Chapter 11 - the KTM 890 Adventure R

[Checkswrecks]

"Premium" is a bit of false labeling, as it is more accurate to say higher octane fuels are less volatile, making them harder to ignite. When fuels are easier to ignite they can create detonation, which means the flame front goes supersonic (exploding) rather than progressing uniformly until the fuel is consumed.

So a hotter plug may help and using a lower octane fuel as a way to get ignition makes sense. You'd just not want to do it all the time or you'll get detonation when under load. I'm sure these bikes have knock sensors intended to mitigate detonation but it's still not something to do intentionally.

 

[Jlq1969]

"Premium" is a bit of false labeling, as it is more accurate to say higher octane fuels are less volatile, making them harder to ignite. When fuels are easier to ignite they can create detonation, which means the flame front goes supersonic (exploding) rather than progressing uniformly until the fuel is consumed.

So a hotter plug may help and using a lower octane fuel as a way to get ignition makes sense. You'd just not want to do it all the time or you'll get detonation when under load. I'm sure these bikes have knock sensors intended to mitigate detonation but it's still not something to do intentionally.

Maybe the 890 has Multidisplacement system, like the HEMI...in cold start….

Cold start problem 890 adventure

Engin will start only on 1 cylinder (right), for +/- 1 minute (1000 +/- rpm), after, you will heard internal explosion, and left cylinder will start...

www.advrider.com

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I need to try this one.
890 procedure

 

[Donk]

Crack the throttle slightly when you hit the starter button and you won't have a problem. When the bike starts it will idle fine. Weird glitch I expect but doing that I have no issue.. I started doing that when strangely enough last summer I switched to 15-50 oil and the bike would not idle at start up without stalling. Issue started the day after I changed the oil. Next oil change went back to recommended 10-50 and bike idled just fine at start up ever since. Don't ask me because I still can't believe the oil was an issue.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Interesting about the oil.

I'm going to try that trick next time.

Overall the 890 is a real winner. Has some minor quirks, but nothing to temp me away from it.

Planning to take it up to PA to do the BDR-X next month. I think it's going to be even better than the 690 on that ride.

 

[Checkswrecks]

...Planning to take it up to PA to do the BDR-X next month. I think it's going to be even better than the 690 on that ride.

Much as I'd like to join, the V85 is on street tires and now that I've done a bit of gravel and easy dirt they are not what I'd want on the BDR, even though they could handle most of it with no problem

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Understood. I feel the same way about taking the SAS on it. It definitely could handle it with no real issue, beyond street tires puncture way too easily. Not worth the potential headache.

Hopefully you and I can get together sometime before it gets too cold to be fun.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

I need to try this one.
890 procedure

It works. Takes about 35 seconds from key turn to second click. Bike starts on both cylinders at that point.

Back to real gas again.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

The 890 is doing a sleep-over tonight. There's something in the garage the I predicted would never ever happen...I was wrong.

 

[Sierra1]

Oh, the humanity . . . .

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Humanity will be fine. The HD is back where it belongs, the 890 is back in it's rightful place in the garage, god is in his heaven, and I need not experiment any further with a Pan Amaerica. Some borrowed bikes are returned with good feelings and lasting positive memories, other bikes generate relief that they are returned. I'll put the Pan America in that last category. Not a bad bike, but nothing inspirational either.

The ride home on my fully service, 1 year old 890 was wonderful. It remains a pleasure to own and there is no thought of anything else being able to fill that specific niche in my riding life. I only put a little over 6K miles on it over the year. Not a lot, but better than any other dirt bike I've owned. It's truly a great bike and I have no regrets.

 

[Donk]

Be careful it may not want to leave. They are famous for key fob issues. Wouldn't wish one of those on my worst enemy although in all fairness 1 in 5 seems to be somewhat trouble free.

 

[Donk]

Got to be about the worst looking motor on any motorcycle too.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

All in your perspective. The HD owning dealership guy who handled me the keys yesterday told me how great it looked. He was there again today when I brought it back. As I went through my discoveries of what made it so odd, he smiled and said, yep, it's a Harley.

 

[Sierra1]

Got to be about the worst looking motor on any motorcycle too.

Doesn't look real. Looks like a plastic toy motor.

 

[Donk]

My '23 890 rolled 16K miles today. As god as the '21 is this one is better. Really is a great all around bike.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Awesome! I'm extremely pleased with mine, too. Can't claim anywhere near those miles, but glad to hear you still feel that way.

 

[Venture]

I'm glad to hear the 890s are holding up. It's Swedish sister threw me a CEL at 40 miles for a knock sensor, but resolved itself and hasn't come back on just yet (245 miles ODO).

The good news is my 390 Adventure so far has been problem free (2k miles), so I figure I'll always have at least one running KTM to ride!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

The odometer went a bit over 8,200 miles on the bike yesterday. I now live about 5 minutes from section 5 of the MABDR, so easy to jump on and take a ride.

Here's some nuances about the bike.

It has a key in the ignition. It's the only vehicle in my 2 and 4 wheel inventory with this setup, and it is an issue. Too often I pull into some business, remove the GPS for secure storage, go into the establishment, conduct my business, come out and find the key sitting there in the ignition waiting for the next rider to twist and go. It's annoying. DM's Spyder also has a key in the ignition. She's way more thoughtful than me, so it's never been an issue for her.

I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but in general, I feel like I'm cheating when I'm on the 890. I see the trail get rougher, but I don't feel it. The suspension of this bike is astonishing for me, a suspension neanderthal. The stability and confidence this bike provides is off the charts. You just don't have to work hard to keep it just tracking along at any speed.

The bike remains as much fun on the pavement as it is in the dirt. I would cringe taking the 690 on the street. I'm perfectly happy riding extended period on pavement with this bike. It's a real hoot in any environment.

I've had two issues with in the last 17 months. Out of the box, the banded rim setup was poor and flat tires were common. Mine definitely had that issue.

I also had the TFT cush rubbers (little shock absorbers) between the TFT and the mount all ripped in half.. At least one of the mounting screws broke. The bike was never crashed or even dropped. But it has been ridden a ton on washboarded out roads. Tech had never seen anything like it. KTM covered it and never I've seen is again.

I've stopped whining about it being hot. Yes, it's hot and you sweat from the waste down while riding in temps over 80 degrees. Don't notice anything about the bike's heat below 70 degrees. All true. I had to get over that part. It's been worth it.

Overall, 8K+ miles. It's a winner for me.

 

[Donk]

I find ignitions the best place to put the key. Don't have to look for them and not going to lose them. I just throw my gloves over the key worked well so far.