Although the WP XPLOR suspension are the same units as in the 790 Adventure R, KTM have revised their settings for the 890 R and taken a bit of the off-road focus out of their road settings.
While KTM still have suggested on and off-road suspension settings on a sticker under the seat, which are quick and easy to input through the onboard tool kit, the road settings are now firmer and make the R more settled when you up the pace.
Related: KTM 890 Duke R review
It’s only a click here and there but it makes the difference, although the tyres remain the limiting factor... The 890 R features KTM’s latest version of their traction control system (MTC), which now independently monitors wheel slip and pitch angle and is also faster in its reaction time, and also an uprated brake master cylinder delivering more feel.
On the road the ABS and MTC often prove their worth as the Metzeler Karoo 3 tyres are very chunky in their tread and that means when you are powering out of a low speed corner the rear often lets go, especially in the wet or on polished tarmac, and the twin radial brakes easily overwhelm the front tyre’s grip.
When this happens the MTC system is smooth to intervene and only really abrupt when the bike is upright and it is preventing a wheelie and the ABS is equally effective.
Should you engage ‘Rally’ mode (an optional extra) you have the option of 9 different levels of traction control slip while the dedicated off-road ABS setting (standard fitment) deactivates the angle sensitivity as well as the ABS function to the rear but retains some ABS at the front. The ABS can be deactivated completely if you wish for off-road use
9.8bhp and 8.8ftlb peak performance, a reworked gearbox and a reinforced clutch.
While the power and torque gains seem marginal on paper, to ride the 890 motor is far more refined than the 790 engine and as well as less mechanical noise is smoother and more enjoyable to use with far fewer intrusive vibrations thanks to new balancer shafts.
Related: How to ride your motorbike off-road
It still has the quick-revving nature that made the 790 so engaging, and is more than fast enough for road and off-road use, however it now has the rough edges knocked off and is better for it.
Overall it feels a more developed motor than the 790 and although there is still a slight tendency to stall at lower revs, which is annoying, it’s a noticeable step up in terms of its manners and performance.
The tweaked gearbox is beautifully slick and with the optional quickshifter (which has also been updated) snicks up and down the box with ease
