890 vs 790

Blwnbyu · Apr 12, 2020

Spent the day riding my new 890R. Picked it up this morning and transfered the exhaust, mirrors and tail tidy off of my 790.. I have to say, the difference between the two bikes is NIGHT AND DAY. Unfortunately, KTM seems to be having an issue and pulled the tech pack from being available for download, so I don't have the quickshifter or other goodies yet. On a plus note, I did find the Akro EVO map in the options on my dealers tablet, so that is available for cat deletes. The biggest difference between the two bikes comes from the tires IMO.. The turn in on the 890 is incredible. It WANTS to corner. It lays down so easily it's insane. Also, there is a BIG torque difference from Idle to redline. Peak horsepower on the top end isn't that noticeable, which is fine, but you feel the the torque through the whole rev range. The suspension is more controlled and firm, and the brakes are outstanding. I was head over heals in love with this bike until it overheated. I had to pull over and let it cool down on a 45 mph road at around 55* F. I don't know if the cooling system was not burped properly or what. This happened at around 100 miles on the ODO after a morning of faster riding. I checked and noticed the fan wasn't coming on, so I checked all the fuses, which were ok, and wiggled the relays. Wiggling the relays seemed to do the job. But, the 890 still heats up idling, even with the fan on, while my 790 can Idle all day long and never get above 4 bars.. I don't know what the issue is here yet, but I have an incredible dealer and we will get it figured out..

*Update Today.
Since I have both bikes, I can do some testing. It's currently only about 35 degrees out, so I fired both bikes up in the driveway and let them idle. The 890R got to 4 bars in half the time that the 790 did. I video'd the whole warmup process. Both fans turned on at the top of 4 bars but the 890R kept climbing in termperature, eventually hitting 7 bars while the 790 was still at 4. I ended up shutting the 890 Down at 7 bars and let the 790 run for another few minutes, FINALLY hitting 5 bars with the fan running constantly. I will be taking the 890 back to the dealer on Monday. It has 130 miles on it, and the 790 is at 740. I've never seen the 790 above 5 bars.

Noticeable Differences between 790 and 890R
Mirrors.. The 890 factory mirrors look alot better.
Front Turn Signals are slightly revised.
TFT display is slightly different with different menus and displays. Size is still the same.
Black Tank
Tires. If you put these tires on the 790 It will turn it into a different kind of monster
Handle Bars on the 890 have alot less rise. I can post pictures of the two if you guys wish.
The daytime running light uses a different part of the LED headlight.
The 890 is SLIGHTLY louder with my SC exhaust than the 790 was.
890 owners packet is now a cheap chinese zipper bag instead of the traditional KTM hard zippered pouch.

890r by BLWNBYU, on Flickr

YoungLion · Apr 12, 2020

Happy, and sad for you! Thanks for the review!

Question - are the lower bars and higher pegs noticeable on the 890R or is it a very minor change?

Blwnbyu · Apr 12, 2020

YoungLion said:
Happy, and sad for you! Thanks for the review!

Question - are the lower bars and higher pegs noticeable on the 890R or is it a very minor change?

Barely Noticeable. But, like I said, the difference in Turn-In is INSANE.. Night and Day different cornering bikes.. I hate any straight stretch of road just because this thing corners so well, although I'm guessing the tires will only last 1500 miles...

Also, the menus in the displays are different. The 890R is setup for KTM heated grips which can be activated in the menus. That's a nice feature. I ordered the MYride Box as well, so I look forward to checking it out since I ride with galaxy buds in. Still waiting on an answer from KTM about not being able to load the Tech Pack.

Here is the EVO map in the KTM tablet, so I do know that flash is available. I kept the stock tune for now. Glad I did.

20200410_215256 by BLWNBYU, on Flickr

Here is the 890R display

20200411_171733 by BLWNBYU, on Flickr

VS the 790

20200411_171730 by BLWNBYU, on Flickr

And my overheating...

20200410_165214 by BLWNBYU, on Flickr

Pat rides · Apr 12, 2020

Great post 👍
I was thinking that the rev limit supposed to be higher on the 890 like 10500rpm ?

Blwnbyu · Apr 12, 2020

It will be after the 600 mile break in.. I just got my 790 out of the lower break in limit last week.

colombo · Apr 12, 2020

Have you checked the radiator to see if there's anything in it?

Blwnbyu · Apr 12, 2020

Of course.. Overflow is where it is at full. Not pushing coolant. No bubbles. No coolant in Oil. I cannot see anything visually wrong..

648 · Apr 12, 2020

Something sounds strange wt your cooling, doesn’t seem the norm. Any further developments?

Pgm · Apr 12, 2020

I would like to see the difference in handlebars if possible please, hope your dealer sorts the overheating issue quickly for you so you can get out and give us more feedback.

Blwnbyu · Apr 12, 2020

790 Bar

20200412_093032 by BLWNBYU, on Flickr

890R Bar

20200412_093024 by BLWNBYU, on Flickr

YoungLion · Apr 12, 2020

Any chance you can measure the height on both from the triple area to the top of the rise?

648 · Apr 12, 2020

Thermostat is working correctly?

Blwnbyu · Apr 13, 2020

HERE is a video to show what's happening.. The bottom of the radiator is staying cold on the 890 while the whole Radiator is at temp on the 790.. So I conclude 1 of 3 things. Thermostat sticking, radiator blockage or bad water pump. My parts guy bought a 1290 SA last year brand new. It was assembled without a water pump impeller... I really feel that could be the case here too..

Mayhem · Apr 13, 2020

Here's to hoping it's just a

🚽🧻 thermostat holding you up.

Lonster · Apr 13, 2020

I picked up my 890 yesterday morning. They had installed the techpak on friday, and it is ALL in there. Quickshifter, track pack, etc. I put 178 miles of twisties on it for the initial break in. Some serious hard riding. No over heating issues at all. Never got above 4 bars. The tires are great. No chicken strips on the rear and about 1/8th on the front tire. Suspension works GREAT in the stock settings for my weight. I thought I saw a preload adjustment in the owners manual, but i will have to double check. More later.

Blwnbyu · Apr 13, 2020

I DEFINITELY have a coolant flow issue that other guys do not.

It's interesting you could add the Tech Pack. When my dealer looks it up on KTM's site, it says 636 after all of the options and does not allow you to add them. They have never seen this before. This was Friday Morning. It didn't say that on Thursday.

20200410_125703 by BLWNBYU, on Flickr

648 · Apr 13, 2020

So glad you fellas are loving your 890’s. 🤩

Guest · Apr 13, 2020

Blwnbyu- thorough diagnosing, hope you get it sorted soon.

Great info guys, keep it coming!

Pgm · Apr 13, 2020

The bars look quite a bit lower?
Thought I might order some until I saw the price £111.00 whereas the power parts set are £86.00 I can’t be doing with the orange tho.

Blwnbyu · Apr 13, 2020

Pgm said:
The bars look quite a bit lower?
Thought I might order some until I saw the price £111.00 whereas the power parts set are £86.00 I can’t be doing with the orange tho.

The 890 is CONSIDERABLY taller but the bars have alot less rise. The bar height still ends up being higher off the ground, but lower compared to the seat. Even though the 890 is taller, it lays down much much more quickly. The handling is by far the biggest difference between the two.

watarski · Apr 16, 2020

@Blwnbyu - did you ever get the overheating issue sorted with the dealer?

Blwnbyu · Apr 16, 2020

Working on it. I dropped the bike back off with my dealer Monday and gave them the video I had. They are a REALLY REALLY good dealership that takes care of me like none other. They ordered a new Thermostat Monday just because that is likely what it was. It won't be here until Friday. Yesterday they pulled the water pump off and inspected it.. All is good there. They are waiting until the Thermostat shows up to pull the radiator and Thermostat just because they don't want my bike sitting there torn apart. The KTM rep suspects the thermostat could have been installed backwards from the factory. They will confirm whether that is the case Friday.

They DID get the Tech Pack installed. KTM changed how you purchase and install the electronic packages BUT DIDN'T TELL ANYONE... So that is why they were unable to get it done last week. To purchase and install electronics, it is now done STRICTLY from the Tablet. Before, you would buy them through the KTM dealer website under the bikes VIN and then hook the tablet to it and it would be unlocked.

So, we are learning.

They are also installing the MYRIDE module while the radiator is off because the tank shrouds will already be off.

I also purchased the KTM heated grips, and we are trying to figure out how they are supposed to work because the 890 has the heated grips in the Options Menu, while the 790 does not. The grips that KTM specifies for BOTH bikes includes the bar mount switch, which I obviously don't want to use. We are thinking you just don't use the switch on the 890 but we have yet to confirm.

Guest · Apr 16, 2020

Blwnbyu-

Great info, keep it coming!

If you have the time please inquire about the cruise control. It is supossed to be an option for the 890 according to KTMs website for the 890, and the 790 Adventure for that matter. Reason I ask is it would be nice if it could also be fitted somehow to the 790 (silly why it isn't an option already).I mean how "different" could the electronics and wiring harness be?

Regardless, hope you are back on the road soon.

Blwnbyu · Apr 17, 2020

Cruise control is very much a dealer activated option. You need a computer Reflash unlocking it and a new multifunction switch that has the cruise buttons on it. Not sure about the 790 backwards compatibility. The 890 menus are quite different than the 790

John San · Apr 17, 2020

My owner's manual for the 890 does mention "optional" cruise control...

kevin kg · Apr 17, 2020

I have been waiting for the 890 to show, considering it for mostly track day events. I do very little Street riding now. Any opinion on how this would be on the track? Concerned about the lack of fairings on longer/faster tracks.
I may however try to mod this with some fairings and clop-ons. I like projects.

Blwnbyu · Apr 17, 2020

kevin kg said:
I have been waiting for the 890 to show, considering it for mostly track day events. I do very little Street riding now. Any opinion on how this would be on the track? Concerned about the lack of fairings on longer/faster tracks.
I may however try to mod this with some fairings and clop-ons. I like projects.

Its not pleasant at sustained speeds over 100 mph

OrangeAid · Apr 17, 2020

Thanks for posting all of this info, Blwnbyu - it's really helpful/interesting.
(Keep it coming!)

kevin kg · Apr 18, 2020

My interest in the 890R is due to the GP2 Kramer. Unfortunately the development of the GP2 has been slow with many delays and missed deadlines for its release and I do not think I will be able to get one until 2021. I may develop the Duke as a stop gap until I can get the Kramer, or maybe develop another chassis option. I Iove the small power plant and electronics. I wish KTM would build an RC version, and I suspect they may at some point with the growing popularity of muddle weight twins.

John San · Apr 18, 2020

Yes! Would love to see an RC890! Aprilia has the RS660 now, so maybe not such a stretch for KTM....

Donnstar · Apr 18, 2020

The Kramer is not for me. While I admire what they have done, I would rather do it myself. This is a big part of why I ride and how I enjoy my bikes.

Pgm · Apr 18, 2020

I get this exactly what you’re saying but I do tend to Have a bad habit of selling when I think a can do no more lol.

Blwnbyu · Apr 19, 2020

Got my bike back. The water pump was fine. They Original Thermostat was installed correctly, but seemed to be alot stickier than the new one. It appears that took care of the problem. I've been snowmobiling and riding my dirtbikes this weekend so I will continue testing on Monday. I do have some more parts for the 890R.
Rottweiler showed the Evotech Radiator Guard fit both the 790 and 890R.. THAT IS NOT CORRECT.. THE 890R RADIATOR IS AN INCH WIDER! So I guess I'll install it on my 790..

Another note. The KTM MYRIDE IS A PIECE OF ****. My dealer installed the module for me. There is no issue in the install, but the APP is a joke and the module does not work properly with the App. The bike shows the BLUETOOTH icon saying my phone is connected, but the MYRIDE part of the display, and the APP both say phone not connected.. If you read the reviews on the google play store, you will see most people have the same issue with the APP. If it worked, it would be amazing.. So right now, I've wasted another $280 on an ill prepared KTM part. Starting to get a little pissy.

I'm installing the heated grips today, as well as adding paint protection film to the entire front end, and 3D carbon fiber to some of the trim pieces.

I also installed an NRC tail tidy on my 790. I made a review on Facebook comparing it to the MNNTHBX.. I can add that info here.

hallahahallo · Apr 20, 2020

Blwnbyu said:
Got my bike back. The water pump was fine. They Original Thermostat was installed correctly, but seemed to be alot stickier than the new one. It appears that took care of the problem. I've been snowmobiling and riding my dirtbikes this weekend so I will continue testing on Monday. I do have some more parts for the 890R.
Rottweiler showed the Evotech Radiator Guard fit both the 790 and 890R.. THAT IS NOT CORRECT.. THE 890R RADIATOR IS AN INCH WIDER! So I guess I'll install it on my 790..

Another note. The KTM MYRIDE IS A PIECE OF ****. My dealer installed the module for me. There is no issue in the install, but the APP is a joke and the module does not work properly with the App. The bike shows the BLUETOOTH icon saying my phone is connected, but the MYRIDE part of the display, and the APP both say phone not connected.. If you read the reviews on the google play store, you will see most people have the same issue with the APP. If it worked, it would be amazing.. So right now, I've wasted another $280 on an ill prepared KTM part. Starting to get a little pissy.

I'm installing the heated grips today, as well as adding paint protection film to the entire front end, and 3D carbon fiber to some of the trim pieces.

I also installed an NRC tail tidy on my 790. I made a review on Facebook comparing it to the MNNTHBX.. I can add that info here.

Please do show NRC vs MNNTHBX, they seem to be the best tail tidies/cleanest ones (mnnthbx wins over I think)

Pgm · Apr 19, 2020

Good to hear all is fine look forward to more feedback.

Lonster · Apr 20, 2020

Thanks for the updates Blwnbyu. I am looking/waiting for an integrated tail light/tidy. Do the 790 and 890 use the same mounts? Also waiting for the release of the Akro full Ti exhaust system. Patience.
I have about 450 miles on mine now, and I noticed today that the engine is getting free-er and feels like it is making more power due to the rings getting fully seated, and creating more/better compression. This bike is SO easy to ride fast. It is very nimble, and goes where ever you point it. Changing lines in the middle of a corner is a non issue. 80 and 90 mile per hour sweepers are rock solid and very confidence inspiring. The quick shifter works flawlessly. The brakes are very powerful. I will put the last 200 break in miles on next weekend, and then get the rest of my electronics updates opened up by the dealer. I also connected my heated liner to one of the rear accessory connections, and routed the cable up under the tank shroud. The electrical system on this bike handles the load with ease. I am so stoked with this bike.

ghost_z · Apr 20, 2020

I am not surprised honestly, even the 790 overheats on some really hot days in bad traffic. Look at the compression ratio on that baby, its insane(i mean the 890) !

It will be 1 hot machine, if you are into track riding or live in a cold country great, otherwise in any hot ish place its gonna be a pain in the ***.

790 = 12.7:1
890 = 13.5:1

Blwnbyu · Apr 20, 2020

ghost_z said:
I am not surprised honestly, even the 790 overheats on some really hot days in bad traffic. Look at the compression ratio on that baby, its insane(i mean the 890) !

It will be 1 hot machine, if you are into track riding or live in a cold country great, otherwise in any hot ish place its gonna be a pain in the ***.

790 = 12.7:1
890 = 13.5:1

It has a bigger radiator. It overheated because the thermostat stuck.

Blwnbyu · Apr 20, 2020

I did do some work on my 790. Dropped a tooth up front, tightened the chain, and added my rokbagoros graphics that I ordered months ago. Seriously thinking about throwing real tires on this bike and riding it all summer. I have a fake akro exhaust coming for it and I may decat on one or both bikes since I can get the Akro maps for free.

890 vs 790

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