KTM is set to make a limited edition of 500 hardcore examples of its KTM 790 Adventure R, called the 790 Adventure R Rally, with full factory off-road suspension.
According to a company spokesman, the Austrians have built the extreme new model ‘because we can’. The main upgrade to the Rally, from the 790 Adventure R upon which it is based, is the adoption of special suspension from the KTM-owned WP organisation. Called the WP XPLOR PRO, the suspension is built in the same WP Factory Racing workshops as the units on KTM’s MotoGP and rally raid machines.
Up front, the WP XPLOR PRO 7548 fork uses cone valve technology; a unique valving system that permits almost limitless damping performance, that the brand claims combines comfort with bottoming resistance. The cone valve allows unlimited opening, which they say reduces harshness of the suspension, while setting that could normally only be achieved by changing the shim stack can now be adjusted from the outside.
At the rear, KTM has specified the fully adjustable WP XPLOR PRO 6746. KTM says that the unit is easily adjustable and will reduce rider fatigue. It’s probably not one for the shorter riders though – the Rally version increased the base Adventure R’s already tall suspension travel by 30mm and creates a substantial seat height of 910mm.
Mechanically the Adventure R Rally uses the same 95bhp LC8c two cylinder engine but comes with the accessory Akrapovič exhaust, principally as a weight saving measure, as standard, as well as the quickshifter. The Adventure R Rally also has its own colour scheme and graphics, as well as narrower rims (fitted with innertubes) and genuine rally footpegs and racing seat.
Speaking of the launch of the new machine, KTM’s Hubert Trunkenpolz said: “Quite simply, we’ve built the KTM 790 Adventure R Rally because we can! At KTM we continually try to push ourselves and the development of our products – this is the ‘Ready To Race’ way. We have the equipment at our disposal and we know how to make a truly special bike for our hardcore customers. With its pro components range, WP offers suspension close to the same level used by the Dakar-winning Red Bull KTM Factory Racing Rally team on the KTM 450 Rally. The new KTM 790 Adventure R Rally is exactly as it says: A rally bike ready for any adventure.”
There’s no word on prices for the KTM 790 Adventure R Rally, but it’s fair to say that it’ll be a chunk more expensive than the £11,999 Adventure R upon which it is based.
