RUST magazine: RUST #44

KTM 790 Adventure R Review
Whilst the seat is a bit of a letdown,
the suspension is at the other end of
the pleasure-pain spectrum – and
most probably the best suspension
you’ll find on an adventure bike in the
800cc segment. Up front are the fully
adjustable 48mm WP closed cartridge
Xplor forks – but what does that mean?
For you and me – your average Joes –
it means it’s got the suspension of an
enduro bike and we won’t need more or
better, either on- or off-road. The rear
WP shock has PDS, which technically
stands for Progression Damping
System but in layman’s terms stands
for Pleasure During Speed. So, engine
– good. Suspension – stunning. Seat
– not so good. Fuel range of 190 miles –
practical. In summary, it’s a good road
bike but not a phenomenal one.
OFF-ROAD HOOLIGANISM
This is where this beautiful machine
really shines. And this is where it makes
an average off-road rider like me feel
like a god. It boosts your confidence. For
the off-road testing we took part in a
roadbook navigation challenge called the
IoM500, organised by the hardworking
guys at RallyMoto. A 500km combined
on- and off-road course around the Isle
of Man, the course had everything from
wide plantation trails, to narrow goat
trails with tight corners, to fire roads,
to some challenging rocky uphills and
downhills – a real everything course.
And here the 790 was just grand. The
bike’s lightish weight combined with the
low centre of gravity and the superior
suspension meant the trails were a
match made in heaven for the 790.
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