The KTM 390 Adventure is coming

Ok, so I don't actually have a diary and, if I did, I doubt Mr. Pierer really cares about my opinions enough to hire spies to read it. But he should. Because my ideas are awesome.

However, even without my help, the Austrian brand is doing a pretty fantastic job of creating the motorcycles we want and deserve (even if I am still a little sore about not getting the 1050 Adventure on this side of the Atlantic).

After many a rumor, automotive site CarTrade is reporting that KTM has just delivered two units of the KTM 390 Adventure to India for research and development. Much like Honda built a range of bikes around its new 500 cc engine, a dual-sport model would round out KTM's range using the single-cylinder, 373 cc engine in the Duke 390 and RC 390, which makes 43 horsepower and 25 foot-pounds of torque.

The KTM 390 Adventure first popped up in an interview done by CycleNews with KTM President and CEO Stefan Pierer back in April of 2013, with Pierer stating "...we're also developing a so-called dual purpose or dual-sport version of each version (200 cc and 390 cc), which I would say is a mix between supermoto and enduro."

While there's basically no chance we would see a 200 cc version, it seems possible that we could see a 390 Adventure make its way stateside.

For the sake of comparison, the most capable small-displacement dual-sport is currently the Yamaha WR250R, which makes 24 horsepower. The similarly displaced Suzuki DR-Z400S only makes 31 horsepower and likely wouldn't be as capable off-road as the KTM.

This thing just jumped to the top of my Christmas list. Looks like I better start being nice to Lance and Lemmy now.