KTM此次将为is announcing the resurrection and return of its seminal and hugely popular twin-cylinder “middleweight” adventure bike, the KTM 790 Adventure. What’s that, you say? KTM dropped the 790 Adventure for the new and upgraded 890 Adventure. Well, you would be correct, sort of. But only sort of.

Made in China KTM 790 Adventure

That’s because KTM has announced that the 790 Adventure will return in 2023 with some changes. The most significant difference is that the bike will be whollymanufactured by CFMoto in China.

A KTM press release confirms it and provides the details. In it, KTM says that the 2023 790 Adventure was redesigned in Mattighofen, Austria. But they also say that the bike will be produced in China.

“The 2023 KTM 790 ADVENTURE was re-designed and redrafted in Mattighofen, Austria but the production run will be carried out by KTM’s close and potent partner, CFMOTO, with their first-class facilities in China and to the highest standard. The process will be supervised by KTM staff on the ground. The transcontinental cooperation is not the first for KTM and will ensure the adventure spirit can feed directly into the furthest corners of the globe.”

790 Adventure revisions

Revisions to the bike seem to be relatively minor. The LC8 engine still makes a claimed 95 hp @ 8,000 RPM and 88 Nm (65 lb-ft) of torque. However, KTM says that the powerplant has been tweeked for “rideability” while meeting Euro 5 emission requirements. In addition, a new airbox allows freer airflow to the engine.

KTM此次将为’s reconfigured optional Quickshifter+ is said to enable faster shifts, and the bike gets the latest IMU used in the 890 Adventure and 1290 Adventure. The bike also gets ABS, Motor Slip Regulation, and Ride Modes similar to its larger siblings. The body panels have also been changed to reflect a more flowing and less angular look.

In an interesting move, KTM has installed a DEMO mode so riders can test all of the machine’s optional riding modes and features for the first 1,500 km (about 932 miles). Although it is not stated in KTM’s press release, you can reasonably expect that the software will automatically revert to its standard form when the mileage limit is reached. Unfortunately, the price to keep the full riding suite was not announced.

Market and pricing

KTM此次将为was also mum about where the 2023 790 Adventure would be offered. However, if they don’t want the machine to compete against their 890 Adventure, it would seem that the bike might be offered in those markets where the 890 Adventure is not already available and where motorcycles in the more than 500cc range are considered “premium” rides.

Also missing from the presser was any mention of pricing. And if KTM has yet to decide which markets the bike will be released to, that would seem to make sense. But it will be interesting to see where the 790 MSRP falls for each market. Will pricing be significantly less than the 890 Adventure or only slightly less? Again, we will have to wait and see.

If the all-Chinese produced KTM 790 Adventure were to make it to North American shores, would you be interested in buying one? What is the maximum price you would be willing to pay for the slightly smaller displacement but Chinese-made machine? Let us know in the comments below.