2017 KTM 1090 Adventure R: FIRST LOOK
Rennie Scaysbrook | October 4, 2016
KTM will be going head-to head with Honda’s hugely popular Africa Twin with the announcement of the 2017 1090 Adventure.
KTM’s answer to the all-conquering Honda Africa Twin.
Powered by a 1050cc 75° V-twin pumping out 125hp and 80lb-ft of torque, we’re predicting the 1090 Adventure R will be an even bigger hit than the 1290 Super Adventure R due to its lower weight that will make the bike easier to handle in the really gnarly off-road sections.
This 1090 Adventure R looks essentially the same as the previous generation 1190 Adventure, with nearly unchanged aesthetics, slightly revised colors, the same 320mm/four piston caliper front braking and ABS system and the same 48mm WP front and PDS rear, fully adjustable suspension that provides 220mm of wheel travel.
The wheels are 21-inch front and 18-inch rear items, fitted with Continental TKC80 Twinduro tires as standard.
The chassis gets the R-only orange paint, matching the standard crash bar that protects components like the tank and radiators from when, not if, this thing goes down in hardcore off-road situations.
Unfortunately for the 1090 Adventure R riders, they won’t be getting the new 6.5” TFT color display dash, and will instead use the same dash as fitted to the previous generation 1190 Adventure.
2017 KTM 1090 ADVENTURE R Highlights
- Revised fully adjustable WP USD front forks with separate compression and rebound systems for offroad domination.
- Fully adjustable WP PDS (Progressive Damping System) rear monoshock for greater control and bottoming resistance.
- Tubeless 21- and 18-inch wheels fitted with Continental TKC 80 tires for excellent offroad performance with sure-foot street manners.
- Highly developed 125 HP LC8 V-Twin with dual-plug ignition, cutting-edge Keihin engine management, electronic fuel injection, Ride-by-Wire technology and slipper clutch.
- Motorcycle Stability Control (MSC) package with multi-mode Combined ABS, ride mode technology and multi-mode traction control (MTC)
- Four-mode traction control (MTC) including Sport, Street, Offroad and Rain settings allow the rider to fine tune the power application in any situation.
- Offroad ABS mode allows for dirt-specific ABS application on the front wheel while disengaging the rear ABS for brake slides and total control in the dirt.
- Strong trellis frame made from chrome-molybdenum steel for optimal handling on the street and in the dirt.
- Adjustable foot pegs, handle bars, and wind shield
- Integrated pannier mounts
For more Cycle News Adventure motorcycle reviews, click HERE.
For more KTM motorcycle reviews, click HERE.
