KTM 790 Adventure (2019-2020) Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the KTM 790 Adventure.
The KTM 790 Adventure (along with its stablemate the 790 Adventure R) is based on the LC8c engine that first debuted in the KTM 790 Duke, with which the 790 Adventure’s maintenance schedule has some commonalities. It’s a liquid-cooled fuel-injected parallel twin that makes max power of 71 kW (95 hp) at 8250 rpm, with peak torque of 89 Nm (66 ft-lb) coming at 6500 rpm.
The final drive is via a regular wet clutch and chain.
The KTM 790 Adventure’s maintenance schedule and set of components have a lot in common with the KTM 790 Adventure R, but the latter has upgraded suspension and a few other components that make it suitable for off-road travel. But the base model is very off-road capable already.
After a brief stint, the KTM 790 Adventure was replaced by the 2021 KTM 890 Adventure.
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KTM 790 Adventure Service Intervals
The KTM 790 Adventure has 9300 mile / 15000 km or annual service intervals. At every service, change the oil and filter, and do a host of checks.
KTM recommends you check and adjust the valve clearances of the 790 engine every 18600 miles or 30000 km. At the same time, change the spark plugs.
Change the brake fluid every two years, and change the coolant every four, and that’s all there is to it.
What you need to service your KTM 790 Adventure
Apart from basic motorcycle maintenance tools, here are a few spares, fluids, and consumables that will help you service your KTM motorcycle.
| Part | KTM 790 Adventure spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | The manual specifies Motorex Power Synthetic 4T 10W/50, or another SAE 10W/50 fully synthetic engine oil that meets JASO T903 MA2 spec. |
| Oil filter | Use part number 61338015200 or K&N part KN-650, a popular equivalent. (This oil filter is used in most KTM adventure bikes.) |
| Air filter | Use a KT-1113 air filter. |
| Fork oil | The manual recommends SAE 4 fork oil, ideally Motorex 4W fork oil. |
| Brake pads | Use EBC FA244HH for the front and FA181R for the rear. |
| Brake fluid | The manual requires DOT 4 or DOT 5.1, recommending Castrol DOT 4 or Motorex DOT 5.1 brake fluid. |
| Coolant | KTM recommends Motorex Coolant M3.0 or other “high-grade, silicate-free coolant with corrosion inhibitors”. |
| Spark plug | Use an NGK LMAR9AI-10 to change spark plugs. |
| Chain maintenance | KTM recommends using Motorex chain cleaner and Motorex chain lube. But a Motul chain care kit is a popular option. |
Maintenance Schedule for the KTM 790 Adventure
Below is the maintenance schedule for the KTM 790 Adventure, adapted from the manual.
Notes:
- Maintenance schedule intervals for the KTM 790 Adventure are every 15000 km (9300 mi), with a major service (valve service & new plugs) every two intervals.
- After the end of the service schedule, keep repeating it like this — major and minor intervals
- The maintenance schedule in the manual is broken up into two sections — required maintenance and recommended maintenance (but you should do both).
Required maintenance
Below is the required maintenance for the KTM 790 Adventure. The below work is mostly related to motor reliability and motorcycle safety.
| miles x 1000 | 9.3 | 18.6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 15 | 30 | Every |
| [Dealer] Read out the trouble code memory using the KTM diagnostics tool. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| [Dealer] Program the shift shaft sensor. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check that the electrical system is functioning properly. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the engine oil and the oil filter (Motorex Power Synthetic 4T 10W/50 and KN-650) and clean the oil screens. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the front brake linings (FA244HH to replace) | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the rear brake linings (FA181R to replace) | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the brake discs. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the brake lines for damage and leakage | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the front brake fluid level. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the rear brake fluid level. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the front brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | ||
| Change the rear brake fluid (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | ||
| Check the free travel of the clutch lever | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the free travel of the foot brake lever | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the shock absorber and fork for leaks. Perform service as needed and depending on how the vehicle is used. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Clean the dust boots of the fork legs | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check the steering head bearing for play. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the tire condition | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check tire pressure | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the spoke tension | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the rim run-out | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the chain, rear sprocket, engine sprocket, and chain guide. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the chain tension | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the spark plugs (LMAR9AI-10) | ✓ | ||
| Check the valve clearance | ✓ | ||
| Check the coolant fill level and antifreeze | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the cables for damage and routing without kinks | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the air filter (KT-1113), clean the air filter box. | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check the fuel pressure. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the headlight setting | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check that the radiator fan is functioning properly. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Final check: Check the vehicle is roadworthy and take a test ride. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| [Dealer] Read out the error memory after the test ride using the KTM diagnostics tool. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| [Dealer] Set the service interval display. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Make a service entry in KTMDealer.net | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
Recommended maintenance
Below is the recommended maintenance for the 790 Adventure. This is mostly preventative maintenance.
Many of the items below (e.g. checking the bearings, greasing parts, changing the coolant, tightening bolts and nuts) are part of the required maintenance for motorcycles of other brands.
| miles x 1000 | 9.3 | 18.6 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 15 | 30 | Every |
| Check the frame | ✓ | ||
| Check the link fork | ✓ | ||
| Check/clean the oil nozzle for clutch lubrication | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check the fork bearing for play | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check the wheel bearing for play | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Empty the drainage hoses | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check all hoses (fuel, coolant, bleeder, drainage etc.) and sleeves for cracking, leaks, and incorrect routing | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Grease all moving parts (e.g. side stand, hand lever, chain) and check for smooth operation | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the tightness of the safety-relevant screws and nuts which are easily accessible. | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the coolant (Motorex Coolant M3.0) | 4 years |
Wheels and Tyres for the KTM 790 Adventure
The KTM 790 Adventure ships stock with Avon TrailRider tyres, but you can use any kind of tyre you find appropriate.
| Wheel | Tyre size | Tyre pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 90/90-21 M/C 54C M+S TL | 35 psi (2.4 bar) |
| Back | 150/70 R 18 M/C 70V M+S TL | 42 psi (2.9 bar) |
About the KTM 790 Adventure
KTM’s 790 Adventure was a huge step for KTM — a high-performance but low-weight middleweight dual-sport motorcycle with a parallel twin engine. It was an uncontested area when KTM entered it, and so KTM’s bike stood out against the competition, before the Yamaha Ténéré 700.
Before the 790 adventure, KTM only used single-cylinder engines for its lightweight/middleweight class, the largest being the KTM 690 Enduro. KTM still makes the 690 Enduro for some markets. But it’s not an adventure-focused motorcycle in stock trim.
Prior to the 690 Enduro, KTM had of course produced the popular KTM 640 Adventure, powered by the LC4 single-cylinder engine. But that was last produced in 2007, and KTM hadn’t been in the middleweight adventure category for some time.
Both variants of the KTM 790 Adventure (including the 790 Adventure R) share the same motor: a 799cc parallel twin with a 270-degree crankshaft, giving it a slightly lumpy rasp that’s more characterful than for example the BMW F 800 GS’ 360-degree crank.
The motor makes a peak of 71 kW (95 hp) at 8250 rpm — slightly down from the KTM 790 Duke from which it borrows its engine, but with the benefit of a broader spread of torque.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that the 790 Adventure is a pavement-oriented version of the Adventure R. Far from it. It still has ample ground clearance, and dirt-ready wire-spoked wheels in a 21/18 inch combo.
The KTM 790 Adventure base model has WP APEX 43mm forks up front, with no adjustability, and a WP APEX rear shock. On both sides there’s 200 mm of travel, which is decent but not outrageously long (this is not a dirt bike — nor is its stablemate).
The 790 Adventure R’s major advantage is the suspension, plus a few other components that make it more suitable for off-road work. Though it’s still not a dirt bike!
The 790 Adventure also has quite advanced electronics — with ride modes, IMU-assisted cornering ABS and traction control.
The 790 Adventure was replaced relatively shortly after launch in the 2021 model year by the KTM 890 Adventure, much to the chagrin of early adopters of the 790. However, the 790 Adventure is still made for many markets.
It’s also the same engine used in CFMOTO motorcycles, like the CFMOTO 800MT, also known as the CFMOTO Ibex 800.
Manual for the KTM 790 Adventure
The above maintenance schedule comes from the user’s manual for the KTM 790 Adventure, also cross-referencing other parts schedules.
You can get the user manual directly from KTM’s website.
