Opinion: My Dream ADV
Everyone’s description of a perfect motorcycle is different. It depends on multiple factors like what sort of rider they are, what kind of terrain and riding conditions they have around them and what their idea of fun is. After having spent some superb seat time on the KTM 890 Adventure R and the 390 Adventure R (both of which you’ll get to read about in next month’s issue), I now have a good idea of what I want in my ‘perfect’ ADV. Effectively, it would be a motorcycle that finds a middle ground between the two. From the 890, there are three aspects. First, those Dakar rally bike style low-slung fuel tanks are a game changer for a big ADV – there’s no fat fuel tank ahead of you, and top heaviness just isn’t a thing. The second aspect would be as premium and capable a suspension as possible, and the third is a twin-cylinder engine. Single-cylinder motors get the job done well, but once you’ve experienced the sound, smoothness and character of a twin, it’s really hard to go back ...