2020 Ktm 790 Adventure R problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (4) · Fuel/Propulsion System (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ktm 790 Adventure R model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2021-04-30 · campaign 21V304000 · 3,707 vehicles
Defect: KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 KTM 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R, and 2020 KTM 790 Adventure R Rally motorcycles. The front brake master cylinder piston return spring may be too weak to return the brake piston to its original position, reducing the functionality of the front brake.
Risk: A front brake with reduced functionality may increase the distance required to stop as well as the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace the return spring, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 21, 2021. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is KTM2106.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2020-04-06 · campaign 20V198000 · 3,164 vehicles
Defect: KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 790 Adventure and 790 Adventure R motorcycles. The rear brake hose may overheat, causing the rear brake system to fail.
Risk: If the rear brake system fails, there would be reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: KTM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new rear brake line, free of charge. The recall began April 28, 2020. Owners may contact KTM customer service at 1-888-985-6090. KTM's number for this recall is TB2011.
Service bulletins (6)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2024-09-04 · KTB2415 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ktm will also retroactively examine warranty or goodwill applications if customers of affected models have already had repairs carried out at their own expense by an authorized ktm dealer in the past due to damaged camshafts or finger followers. if the conditions explained in the communication with
Engine 2024-07-08 · KTB2410 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
even though complaints have been reported about the camshafts on the 790 duke/adventure my 2018- 2020 models, examinations of the allegedly defective camshafts have shown that a large proportion of these camshafts are in order. in these cases, it is not a question of wear, but usually only of discol
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2021-04-20 · KTB2106 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
on affected motorcycles there is a possibility that the preload force of the return spring is too low and does not meet the specified tolerance. this could result in the brake piston not being returned to its original position which in rare cases can impair the function of the front brake. to ensure
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control 2020-07-14 · TB2012R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
for the 2019 and 2020 790 adventure and 790 adventure r models, ktm has enabled the ability to purchase and install the quickshifter+ technical accessory software extension again using only the xc_2 diagnostic tool. on certain 2020 790 adventure r rally models, it is possible that the cruise control
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control 2020-04-16 · TB202R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin supersedes ktb2012 dated april 15, 2020 because the 2020 890 duke r software installation errors have been resolved. ktm north america, inc. has identified a technical problem using the xc_2 tool when attempting to purchase and install some of the technical accessories software extensi
Vehicle Speed Control:cruise Control 2020-04-15 · TB2012 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ktm north america, inc. has identified a technical problem using the xc_2 tool when attempting to purchase and install some of the technical accessories software extensions for the above-mentioned model motorcycles.
What owners report
2021-09-11 · Service Brakes“rear brakes: the line that leads from the fluid reservoir to the master cylinder has popped out twice (the 90degree fitting at the master cylinder) resulting in a loss of rear brake use. …”
2021-02-01 · Service Brakes · 1,650 mi“front brake locked up on its own while travelling at 50mph on pavement. had been riding 10 minutes, had used the front brake very little prior to it locking up. to get the brake to release, i held pressure on the front brake lever and opened the brake caliper bleed nipple to release brake fluid.…”
2020-12-06 · Service Brakes · 2,000 mi“front brakes shudder at low speeds making the motorcycle difficult to control at low speeds under braking…”
2020-11-29 · Unknown Or Other · 600 mi“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 ha…”
2020-11-14 · Service Brakes · 1,000 mi“the front brake system brakes unevenly at slow speeds. it is most noticeable when coming to a stop downhill. it feels as if there is a sticky or uneven area on the rotors. it is not felt in the brake lever. you feel it in the whole bike. there is also brake fluid leaking from under the reservoir cap. this all started happening around the first 1000…”
2020-05-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 100 mi“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…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.