AMCN is in Erfoud, home to the Rally of Morocco, for the world launch of the new 2019 KTM 790 Adventure and Adventure R. Over the next two days we’ll be testing these beasts on the road and in the dunes in the company of Aussie rally royalty, so stay tuned to AMCN for Youngy’s first impressions, and some feedback from THE sandman himself, Toby Price.

Due to arrive in June this year, the 790 Adventure R will be priced at $22,695 ride away, while the less hardcore KTM 790 ADVENTURE will retail at $21,195 ride away.

The 790 Adventure R has been designed, as KTM claims, for the hardcore adventurer, equipped to take-on extreme off-road terrain. The frame is steel trellis and suspension is long-travel WP Xplor 48mm fork up front and WP XPLOR shock down the back, both with 240mm of travel. It rolls on 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels with Metzeler Karoo 3 tyres.

Rider aids include KTM’s MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control), cornering ABS, off-road ABS (deactivating ABS at the rear while front wheel ABS intervention is reduced and data from the lean angle sensor is not considered), an Offroad ride mode and the more advanced Rally mode which enable the rider to adapt the character of the bike more freely. Optional add-ons include Quickshifter+ and Cruise Control, while smartphones can be connected via the KTM MY RIDE system for a variety of functional purposes.

The engine is KTM’s 799cm³ twin-cylinder, four-stroke LC8c unit, which is paired with a six-speed transmission and KTM’s ride-by-wire system.

The 790 ADVENTURE is differentiated by its Avon Trailrider tyres, WP’s APEX 43mm open cartridge upside-down fork and WP APEX shock each with 200mm of travel, a height-adjustable two-part seat, high windshield for maximum wind protection on long rides, and in terms of electronics, the Rally mode becomes an additional optional pack.