Base vs. R: 200 Instead of 240 mm of Travel, 840 Instead of 880 mm Seat Height, Road Tires Instead of an Enduro Tread

Anyone buying—or considering—a KTM 890 Adventure always faced the same question: base or R? The engine is identical. The frame is identical. The electronics are largely identical. What differs is the concept. The base model has 200 mm of suspension travel, 40 mm less than the R. It has a lower seat height—840 mm in the low position and 860 mm in the high position—a larger adjustable windshield with better wind protection, and Pirelli Scorpion STR tires from the factory, genuine touring dual-sport rubber for asphalt and occasional gravel. The R, by contrast, runs Mitas Enduro Trail tires for more serious off-road work, has an 880 mm seat height, and is tuned around dirt use.

In everyday life, that makes the base model the more accessible motorcycle. Riders under 1.80 meters who do not primarily ride off-road are better served by it. The 840 mm seat setting allows secure footing at traffic lights, while the R’s 880 mm can force shorter riders onto their toes. The adjustable windshield on the base model also provides noticeably better protection on highway stages than the R’s low, fixed off-road screen.

Engine: Identical to the R—105 hp, 100 Nm, Broad Usable Range, Very Little Vibration

The 889 cc LC8c parallel twin produces 105 hp and 100 Nm, exactly the same engine used in the 890 Adventure R. It responds cleanly in all three riding modes—Rain, Street, and Offroad—and offers a broad usable range from roughly 2,500 to almost 9,000 rpm. Its strong drive, precise throttle response, and high level of refinement have earned the Mattighofen twin plenty of fans. Two balance shafts keep primary vibration under control. The engine sounds distinctive but refined.

Ride-by-Wire, Euro 5, a six-speed transmission, slipper clutch, and chain final drive are standard. Demo Mode is included: for the first 1,500 km, all optional software packages are unlocked, including Rally mode, Quickshifter+, cruise control, and Motor Slip Regulation. After that, the rider decides which features to retain as paid options. KTM quotes fuel consumption at 4.5 L/100 km. With a 20-liter tank, that produces a theoretical range of around 400 km. Service intervals are 15,000 km.

Suspension: 43 mm WP APEX, 200 mm of Travel, Adjustable From MY2023—More Comfortable Than the R, but Not an Off-Road Specialist

From model year 2023, KTM revised the base model’s suspension and made it adjustable. The 43 mm WP APEX upside-down fork allows compression and rebound damping to be adjusted at the fork caps, while the rear shock offers adjustable rebound and spring preload. The adjustment range is less extensive than on the 890 Adventure R, but sufficient to adapt the motorcycle meaningfully to rider weight. The 200 mm of suspension travel is solid for an adventure bike. Riders who tackle serious terrain will reach its limits sooner than on the R; riders using gravel roads, farm tracks, and fast mountain passes will find the setup convincing.

The brakes are identical across the 890 range: twin 320 mm front discs with radially mounted four-piston calipers and a 260 mm rear disc with a two-piston caliper. Cornering ABS is standard. Offroad ABS activates automatically in Offroad or Rally mode. The 21/18-inch wire-spoke wheels are tubeless, allowing roadside puncture repair with a conventional plug kit. Pirelli Scorpion STR tires are standard, a touring dual-sport design with a clear asphalt bias. Riders planning more gravel can switch to Mitas Enduro Trail or Metzeler Karoo 4 tires.

Ergonomics: 840/860 mm, Adjustable Windshield, Two-Piece Seat—Better for Two-Up Riding Than the R

Seat height is adjustable between 840 and 860 mm, putting the base model 40 mm lower than the R. That makes a noticeable difference in everyday use. KTM PowerParts also offered a lowering kit that reduced seat height to 800 mm, a useful option for very short riders. The windshield is larger and adjustable. The result is very little helmet turbulence at highway speed. The R’s screen is fixed and low because its priorities are off-road.

The two-piece seat is designed around long-distance comfort and is better suited to passenger use than the R’s one-piece rally seat. The 5.5-inch TFT display, upgraded for MY2023 with mineral glass and an anti-glare coating, presents riding information clearly and supports KTM Connect for navigation, music control, and phone functions over Bluetooth. Two forged aluminum mounts at the front add stiffness even with a large GPS or navigation unit installed. Fully fueled weight is 215 kg. A 6D sensor manages cornering ABS, MTC, and Wheelie Control.

Handling: Sporty, Accessible, Versatile—the Motorcycle for Riders Who Refuse to Choose Between Road and Gravel

The standard 890 Adventure does exactly what its name suggests: it is a motorcycle for adventure-oriented high-mileage riders who spend most of their time on asphalt but occasionally turn onto gravel. The 105 hp twin is entertaining—friendly at low rpm and lively higher up. Traction control is more finely calibrated than on older versions, and in Offroad mode it permits more slip than you might expect. The 890 bridges the gap from relaxed trail riding to harder use. Gravel, farm roads, and moderately demanding terrain are handled confidently even on the road-oriented tires.

Within the 890 family, the decision is straightforward. Riders under 1.80 meters who mix road and gravel, occasionally carry a passenger, and value highway wind protection should choose the base model. Riders who spend more time off-road, tolerate the taller seat, and want maximum suspension travel should choose the R. Outside the family, alternatives include the Honda XL750 Transalp E-Clutch with 91.8 hp and less off-road focus, the Yamaha Ténéré 700 with lower weight, less power, and a lower price, and the BMW F 900 GS with more touring comfort at a higher price.

Why the Base 890 Disappeared From Germany for MY2025/2026

KTM removed the standard 890 Adventure from the German lineup for MY2025/2026. No official reason was given. The source text assumes that KTM considered the gap to the less expensive 790 Adventure—built by CFMOTO in China since MY2023—too small. The 790 Adventure now occupies the price segment previously served by the base 890, while the 890 Adventure R covers the higher end. The result is a clear gap: there is no longer an 890 model with the lower seat, road-oriented tires, and adjustable windshield. Riders looking for that combination are directed to the used market, where MY2021–2024 examples remain readily available.

Cost: From Around EUR 14,449 for MY2023—MY2024 Similar; Used Values Remain Stable

The standard 890 Adventure started at EUR 14,449 in Germany for MY2023, with MY2024 priced in a similar range. That was roughly EUR 1,000 less than the R at the time. On the used market, MY2023/24 motorcycles currently sit at around EUR 10,000 to EUR 12,500 depending on condition and equipment. The long 15,000 km service intervals and the more mature engine compared with earlier LC8c generations supports long-term value. KTM provided a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty; the four-year Premium Warranty applies only from MY2025 onward.

Verdict

The standard KTM 890 Adventure was the right motorcycle for riders who wanted 105 hp and the LC8c character but considered an 840 mm seat, proper wind protection, and touring-oriented tires a more useful everyday combination than knobbies and maximum suspension travel. KTM has withdrawn it from Germany. The 790 Adventure now fills the price gap.

 

Quick Check

+ 105 hp and 100 Nm—identical to the R; broad usable rev range with very little vibration.

+ 840/860 mm seat height—40 mm lower than the R; PowerParts lowering kit could reduce it to 800 mm.

+ Adjustable windshield: substantially better wind protection than the R; source cites ADAC confirmation of no helmet turbulence.

+ 43 mm WP APEX USD fork: adjustable for compression and rebound from MY2023; rear shock adjustable for preload and rebound.

+ 200 mm suspension travel: sufficient for road, gravel, and light off-road use.

+ Pirelli Scorpion STR standard: touring dual-sport tire, better suited to asphalt than the R’s Mitas Enduro Trail.

+ Tubeless 21/18-inch wire-spoke wheels: roadside puncture repairs possible.

+ Twin 320 mm front brakes with radial four-piston calipers; cornering ABS; automatic Offroad ABS.

+ Two-piece seat: better passenger comfort than the R.

+ 5.5-inch TFT with mineral glass from MY2023; KTM Connect; navigation, music, phone.

+ Demo Mode: all software options free for the first 1,500 km.

+ 20-liter tank: around 400 km range; 15,000 km service interval.

 

– No longer available in Germany from MY2025/2026—used market or export markets only.

– 200 mm suspension travel: clearly less capable for serious off-road use than the R’s 240 mm.

– Pirelli Scorpion STR: too road-oriented for ambitious off-road riding; an enduro tire conversion is recommended.

– 215 kg fully fueled: not light for off-road use.

– MY2024 warranty was two years; the four-year Premium Warranty applies only from MY2025.

– Rally mode, Quickshifter+, and other features cost extra after Demo Mode expires.

 

Technical Specifications: KTM 890 Adventure (Base, MY2024)

Country of Manufacture: Austria, KTM Mattighofen

Engine: LC8c parallel twin, 889 cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, Ride-by-Wire, Euro 5; slipper clutch

Power: 77 kW / 105 hp

Torque: 100 Nm

Transmission: Six-speed; chain final drive; Quickshifter+ available through Demo Mode / paid option

Riding Modes / Electronics: Street, Rain, Offroad + optional Rally mode; 6D sensor; cornering ABS; Offroad ABS automatic in Offroad/Rally; MTC; Wheelie Control; Demo Mode with all options free for first 1,500 km

Frame: Chrome-molybdenum steel trellis frame; engine as stressed member; 63.7-degree steering-head angle, same as R

Fork: 43 mm WP APEX Open Cartridge USD; 200 mm travel; adjustable for compression and rebound from MY2023

Rear Shock: WP APEX monoshock; 200 mm travel; adjustable spring preload and rebound from MY2023

Suspension vs. R: 40 mm less travel, 200 vs. 240 mm; more road-oriented setup; lower seat height

Front Brakes: Twin 320 mm discs; radial four-piston calipers; cornering ABS

Rear Brake: 260 mm disc; two-piston caliper; Offroad ABS

Wheels: Tubeless wire-spoke wheels; 21-inch front, 18-inch rear

Tires: 90/90-21 front; 150/70-18 rear; Pirelli Scorpion STR standard

Windshield: Adjustable, larger than R

Seat: Two-piece; 840 mm low / 860 mm high; PowerParts lowering kit to 800 mm

Display: 5.5-inch TFT with mineral glass from MY2023; KTM Connect; navigation, music, phone

Weight: 215 kg fully fueled

Wheelbase: 1,528 mm

Fuel Tank: 20 liters; approx. 400 km range at 4.5 L/100 km

Service Interval: 15,000 km

License: A

Availability in Germany: MY2021–2024; no longer in German lineup from MY2025/2026; available used

Price in Germany, MY2024: Approx. EUR 14,449–15,000 plus ancillary charges

Warranty: 2 years for MY2024; four-year Premium Warranty applies only from MY2025