BMW R 1150 GS Adventure versus KTM 890 Adventure

BMW R 1150 GS Adventure

Adventure

KTM 890 Adventure

Reise-Enduro

In our series of used motorcycle tests, a classic is due today: The BMW R 1150 GS. The bike was provided to us by a visitor, it is in absolute top condition. This GS series was built between 1999 and 2003 – what can it do today... weiter

BMW R 1150 GS

Gallery

More steam, more technology, more fun?

The Standard 890 Adventure tested here was not presented by KTM until the beginning of 2021 after the R and the Rally. It is designed for the road rather than for the terrain and, at 13,295 euros, is also cheaper than its... weiter

KTM 890 Adventure im Test

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2005 bis 2005

Built von 2021 bis 2025~

RRP

RRP 15.190 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

Comfort
Processing
Off-road capability

Pros:

Brakes and chassis
not too heavy
Technically well equipped
great engine with neat bums
handy thanks to low center of gravity

Cons:

High weight

Cons:

Tank polarizes optically
Turbulence and noise on the helmet
Cruise control switch available, but function must be activated (extra charge)

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.501 mm
Length : 2.180 mm
Seat : 900 mm
Weight : 287 (max: 460 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.528 mm
Seat : 850 mm
Weight : 196 kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.130 ccm
Hub: 71 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Öl-Luft
Drive: Kardan
Aisles: 6

Motor design: Row, four-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 889 ccm
Hub: 69 mm
Hole: 91 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6

Performance

Maximum speed: 192 km/h
Performance: 85 HP at 6.750 U/Min
Torque: 98 NM bei 5.250 U/Min

Tank contents: 22 Litre
Consumption: 5 l

Maximum speed: 239 km/h
Performance: 105 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 100 NM bei 6.500 U/Min

Tank contents: 20 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 444 km

Chassis

Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel)

Front suspension:
Telelever (travel 210 mm)

Rear suspension:
Central strut (travel 220 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever single-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 110/80 B 19 TL
Rear tyres: 150/70 H 17 TL

Frame type:
Chrome-molybdenum steel frame, motor is structural component, powder coated (steel)

Front suspension:
WP APEX USD 43mm (travel 200 mm)

Rear suspension:
WP APEX Monoshock (travel 200 mm)
Rear suspension:
Aluminum two-arm swingarm

Tyres at the front: 21 inches
Rear tyres: 18 inches

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc brakes (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 276 mm)

Front brake
Four-piston radial fixed caliper, double disc (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Brembo two-piston floating caliper, single disc (∅ 260 mm)

Cheap never, well mostly

MW driving has never been a particularly cheap pleasure. Although many specimens are around 20 years old and have collected correspondingly many kilometers, these GS are still not a bargain. It must be at least 5,000 euros, top-maintained specimens like our test bike like to scratch at the five-digit. You can understand this: The BMW R 1150 GS, if you don't catch a rocked-out model, is an almost ideal companion for the very big tour.

If you can do without cornering and agility, the GS is the ideal travel moped, where the road can be three steps below perfect.
As I said, a buddy for the good and the bad days.

Conclusion - what's stuck?

More steam, more technology, more fun? After our test, we can answer yes to this initial question. However, owners of a 790 Adventure don't have to go straight to the KTM dealer and buy an 890. The differences between these two bikes are not as great as KTM likes to portray. Nevertheless, the 890 Adventure is the better motorcycle.

Competitors are the Triumph Tiger 900, the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 and the Ducati Multistrada 950 - the travel enduros of the upper middle class. The difference from the upper-class thick ships such as the BMW GS 1250 and 1290 SAS is clearly noticeable, but as described above, both advantages and disadvantages are noticeable.

The test motorcycle was kindly provided to us by Motorrad-Ruser from Haseldorf - thank you very much.