The R stands for moRe DiRt, less pavement

It’s not often a reduction in engine displacement results in a superior motorcycle (bigger is better, right?), but that’s the case with KTM’s new 1090 Adventure R. Gone are the 1190 Adventure and Adventure R models and in their stead a new 1050cc R model that’s smaller in both bore and stroke (103mm/63mm vs. 105mm/69mm) equaling a 145cc reduction in displacement. Whatever the 1090 gives up in power production to the 1190 Adventure R it makes up for in lighter weight and better handling.

Using KTM’s claim that the 1090 is 22 pounds lighter than the 1190 (456 pounds dry vs. 478 pounds dry), and the company’s claimed peak power production for each model (125 hp for the 1090 vs. 150 hp for the 1190), simple math reveals the 1090 is moving more weight per horsepower (3.65 pounds/hp) than the 1190 (3.18 pounds/hp). But that’s peak power in Sport riding mode. In the more important Off-Road setting where both bikes are limited to 100 horsepower, the 1090 has an advantage of moving 4.56 pounds/hp, where the 1190 was pushing 4.78 pounds/hp. Torque is a slightly different story with the 1090 giving up 12 lb.-ft. to the 1190 – 80 lb.-ft. at 6500 rpm vs. 92 lb.-ft. at 8000 rpm.
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Read full post here:
https://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ktm/2017-ktm-1090-adventure-r-review-first-ride.html