles on it both on and off-road. 2 things I noticed quick-shifter needs adjustment and the demo mode is good up to 930 miles. I am going next week for the 1st oil change. Are you planning to buy the full electric package? If not which components, will you get? I'm in GA dealer is asking $800 for the full package and programing.
@@DorkintheRoad I know it’s not doable , but we need 30.000 k . The little problems are not a problem . Worn camshafts and things that might ruin a vacation trip are . I’m thankfull that you are looking into this real world priced adv bike and approaching the testing the way you are. The bike will end up being the best mid priced adv bike but the problem lies in the long term. Thanks for your videos , they are brilliant !
Better suspension, heated seat, hydraulic clutch, more leg room, larger tank, better wind protection, adjustable screen. For me, anyway. The power is fun, makes me giggle, but I have it for the above reasons primarily.
@@advmike maybe if I had one bike, I'd go for a mid sized bike. Maybe a toureg. I have a Gas Gas ES700 for more difficult off-road riding. I'd probably have a 500 if I lived in Eastern Oregon.
Street riding with a passenger, plus can go off road when you want. I ride an bmw r1250 gsa. Having the power is great for road touring especially with the wife on the back. But with riding modes it’s controllable enough I can still go play on the dirt jumps I made for my 8 year old niece. Wouldn’t want to do too much bigger of jumps than that with it personally but still manageable off road even for my novice self.
Since selling my africa twin and getting the 790, I instantly feel so much more confident on it. And I know what you mean with the power, thing is quick, especially for the cc's and weight, and I'm still in break in Km's, keeping revs under 6k. Can't wait to see how it is full throttle.
Thanks Ben, just so you and others are aware, the Cycra ultra pro bend HCM hand guard covers bolt up perfectly on this bike…..just another option. No spacers required. Look forward to more videos on this bike from you. I am loving mine so far, it’s a hoot!
Definitely interested in the Tusk 2Tracks for my Transalp. I do a lot of canyon and freeway riding along with some off-road so please keep us posted on your thoughts/opinions on them please.
Just an FYI but the 790 and 890 Adventures have issues with the airbox not fully sealing around the air filter and, if left untouched, allows dust to bypass the filter and get sucked into the engine. Over time it causes valve issues. One solution is to grease around the air filter but the most recommended one is to add a second foam filter (a couple of companies, KTM included, make them) along with greasing that OEM filter. Since you ride off-road this is something you'll want to look into.
You're not wrong about it being quite capable and confidence inspiring. I picked this up as an upgrade for the girlfriend over her versus x300. She used to be falling behind at 30 miles an hour on the dirt. Now she leads doing upwards of 50 in some cases. It's only her second year riding. She says "it just feels so good and comfortable" lol we also have the Tusk two track tires. Overall I would say it's a great upgrade for somebody that is short. Oh and the maniacal laughter I was listening to over the cardo when she decided to give the throttle a little extra twist was very satisfying to my heart haha
Down at the Julian rally last year a guy in my group had an 890. We were on a trip up a fire road to a hilltop lookout. There were some ruts and he got caught by one that pushed him into a large bolder, The bolder hit the lower tank. The tank was fine but it bent the crap out of the little tank mount bracket. The tank was out of place causing the fuel line to rip off. He was able to close the fuel valve but with the tank bracket bent the he couldn't get the fuel line back on. Had to take the whole dang thing apart to beat the bracket close to rights. Even then it wouldn't go completely back together. He finally made it back to camp but the damage ended his weekend.
So, no crashbars for the 790 - just AXP skidplate and the H&B handguards - because the fuel tank design and its own in-built protection is that good. Is it the same then Ben, for the Norden 901? And if you had the 901 over again would you do the same (no crashbars) for it as the 790?
What do people on 1290’s do? 1: set the cruise control on 90 and still get decent fuel mileage 2: 3rd gear power wheelies and 4th gear clutch ups 3: Stop at the trail head to change the undies after a trail ride🤣. Seriously though. I put the throttle response in the Rally setting ONE time. NOPE, that’s for better riders than me. I keep it in Rally mode with Street throttle response. That said, since i got my T7 the 1290 has been sitting in the corner giving me that look. Later Dork and as usual, great vid and great scenery.
Nice video, is a good bike for commuting honestly? daily use (comfortable) and weekend touring, of perhaps recreation purpose? this is better than ktm 890 for my purpose ? I only drive on public roads/highways... it is wise to jump from naked bike to this touring/Adventure for daily use. Any way great video Be safe
So stoked you got this bike. I’m partial to Japanese bikes, but I’m intrigued by this one, so looking forward to seeing how you like it, and if course how reliable it is :)
@@bakanaman2 I’m just on the stock tires well. I haven’t committed to new tires yet. I really wish I could find knobbies in the factory size but everywhere I look, people have had to go up in size which kind of sucks to me.
@@itsTy21215 Yeah, I agree. I found a guy on one of the forums that went to the Shinko 804/805 combo. Yes, you have to go a little bigger which isn't great for that bike, but I may give it a try. I'm changing the front sprocket to a 15 or 16 to get a little more low end torque and hopefully make up for the bigger, heavier tires a bit.
@@bakanaman2 I would like to try it myself as well but I live in northwest Oklahoma and I can’t really afford to loose any top end. It’s all flat land here so we get 20+mph wind on a regular basis. I’m only able to do like 55 and sometimes 60 but the speed limit is 65 🤣 I definitely want some actual dirt tires though. I ride mostly gravel and clay roads so dirt tires would be far better
I really wish Yamaha would make an 800ish tenere and offer the same tech and specs of this ktm790 . Such a great bike on paper … but I just don’t trust ktms reliability.
Let us know about what you think about reliability. Seems to be the topic lacking in reviews. An important topic that for one reason or another……gets overlooked.
Just slapped a set of the Tusk 2Tracks on my T7, really impressed with them. A bit of a pain to spoon on, but I’m still learning so might just be me. 😂 my 1190 is like a rodeo bull off road when you get on the throttle, kinda addictive but definitely overkill.
I drive trucks in Alaska. Go up to Prudhoe often. Trucks on the haulroad are not as dangerous as a Subaru. I got a drz400 and vstrom650. Ride as often as i can.
Hiho fello 790 rider. Have you decided on additional crash bars as of yet? Technically I've got some low bars already, but hesitating fitting them because of the weight. The tanks already being crash ready is cool, but a part of me still thinks...will they really keep the bike in one piece?
Yeah I know it can be done but I wouldn't buy a bike unless I can at least put one point of contact down Tippy Toe or not. That and need to be able to get it off the kickstand I sat on an ibex 800 and couldn't even get it off. Did not try hard it was in between bikes I didn't want to topple over. I finally just bought one of those dead cat wind muff things from my microphone did not seem to do much difference and I heard scratching for the first time myself. I move the microphone and rode to work but haven't listened to see what it sounded like yet. Buying one of those external recorders for microphones or something figuring out how it works. Broke as hell is always and there's more important things that need to be taken care of first.
the outro track (the very beginning) reminds me old Polish youth song ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fJKRESz8ZhE.htmlsi=eqazNzzVZNuj5JMO&t=54
Since it is a KTM, and like Bill&Ted I can only think it is Evil robot Dork riding it.. Looking forward to more Evil Dork's KTM 790 Bogus Adventures.... Evil me might pick one of these up... Cheers!
Got almost 600 miles on my 790. Loving it so far. I went with a smaller wind deflector and it made a massive difference also. Did you pay for the tech pack? That is my only complaint. Was never even informed at the dealer Id lose cruise, rally mode, quickshifter, ect... at 1000k miles. I really like having the cruise and KTM told me I could get it separately for $300 plus 1hr labor to have it enabled. Thanks for the video. Definitely getting that seat cover.
I have three bikes on my mid-range list. This one, the BMW F900GS and The Honda Africa Twin. The only reason that this bike is not the only one on the list is the reliability rumors I've heard. I've heard them about BMW also, and the Honda is at the top of the price range. Looking forward to your honest reviews coming up. I want this bike to be the one.
Could you consider to do an adventure series on scooter. I would be very interested to see (real)motorbike man touring and camping and driving those roads by X-ADV 750 DCT, or even ADV 350 cvt. Hello from 40 C° Thailand.
If you take the rear side panels, and the rear rack handles off, your Mosko or Tusk 40 or 80 bags fit much closer to the frame for better handling and won't haze your side panels. Put the panels back on when not using the bags.
I'm not sure why it's suggested that lowering your seat height is somehow a copout, cheating or makes you less of a purist rider? I was actually going to sell my KTM before I shaved the seat down almost an inch and a half. I gained so much more balance, maneuverability and finesse with the lower seat height (and I'm over 6')... and actually started to love my KTM, which I still have today. That higher seat height was dangerous in my situation.
I really like my 890 S. If I ever get another KTM down the line it'll likely be a 790. Like you said - plenty of power for offroad and cheaper than a 890.
It’s not about how much HP the 1200s have at 10,000 rpm - it’s about the extra power and torque they make at 20 mph in 2nd. And, of course - the 1,200 miles you hammered out in a day and a half on the slab to get there!
