The 2024 KTM 890 Adventure R Rally Project Bike
Building the Ultimate Dream Machine
What does your dream bike look like? For many, it’s a blend of speed, adventure, horsepower, and a unique, eye-catching aesthetic. It’s a machine that stands out, both in performance and appearance. Enter the 2024 KTM 890 Adventure R Rally—a limited-edition model from KTM that’s already a dream bike straight out of the box. But what happens when you take an exceptional bike and push it even further? Let’s dive into the creation of a true dream machine.
The Foundation: KTM 890 Adventure R Rally
Every few years, KTM releases a limited run of their popular 890 Adventure R, known as the Rally. For 2024, we managed to get our hands on one of these rare beasts, and it’s already bordering on dream-bike territory. But why stop there? We envisioned a bike that could handle anything from cross-country travel to hard enduro, combining the best parts from the industry to create something truly extraordinary.
The journey to perfection begins with suspension. The 890 Adventure R Rally comes equipped with WP Xplor Pro suspension, the pinnacle of adjustable performance. The front forks feature Cone Valve technology and are fully adjustable for spring preload, compression, and rebound damping. The rear shock includes high- and low-speed compression damping, rebound damping, and spring preload. This suspension setup allows for unmatched tunability, enabling the rider to conquer any terrain with confidence.
Next, we upgraded the wheels to heavy-duty D.I.D DirtStar rims. These tube-type rims have a narrower profile than the stock tubeless rims, allowing for lower tire pressures and better off-road traction. We paired these wheels with Dunlop Rally Raid D908 rear and D606 front tires for their exceptional off-road performance and longevity on pavement.
Off-road riding demands robust protection, so we replaced the stock skid plate with AXP Racing’s second-generation 890 hard enduro skid plate. This upgrade offers better protection for the fuel pump and the tank sides, and features a new mudguard to keep debris away from the header pipe.
The stock KTM PowerParts Rally seat, while impressive, was too tall for most riders. Seat Concepts provided a more comfortable and accessible rally seat, known for being the best on the market. To enhance navigation and lighting, we collaborated with Manuel Lucchese of Rebel X Sports to install a rally tower. This tower accommodates navigation components, adds powerful Baja Designs lights, and includes a digital readout for battery status.
Performance Enhancements
For improved control, we added a Scotts Performance steering stabilizer, a must-have for serious off-road riding. We also replaced the entire triple clamp setup with Rottweiler Performance’s version, which is stronger and offers better fork mounting and a smoother head tube bearing.
To tap into the bike’s full potential, we turned to Rottweiler Performance. Their Pro Edition Intake System replaced the restrictive stock air box, boosting horsepower by ten. We also installed their EnduroCell, an additional 1.8-gallon fuel tank tucked within the subframe, perfect for long adventures with minimal fuel stops.
To shed some weight, we swapped the stock battery for an AntiGravity lithium battery, which is 70% lighter and has more starting power, including a built-in jump starter.
Aesthetic Finishing Touches
Finally, we gave our dream bike a visual upgrade with a custom graphics kit from SKDA. The high-quality decals incorporated logos from our friends and sponsors, ensuring the bike looks as good as it performs.
Riding the Dream
So, how does this dream bike perform? In a word, awesome. The upgraded suspension provides unparalleled control, and the Scotts stabilizer makes handling rough terrain a breeze. The Pro Edition Intake enhances low-end torque, and the rally tower improves navigation and lighting. The EnduroCell ensures you’re never stressed about fuel, and the AntiGravity battery lightens the load.
This build wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our partners, particularly Rottweiler Performance and the Kurt Caselli Foundation. Kurt Caselli was a legendary figure in rally racing, and his foundation continues his legacy. They’re currently raffling off a 2024 890 Rally, so check out their website and support a great cause.
Our 2024 KTM 890 Adventure R Rally Project Bike is a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets expertise. Whether you’re looking to build your own dream machine or just dreaming big, remember that with the right parts and a little imagination, anything is possible.
Photos/Videos: KTM Media – Words: Gab Parra
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