Ktm 790 ADVENTURE R problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
49 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
1,650 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 to 2023 model years. Data snapshot: . 9 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 49 complaints (38.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 20 | 40.8% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 8.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 19 |
| Service Brakes | 15 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
Engine: 19; Service Brakes: 15; Fuel/Propulsion System: 14; Electrical System: 7; Unknown Or Other: 6; Exterior Lighting: 5; Power Train: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 40 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 9 |
| 2021 | 12 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2020: 9; 2021: 12; 2022: 9; 2023: 3; 2024: 11; 2025: 2; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 20 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11331598 · 2020-06-29 (June 29, 2020)
WARPED FRONT ROTORS CAUSE STRONG PULSING WHEN FRONT BRAKE APPLIED WHICH IS DESTABILIZING WHEN ON CURVY MOUNTAIN ROADS OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND SUDDEN BRAKING REQUIRED. FRONT ROTORS WARPED WITH 1200 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND KTM REFUSED TO REPLACE UNDER WARRANTY SAYING THIS IS A "WEAR ITEM". ROTOR THICKNESS IS WEAR BUT WARPING IS NOT WEAR, ESPECIALLY ON A NEW BIKE. HAVING DONE MORE RESEARCH ONLINE SINCE MY FIRST ATTEMPT TO GET ROTORS REPLACED LAST YEAR, I SEE IT HAS AFFECTED NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS, SOME OF WHICH HAVE SUCCESSFULLY HAD ROTORS REPL…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11331598 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11372614 · 2020-11-02 (November 2, 2020)
ALL THREE BRAKE ROTORS (2 FRONT, 1 REAR) ARE COMING LOOSE FROM THEIR SUPPORT POINTS WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING JUST OVER 4,000 MILES ON IT. THERE IS NO WAY TO TIGHTEN THE ROTORS. OTHER RIDERS HAVE REPORTED CATASTROPHIC BRAKING FAILURES AS A RESULT. A VIDEO OF THE LOOSE ROTORS IS AVAILABLE HERE: HTTPS://PHOTOS.APP.GOO.GL/WH9RTBWQKG9T6TYN9
Owner-reported narrative. 4,060 miles reported. Look up ODI 11372614 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438301 · 2021-10-26 (October 26, 2021)
I just wanted to make you aware of my 2021 KTM 890 R VIN # [XXX] 2000 MILES Since new it has had a hard start when cold or sitting overnight. It takes 2 or 3 times to start and keeps stalling I stalls runs rough and even runs on one cylinder for 30 to 60 seconds. Its a 2 cylinder motorcycle. Once running it runs great rest of day. MANY folks are seeing the same condition and KTM is not responding with anything of a solution I have owned many many motorcycles and even 6 KTMS but their lack of attention here is not good. Dealers say it's…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438301 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438484 · 2021-10-28 (October 28, 2021)
Stalled dozens of times and sudden loss of power when cold
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438484 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11325481 · 2020-05-21 (May 21, 2020)
THE FUEL TANK IS NOT VENTING PROPERLY AND GAS SPRAYED INTO MY EYES AND UPPER BODY WHEN I CHECKED TO SEE WHAT CAUSED A VERY HIGH PITCH WHINE WHILE STOPPED AFTER RIDING FOR ONE HOUR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11325481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11437938 · 2021-10-24 (October 24, 2021)
Starting immediately after the mandatory 600 mile service check by an authorized KTM dealer, this vehicle started experiencing prolonged cold start failures. It went from starting 100% of the time after three or less start attempts to requiring approximately ten failed start attempts before starting and running. Until 10/20/21, this motorcycle has always been fueled with either 93 octane gasoline with 10% alcohol or 90 octane fuel with no alcohol (only 2-3 times) as recommended by the manufacturer. On 10/20/21, I filled the nearly empty fuel ta…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11437938 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11582403 · 2024-04-11 (April 11, 2024)
Multiple Issues to report: 1 - Transmission stuck in gear WHILE RIDING! -The transmission or shifting mechanism became unresponsive during riding. The transmission allowed for a downshift from 3rd gear into 2nd, then remained in 2nd gear as the transmission became unresponsive to upshifts/downshifts. -This could have resulted in an accident but it did not. I was able to safely stop the motorcycle. -This issue has occurred twice (1st occurrence was in April 2023, which I did not report. This 2nd occurrence was in March 2024) -The motorcycle i…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11582403 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11376978 · 2020-11-29 (November 29, 2020)
THE TFT DASHBOARD HAS A HISTORY OF GOING BLANK WHILE RIDING. I.E. THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, WARNING LIGHTS, GEAR INDICATOR, TRACTION CONTROL INDICATOR, RIDER MODE ETC HAVE DISAPPEARED WHILE RIDING. IF YOU CYCLE THE BIKE DOWN BY TURNING THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF SETTING AND THEN RESTARTING THE BIKE IT RESETS THE TFT DISPLAY, BUT CAN AND HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND IS DOCUMENTED ON YOUTUBE FOR VARIOUS KTM MODELS AND YEAR. THIS FIRST OCCURRED ON MY BIKE AUGUST 5TH OF 2020. IT OCCURRED TWICE THAT DAY AND AGA…
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 11376978 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11382801 · 2020-12-09 (December 9, 2020)
MY BIKE HAS HAD AND STILL DOES HAVE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS SHOCK FAILED TWICE, REAR BRAKE HOSE MELTED AND MADE BRAKES UNUSABLE WHILE I WAS ON A TRIP IN MEXICO FRONT BRAKES EXPERIENCED PULSATING SENSATION THAT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE, KTM REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS AND FRONT WHEEL HUB, THE COUNTER SHAFT SPROCKET LEAKED OIL, KTM REPAIRED IT, BUT IT'S LEAKING AGAIN, THE ENGINE USES A QUART OF OIL EVERY 150 MILES A BOLT ON THE STEERING HEAD BROKE WHILE I WAS RIDING CAUSING A LOOSE SENSATION IN THE STEERING
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11382801 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 0; 2022: 0; 2023: 0