Source: Supplied.

KTM has provided a first-look at its highly-anticipated 2019 KTM 790 Adventure R at the KTM European Adventure Rally last week, where a selection of 150 KTM adventure bike owners were treated to an exclusive viewing of the all-new machine in action.

The annual European event, hosted in Olbia, Sardinia, for 2018, provided incredible on and off-road tours across three days of guided riding and tuition from KTM ambassadors and racers.

After the opening riding day of the event, the background and positioning of this exciting new bike was formally introduced to the assembled riders by KTM staff and also ridden at the event by Chris Birch – an eight times New Zealand Enduro champ, triple Roof of Africa winner and 2010 Red Bull Romaniacs laureate.

“I’m honestly blown away by the new KTM 790 Adventure R,” Birch admitted. “Naturally, I’ve got a lot of experience on enduro bikes and the awesome ability of the big KTM adventure models, and this just feels like the perfect combination of them both. Obviously, what I rode is still a prototype, but it´s looking in terrific shape – [I] can’t wait to ride the final product.”

For extreme travel enduro riding, the KTM 790 Adventure R will be a street bike with serious off-road capabilities and unrivalled performance. Complete details of the production bike will be revealed at EICMA in Milan on 6 November.