Chapter 11 - the KTM 890 Adventure R

Donk

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See that quite often on all brands of bikes at the shop. There is a gasket in the valve stem that can leak. Usually a small turn on the stem nut sorts it.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Mine is blowing bubbles from both locations shown.



I turned the nut a small amount, then thought better of it. I don't know how that valve mount works. If the other side goes through the rubber I can see how twisting that might be bad. Once I understand I may feel more comfortable
 

audiowize

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The rubber seal on the inside of the rim has a steel grommet that the valve stem passes through, then it pokes through the rim. The rubber collar on the valve stem has to keep the air from migrating around the steel grommet.
 

Dirt_Dad

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The rubber seal on the inside of the rim has a steel grommet that the valve stem passes through, then it pokes through the rim. The rubber collar on the valve stem has to keep the air from migrating around the steel grommet.
Sounds like a tire may need to come off to tighten. I checked the spokes tonight and no leaking found.



Part #15. I can't blow it up enough on my phone to know if this is useful
Even blown up on my computer it's still not a helpful drawing. But wow, list price on a valve stem is $44.


I have to wonder if I was riding around on a flat tire. It was raining and sleeting my last 90 minutes of the ride on Friday. So I was mellow on the pavement sections. Looking at the 0 psi tire in the garage it looked fine. Only pushing it exposed how hard it was to move. Was it flat while riding...? If so, that E07+ has a hell of a sidewall.
 

audiowize

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IMG_20230306_174203.jpg
This is what you're working with (minus the TPMS sensor on the 890 I'd suspect). That rubber ring below the threads keeps in the air in and may need to be tensioned by the threaded collar above it.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Assuming the grommet you mentioned goes around the rubber bottom piece, it seems like lifting and tightening may be the best approach before taking off the tire.

I sent a note to the dealer this evening. Expect to have their thoughts tomorrow.
 

thughes317

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Assuming the grommet you mentioned goes around the rubber bottom piece, it seems like lifting and tightening may be the best approach before taking off the tire.

I sent a note to the dealer this evening. Expect to have their thoughts tomorrow.
Concur. Put a crank or two on that nut and call it square.
 

Dirt_Dad

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See that quite often on all brands of bikes at the shop. There is a gasket in the valve stem that can leak. Usually a small turn on the stem nut sorts it.
I know. Didn't really think it was a KTM problem. My guess is it's not even a KTM part.

I believe some here have been waiting for me to report a problem with my KTM. Nothing malicious, just there's a perception out there that KTM is unreliable. I fought that perception myself before getting my SAS. So when I had something mechanical that kept me from riding my new 890, I thought I should put it out there.

I was momentarily disappointed I couldn't ride it. But when your second choice is riding the SAS....well...that bike has never failed to make me happy. It was a spectacular 230 mile ride on a late winter day.

The rubber seal on the inside of the rim has a steel grommet that the valve stem passes through, then it pokes through the rim. The rubber collar on the valve stem has to keep the air from migrating around the steel grommet.
View attachment 99520
This is what you're working with (minus the TPMS sensor on the 890 I'd suspect). That rubber ring below the threads keeps in the air in and may need to be tensioned by the threaded collar above it.
Thank you. These two posts really helped me have a better understanding of what I was facing.

Concur. Put a crank or two on that nut and call it square.
That's pretty much what the service manager told me, too. Although there was some level of doubt expressed on if it would work. I managed to add about 1/4 turn or maybe a bit more. So far, it looks like it's holding air again.

So I have to stop saying every problem I've ever had with a KTM has been my fault. I'm not taking the blame for this one. I can keep saying every problem I've had with a KTM has been related to snugging up an externally accessible bolt/nut.
 

blitz11

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I have KTM dirt bikes, a 690 duke, and my daughter has a 790 duke. Only real problem with any of them is that the 790 has a very weak front turn signal mount where the plastic is too weak to support the turn signal at high speeds. at high speeds, the turn signal oscillates, and a crack starts at a sharp corner. Just poor design - summer intern?

I replaced the mount plastic once, and it cracked again. the fix? 1. use of electrical tape and a stiffening bar to reduce movement of the turn signal. 2. purchased another plastic mount (~$100), so if the electrical tape fix doesn't work, the new piece will go on with a stiffening bar and electrical tape. However, the tape and bar stiffen the assembly quite a bit, so i don't think it will be a problem again.

My 690 is a 2014, and the the 790 is a 2019 purchased in December of 2018. No complaints at all with KTM reliability. I had to replace the CCT in the super 10 at 25k miles - one could argue that that the S-10 is less reliable than the KTMs.
 

Jlq1969

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I have KTM dirt bikes, a 690 duke, and my daughter has a 790 duke. Only real problem with any of them is that the 790 has a very weak front turn signal mount where the plastic is too weak to support the turn signal at high speeds. at high speeds, the turn signal oscillates, and a crack starts at a sharp corner. Just poor design - summer intern?

I replaced the mount plastic once, and it cracked again. the fix? 1. use of electrical tape and a stiffening bar to reduce movement of the turn signal. 2. purchased another plastic mount (~$100), so if the electrical tape fix doesn't work, the new piece will go on with a stiffening bar and electrical tape. However, the tape and bar stiffen the assembly quite a bit, so i don't think it will be a problem again.

My 690 is a 2014, and the the 790 is a 2019 purchased in December of 2018. No complaints at all with KTM reliability. I had to replace the CCT in the super 10 at 25k miles - one could argue that that the S-10 is less reliable than the KTMs.
It seems that not... reliability is related to the possibility or not of an event occurring... and if that event occurs (possibility 1)... you would have to see what the probability of it occurring is by measuring it in %... you could not relate the reliability of a brand, due to the failure of a "common system"... the common system would be the spring CCT, with an anti-rebound system by hydraulic pressure of the motor oil... that system tends to fail (regardless of the brand where it is placed )…..that is to say that what is not very reliable is that system
E7601FE3-8BB7-4B5F-AD61-625CBF7703B7.jpeg585218E9-6576-4263-90F6-8EB1F6637F18.jpeg571F69C8-6160-4B20-AAF9-8FC3B5EA9145.jpegBBBE6003-6D4D-4891-A8AD-6AA2B3EFADF6.jpeg
In any case, the hydraulic CCT system is reliable, “but”, it has a probability of failure….While the manual CCT System, has practically no probability of failure, “but”….in the wrong hands…that exert Too much pressure on the chain...could cause damage/premature wear on the camshaft bed(s) and premature stretching of the chain and wear of the timing gears
 
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Dirt_Dad

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I have about 100K miles of Super Tenere experience over 4 bikes and 9 years. I have 50K miles on 2 European bikes for the almost 4 years now.

I experienced more mechanical issues in the first 25K miles of ownership of the Teneres, than the BMW or KTM.

Does that mean one brand is more reliable than the other? Not in my mind. Bike manufacturers care about quality and reputation. Sometimes stuff happens. I would not hesitate to buy another Yamaha, KTM, or BMW product. They are all good as far as my first hand experience tells me.

Now, back to the regularly scheduled program...

Tire is still inflated 24 hours later. Bike is ready to go. Just in time for the snow this weekend. :mad:
 

Dirt_Dad

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Short ride today, less than 100 miles.
Mostly wet roads, raining at times, 42 - 45 degrees F.
Ending mileage: 250

Weather wise, more of the same on this third ride. Cold, wet, overcast, rain, low visibility...your general crappy day that most motorcyclist are happy to do anything other than ride. Then there's me. I'm off work when I'm off, regardless of weather. Ride the bike, or bitch about weather...lets ride.






The wet pavement removes all temptation to push too hard. I learned the hard way to respect wet pavement, plus keeping the RPMs under 6.5K for break in, and a more 50/50 tire all add up to keep me in check. That said, I am definitely noticing the 890 has remarkably good manners on twisty roads. Occasionally I stumble on dry pavement and can wick it up as much as the RPM restrictions allow. I'm impressed with the complete and total lack of drama when the road throws you a curve, or two...or ten. I've ridden enough 21" front tire bikes in these situations to know, most of the time you feel a penalty for having the big wheel out front. I find they are not as composed, and force me to back off in a twist. The Honda AT was an exception to this rule, and so far, the 890 acts like the rule never existed. In fact, it's so relaxed in the curvy environment that you don't feel like you're pushing the tires even a little bit. Very interesting.

I've recognized an over confidence creeping in that I need to nip immediately. The lack of wind protection, and rainy weather has conspired to make my helmet's visibility absolute crap. Still with bad visibility obscuring the finer details of the worsening conditions of the dirt road I felt no interest in slowing. The bike is so competent and gliding over everything so far, that I just had no concerns. I do recognize the flaw in that logic, and intend to adjust that attitude.

So far, the front wheel has been glued to the ground. When I told DM that she asked me if I was going to regret getting this bike if I don't figure it out. I assured her, I'm positive it's me and not the bike. At the moment, the 890 reminds me of trying to wheelie the Tenere in the dirt. No matter the situation, hit the throttle and all you do is spin. Really annoying. I'm still blaming myself for not understanding the bike.

Throttle control, there is no similarity between the SAS and the 890. In Sport mode the SAS is a gentle kitten and you must ask it to be a roaring lion. The 890 in Rally mode just immediately hangs it all out there. The throttle response in each bike, when set to the most enthusiastic mode, is night and day different. Not a problem, but definitely a mental shift when riding each bike.

I'm a two trick pony. I love to wheelie, and I love power-sliding. My normal move is to turn off TCS as soon as I get to the dirt. That's not working with the 890. The super responsive Rally, and even Offroad with TCS off have me spending too much time trying to back off the power slide the bike is doing in every corner. It's actually too much. Didn't know that was possible, but clearly it is. This inspired me to start testing out the 9 levels of the Rally mode's Slip Adjuster. Level 9 is close to the most restrictive TCS, Level 1 is just about TCS completely off. Before today I turned my nose up at letting the bike control my slip. I've been doing that all my life, thank you very much. But, I have to admit, I think this may be one more area where KTM is out to destroy my riding skills.

Level 9 was fine in the rain today. You know it works when you transition from the pavement to the dirt, nail the throttle and nothing really happens. You do hear the bike cut in and out until you realize you're on 9. It makes rain riding in Rally mode a reasonable endevour. Levels 7 and 8 seem good for people who don't like to power-slide that much, but are okay with a little slippage. Levels 5 and 6 were surprisingly familiar to me. Those settings allowed the bike to step out to around the level that I usually find comfortable. I suspect most of my riding will be between 5 and 9 depending on conditions. Still so much to learn.

Tomorrow is forecast to have sun. Not warm, but I'd like to see what can be done when everything isn't wet.

At one point I hit the remote button, then noticed the camera was gone. Felt around, not gone, just re-positioned itself.
 

TNWalker

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Glad you are enjoying the new ride. Had my Tiger in for service today and my dealer has a new 23 890 on the floor. Without windscreen of course:p. I am for now resisting temptation to add the 890 back into my stable. I predict there will be one in there probably next year. ....or sooner.... Dangit.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Glad you are enjoying the new ride. Had my Tiger in for service today and my dealer has a new 23 890 on the floor. Without windscreen of course:p. I am for now resisting temptation to add the 890 back into my stable. I predict there will be one in there probably next year. ....or sooner.... Dangit.
I hear the windscreens are due in very soon. :) Make some room in the garage.

I'm not ready to endorse it. But I realize you know a heck of a lot more about the 890 than me.

I'm encouraged so far. Spent the last few hours studying videos on Rally mode, and wheelie on the 890. All will be good.
 

Donk

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Sat on the new 890 Adventure today. Fits well I think the Norden may be a goner.

On my '21 890 in Rally mode it's hard to leave a stop sign without spinning the rear wheel. The bike spins up rpm very quickly. The best part of the party is between 6000-8000 rpm. Its different than the 1290, you'll sort it out.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Sat on the new 890 Adventure today. Fits well I think the Norden may be a goner.

On my '21 890 in Rally mode it's hard to leave a stop sign without spinning the rear wheel. The bike spins up rpm very quickly. The best part of the party is between 6000-8000 rpm. Its different than the 1290, you'll sort it out.
That's part of what I figured out watching the videos this afternoon. By keeping within the break-in RPMs I'm missing the range where everyone starts laughing their heads off. Can't wait to get those remaining 370 miles behind me.

RIP Norden
 

Dirt_Dad

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231 miles today
Dry roads, 31 - 45 degrees F.
Ending mileage: 493

Yes, 31 degrees on a bike with minimal wind protection. Riding frozen mud was not in my original plan when I left.


Today was the day I learned huge amount about the bike.

I don't have sufficient time this evening to post what I learned, but here's a few pictures of the educational process.








More later.

I will say...Donk, you're off the hook.
 
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Dirt_Dad

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What a difference dry pavement makes. :p

First, I spent 7 hours riding yesterday, in mid-30s temps, on an OEM seat provided by KTM. It was cold enough that I took very few breaks. I wanted the heated grips and electric vest to keep doing their thing. My butt to seat time was very high. In the last 45 minutes of the ride, the final piece fell into place, a light bulb went on, and I started looking for ways to extend the ride. The seat is firm, but I would have happily gone another few hours if the daylight would have allowed it. For now, I don't see any need to replace the seat. That's very rare.

Spent the day in Rally mode, mostly on 6 for the slip indicator. That yielded my very first...and a lovely wheelie in the dirt. Ahhh...that's nice. Because I'm still staying out the Donk identified "party" zone of 6-8K RPMs, I intentionally did not turn off Traction Control. Best to resist the pavement wheelie temptation which I know may lead me to higher RPMs.

Dirt riding continued to show just how good this big, nearly 900cc bike is at doing anything I would have done on the 690. I'll test that theory over the coming months, but it's such an easy bike to ride, I can't think of anything yet where I'll wish I had the 690.





It's not that I forget I'm on a bigger bike. Frequently when transitioning from pavement to dirt I feel like I should be stopping to change some setting. But it's not necessary. Maybe use the down arrow on the left grip to change slip level, but that's it. Just keep right on rolling. It's really nice.



Had a wonderful ride in the dirt. I really enjoyed the Off Road ABS that turns on automatically with Off Road and Rally Modes. It felt so refreshing to skid to a stop a few times yesterday. Sure, the 690 always did that. But on a big bike I have not felt that skid...maybe ever. Again, you do realize this is a bigger bike, but it's little things like the ability to skid that makes it feel so relaxed. Yes, I know my SAS could do it, but it's such a PITA to set that feature that I just don't turn it on.

Rode Middle Cove Rd (aka Swearing Hill), which is a recommendation for those attending the Romney Camp N Ride.






Much like my SAS, the 890 is chatty.




Also like the SAS, the fuel pump turns red and flashes when on reserve. I'm guessing it will also give similar warnings for low tire pressure and punctures once I install that system.

I learned the most on the pavement yesterday.

I learned that Rally/9 is too restrictive even on the pavement. Trying to throttle out of a minor gravity cavity road feature and the bike cut power on me. Rally/7 eliminated that issue, maybe 8 would have too, but not sure. 9 will be limited to rain.

I even learned just how wrong I was one day earlier.

I'm impressed with the complete and total lack of drama when the road throws you a curve, or two...or ten.
Definitely wrong about this assessment. I took the bike to the twistiest roads in the area. Stuff I ride all the time and know every curve and anticipated hazard. Time and time again, the 890 shocked me. Forget 19 inch vs 21 inch. The 890 is NOT a low drama bike in the twisties. Even with 50/50 tires and RPMs under 6.5K, it is an astonishingly good/outstanding twisty road weapon. I had a blast riding my favorite local roads. I got home and told DM, "If I were leading on the SAS, I'm not sure I could lose me on the 890." Once it's broken in and unleashed...what does that mean?



I avoided pavement wheelies for the first 6 hours of the day. After realizing what the bike could do I found myself on another favorite road where one thing leads to another and, on the SAS, it always ends with the front end up. Take the 890 through it, Rally/6, up it comes, just like the SAS. Huh!? Again....yep, again...yep. What had been so hard to do over the last 3 rides was now ridiculously easy. I even felt the light skimming, barely touching of the front tire to the road feeling that I love so much on the SAS under enthusiastic acceleration.

Light bulb moment. I realized this is exactly the bike I wanted it to be. I sold the 690 and declared I want a dirt bike capable of doing anything I want to do, but is comfortable to ride long distance to get to the good dirt and not be wiped out when I arrive. I just spent 7 hours, 231 miles in unreasonably cold conditions on a bike with insufficient wind protection causing loud helmet noise. If the sun would have stayed up longer, I would have been excited to turn around and ride 231 miles back the other way.

Looking forward to putting the next 127 miles behind me so I can crank up this puppy and see what it will really do. Regardless, I feel confident saying this bike is a keeper.

I've appreciated all the current and former 890 owners who have given me their thoughts and advice. I truely appreciated it all. But, without a doubt, Donk's words, as the owner of both a 1290 and the 890, had disproportionate volume ringing in my ears. If the 890 had been a loser I was willing to throw him under the bus. After yesterday's ride, I know he is safe from becoming a bus speed bump. Thanks to all you guys that pointed me to what looks to be a heck of a good bike.
 
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Donk

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Really glad you're enjoying the bike. I never doubted that you would. It's not that it's better than the 1290 nor is the 1290 better than it. Personally I just think it's more fun. Can't wait to hear what you think when you've got all the rpm to play with.

I'm waiting for the final numbers to trade in the Norden on the '23 890 Adventure. Hope to be able to pull the trigger next week.
 
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