Test: KTM 790 Adventure (2020) // The Right Choice for Desert Adventure

I started from Marrakech, immediately drove around the bends to Casablanca, and then less than a week later I made a circular route along the Atlantic coast to Laayoune in Western Sahara. On the way back to the north, I drove through Smara, Tan-Tan and before the final I crossed the Tizin Test pass, which is considered the most dangerous in Africa. Why am I explaining this? Because I want to point out that I have tried this on a wide variety of roads. The KTM 790 Adventure has always performed extremely well in these varied conditions.

If you look at it from the front and from the back, then it has an unusual shape. The large plastic tank is copied from rally cars and holds 20 liters of fuel. This gives the motorcycle an extremely comfortable center of gravity and therefore excellent steering characteristics and lightness on the handlebars. Sometimes this was enough for almost a whole day of driving on a winding road. Real autonomy is about 300 kilometers. On the road, where there are no gas stations around every corner, I refueled every 250 kilometers.

The engine runs well with no shaking, the gearbox is precise and quick, and the clutch gives a good leverage feel. With 95 horses, it has enough power to move, and it is also very lively in the corners, where it shows its sporty character that is hidden behind every KTM. The only thing I can say about the brakes and suspension is that they are top notch and allow very sporty cornering. Like the rest of the bike, the seat is more sport-oriented than comfort-oriented.

The first and second days were the worst, the back side just suffered. Then I obviously got used to the hard seat, and it helped a little to be able to stand on my feet while driving. Undoubtedly, my first investment in riding this motorcycle would have been a more comfortable seat. Otherwise, I can still praise the good wind protection and excellent driving position. I already knew that he rides very well off-road.

• Basic data

  Sales: Axle, doo, Koper, 05 6632 366, www.axle.si, Seles moto, doo, Grosuplje, 01 7861 200, [e-mail], www.seles.si.

  Base model price: 12.690 €

  Test model cost: 12.690 €

• Technical information

  engine: two-cylinder, in-line, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 4 valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection, displacement: 799 cm3

  Power: 70 kW (95 km) at 8.000 rpm

  Torque: 88 Nm at 6.600 rpm

We praise and reproach

ease of driving on the road and in the field

live engine

precise and agile when cornering

windshield protection

driving position

hard seat

unusual appearance

final grade

Bottom Line: Asphalt road, mountain pass curves, long desert plains or rubble, or even real terrain under wheels is not too much of a challenge for this KTM. But a bit lacking in comfort.