Uploaded October 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Most KTM 790 Adventure reviews cover specs, horsepower, and first impressions. This one doesn't. After putting real miles on the 790 R (off-road training, BDR runs, a 3,500-mile road trip, and international travel) here are the details that actually matter: the things that work brilliantly, the things that will surprise you on the trail, and the things KTM seriously needs to fix.
In this video:
1. Suspension setup for off-road (the rear shock comes from the factory wrong — here's how to fix it)
2. The off-center valve stem problem and why it matters on the trail
3. Electronics: why the traction control and ABS are both excellent and deeply frustrating
4. Brake rotor issues — what's failing, what KTM is (and isn't) covering under warranty
5. Skid plate reality check
6. Handlebar adjustability and why I switched to Pro Taper EVO bars
7. Heat management, cruise control, and the warranty documentation strategy that actually works
I've been riding motorcycles since 1989 and teaching for 30 years. I don't pull punches on gear reviews, and I'm not pulling them here. If you're deciding between the 790 and the 890 — or comparing the S vs. the R — watch this before you buy.
Training camps (Idaho, Virginia, Georgia, Oregon, Washington): brettkacs.com/training
More ADV riding content: youtube.com/brettkacs
#KTM790Adventure #ADVmotorcycle #KTM790R #AdventureRiding #MotorcycleReview #ADVriding #KTM890 #BretTkacs
Most KTM 790 Adventure reviews cover specs, horsepower, and first impressions. This one doesn't. After putting real miles on the 790 R (off-road training, BDR runs, a 3,500-mile road trip, and international travel) here are the details that actually matter: the things that work brilliantly, the things that will surprise you on the trail, and the things KTM seriously needs to fix.
In this video:
1. Suspension setup for off-road (the rear shock comes from the factory wrong — here's how to fix it)
2. The off-center valve stem problem and why it matters on the trail
3. Electronics: why the traction control and ABS are both excellent and deeply frustrating
4. Brake rotor issues — what's failing, what KTM is (and isn't) covering under warranty
5. Skid plate reality check
6. Handlebar adjustability and why I switched to Pro Taper EVO bars
7. Heat management, cruise control, and the warranty documentation strategy that actually works
I've been riding motorcycles since 1989 and teaching for 30 years. I don't pull punches on gear reviews, and I'm not pulling them here. If you're deciding between the 790 and the 890 — or comparing the S vs. the R — watch this before you buy.
Training camps (Idaho, Virginia, Georgia, Oregon, Washington): brettkacs.com/training
More ADV riding content: youtube.com/brettkacs
#KTM790Adventure #ADVmotorcycle #KTM790R #AdventureRiding #MotorcycleReview #ADVriding #KTM890 #BretTkacs
