Mythical Routes is known for its multiday off-road motorcycle travels on mid-range displacement adventure motorcycles, and for its contributions to the development of some serious adventure-oriented bike builds like the Husqvarna 701 Rally Replica. Once again in 2019, we joined forces with Aurora Rally Equipment to help develop an upgraded version of the best adventure motorcycle since 2019, the awesome KTM 790 Adventure R. Aurora's reputation is already rock-solid at this point, with products that feature zero construction failures. Keep in mind that the Aurora Roadbook Holder is well known in the Dakar community and took part in many races such as Merzouga Rally, Africa Eco Race, Morocco Desert Challenge, etc.
Speaking with Dimitris Lasithiotakis, head developer of Aurora Rally Equipment, it was clear from the start that “weight is always an important factor". The KTM 790/890 Adventure is the perfect example to explain that the actual weight of the individual parts does not actually matter that much. It’s the design behind them that matters the most. The 790/890 Adventure, for example, has the tank positioned in a way that keeps the fuel weight low, resulting in unique mass centralization. Just pushing the bike around, it immediately feels feather-light, even though it is not that light. It’s the design characteristics behind it that make it perfectly balanced.
The Aurora 790/890 Rally kit is designed with the same principle in mind. The total weight of the motorcycle remains more or less unchanged after the installation of the kit, but the center of gravity of the whole assembly is moved closer to the headstock, minimizing the cantilever effect. The lights and the main parts of the tower bring the weight closer to the handlebars, while the smart choice of materials, further allowed them to move the center of gravity where we wanted it in the design phase. For example, the stainless steel bottom cover is chosen (both in design, geometry, and thickness) so that the center of gravity of the assembly is moved lower and closer to the bike. This results in a rally kit that not only will improve the looks of your 790/890 Adventure but will increase the functionality and performance as well!
Given the motorcycle's unparalleled aesthetics and functionality upgrade, it takes it one step closer to KTM Ready to Race DNA
From our first rides, it was obvious that not only did the "ready to race" feeling of the 790/890 Adventure R remained the same, but instrument visibility drastically increased in standing position with the GPS and OEM instruments getting closer to you, augmenting the riding experience, like a factory rally bike. At the same time, due to the taller KTM Rally screen, superior wind protection is provided.
The rally Navi-tower is solid and gives you the option to mount the OEM dash on the handlebar so that the rally-oriented riders can mount the rally roadbook on top of the tower array. As noted above, the Aurora Roadbook Holder is well known in the global rally community. At this point, we have to mention that we have seen many other builders that incorporate all instrumentation mounted on them, resulting in larger and longer sizing, moving the weight further away from the center of gravity, and unfortunately changing the chassis characteristics as well. We are very happy with Aurora's design and we feel that many actual off-road riders will see that as an advantage of this kit. Even when used for fast road riding with the rider in the seated position, all instrumentation is at a comfortable distance from your eyes, and the GPS position helps to interact with it, without stretching too much.
Add to the mix a couple of accessories from top manufacturers, and this has the potential to be the best long-distance adventure motorcycle you can buy
Arguably the KTM 690 Enduro R is sitting in the exact middle of the enduro and adventure class. It is maybe the best off-road platform to build your ideal overland motorcycle since it is light enough to handle serious single tracks and large enough to carry most of your luggage. It is the vehicle of choice for most riders riding around the world without the physical support of a second rider when the riding gets tough.
The only obvious lacking feature of the KTM 690 platform is the absence of wind protection and a comfortable location to mount your GPS and other devices. Aurora Rally provides 2+1 options for the 690 Enduro: the 690 Rally Lite (the kit we are using), and the 690 Xplorer (similar to the Husqvarna 701 Rally Replica), with the only difference being the presence -or not- of two massive KTM side rally tanks. The last option it the Super 690 (just rally tanks and no fairing), but this is probably pointless as an adventure-travel upgrade.
Unless you are traveling in remote locations like the Pamir Highway and desperately need every single liter of gasoline that you can carry, the 690 Rally Lite is the best upgrade for your KTM 690 Enduro. The fairing never gets in the way at the most technical riding, and as many of our ex-racer friends have noticed like Randy Commans (a.k.a @my1090r):
the additional weight up front drastically improves the dynamic characteristics of the KTM 690 Enduro R with its rear-located tank
Aurora's well-known Spider head clamp design eliminates a design issue of the KTM, the weak headlight brackets that have been known for breaking at the top weldment of the frame after a "nice" crash. On other kits, you have to add $80 just for this reinforcement. In addition, the Aurora clamp is 35% lighter than the first gen of spider clamps introduced back in 2016, proving that Aurora's engineers keep pushing the boundaries of material technology.
The OEM led is replaced by Baja Designs Squadron “sport” as a high beam (road use only) and is not road legal in the EU. The main beam is a Hella 60mm led bulb and seems to provide better light than the OEM lamps do. Everything is well protected since it is located under the OEM KTM-Rally mask and the OEM KTM- Rally stone guard, all from the KTM rally bikes. We may soon upgrade even that setup when Aurora comes with an extra set of Baja, using an extra bracket left and right of the bike under the lovely molded ABS side panels.
📸 images © Simon Cudby
