The KTM 890 Adventure R Rally is coming to Canada as a highly limited-edition model in 2024. It’s a high-spec bike in its own right, covered in race-bred parts. But if you buy one, it also opens up the opportunity for an overseas adventure in the African desert, with famous KTM rally raid racers!
Built for performance
KTM has offered an 890 Adventure R Rally before, but North American availability has always been iffy. Now, it’s confirmed for 2024 in our country, as we get a small allotment of the 700-strong worldwide production run.
This machine is basically an 890 Adventure with a lot of high-spec parts thrown on—the engine is unchanged, so expect more-or-less the same horsepower (an Akropovic exhaust is included, which will change the sound and reduce weight but probably doesn’t add much, if any, muscle). As well the electronics package is stuff we’ve seen before. KTM’s Connectivity Unit and Tech Pack features are installed, so expect turn-by-turn GPS instructions, a quickshifter and safety features such as leaning-sensitive ABS and TC systems (which can be adjusted or turned off for off-road riding).
The changes to hard parts include new suspension from WP’s Pro Components catalog, including a WP XPLOR PRO 6746 shock and XPLOR PRO 7548 fork, with cone-valve internals. Of course, these components are fully-adjustable; they come with 270 mm of travel front and back, which is 70 mm more than a standard KTM 890 Adventure. There is also a carbon-fibre tank guard protecting the 890’s wraparound gas tank, and several other add-on guards protecting key elements for off-road riding.
There’s a rally-style seat and footpegs, and rims come from Excel, with the 21-inch front and 18-inch rear chosen for their rugged dirt capability.
All in all, KTM says this machine has add-on parts that are equivalent to the bike that Kevin Benavides rode to triumph at the Dakar Rally earlier this year. That’s a big claim, and we don’t expect this 890 to compete with 450 rally bikes like Benavides’ machine—but it would be no shocker to see the 890 Adventure R Rally entered in the slowly-growing big-bore rally raid scene, at events like the Africa ECO Race.
Asking price in Canada is $27,194, which includes MSRP of $25,999 and other fees such as a $795 freight bill, but not taxes. And of course, your dealership or government may tack on other fees as well. That’s a lot of money, but if you’re interested, you’ve got two weeks to start saving—pre-orders open on September 20.
An exclusive trip
The 890 Adventure R Rally comes with the opportunity to also sign up for a spot at the Ultimate KTM Desert Experience. There are 34 seats available, with dates of March 3-7 or 7-11 in 2024. You’ll ride in Morocco, in the desert, with guides and former KTM racers alongside—see more details from KTM’s PR below:
… KTM has organized an exclusive opportunity to join offroad KTM legends (like Johnny Aubert) at the ULTIMATE KTM DESERT EXPERIENCE. The event will take place in Morocco, with two groups having the option to choose from two dates: 3-7 March or 7-11 March, 2024. Participants are looking to be offered a full-factory style package including the use of a fully prepped bike provided by KTM with all the necessary technical support required for desert exploration, transport during the trip and luxury accommodation for a four-night stay, plus one special night camping with KTM in the desert for the total price of $5,400 USD. With three days of riding in the area that the KTM Factory Racing Team carries out their Rally testing, a dedicated and fully guided route, and a prepared KTM 890 ADVENTURE R RALLY, this event will be a trip of a lifetime.
