KTM releases even tricker ‘Rally’ version of 790 Adventure R

Alan Dowds

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23rd June 2019

None more orange, or tall

Not content with its critically-acclaimed new 790 Adventure, nor the posh ‘R’ version, the Matighoffen massive has come up with an even more hardcore version of the middleweight twin – this, the new 790 Adventure R Rally. Limited to a production run of just 500, the Rally version comes with a whole new suspension setup, for even more performance offroad, and a selection of sweet offroad bolt-ons. It even comes with *narrower* wheels, for an even more offroad-biased tyre choice – perhaps the only race-rep bike which gets skinnier rims…

The big story is the suspension, with WP, KTM’s own suspension firm, rolling out the big guns. The stock ‘R’ has some pretty slick springing, but this is another level. Quite literally – the seat height is now a vertiginous 910mm, with an extra 30mm of wheel travel front and rear. The front fork is a WP XPLOR PRO 7548 unit, which uses cone-valve technology generally only seen on proper offroad racers. That funky front end is matched to a WP XPLOR PRO 6746 rear shock, which is fully adjustable and uses the firm’s PDS progressive damping system. Again, it’s a refugee from the offroad race paddock, and will give class-leading performance in the dirt.

Away from the suspension, you get the same acclaimed 95bhp parallel twin engine, in a steel tube trellis frame. The Rally has an Akrapovic exhaust and quickshifter fitted as standard, while the bodywork boasts carbon fibre tank protectors, clear winglets and screen, and a new high straight racing seat, plus Rally footpegs.

KTM’s CMO Hubert Trunkenpolz sounded very excited about it all. “Quite simply, we’ve built the KTM 790 ADVENTURE R RALLY because we can! At KTM we continually try to push ourselves and the development of our products – this is the READY TO RACE way. We have the equipment at our disposal and we know how to make a truly special bike for our hardcore customers. With its Pro Components range, WP offers suspension close to the same level used by the Dakar-winning Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Rally team on the KTM 450 RALLY. The new KTM 790 ADVENTURE R RALLY is exactly as it says: A rally bike ready for any adventure.”