KTM 390 Adventure virtual introduction

The 390 platform, which North Americans have seen in the Duke 390 and Husqvarna 'Pilen 401s, is a known quantity at this point. Also known is the North American market’s demand for a light, punchy mini-ADV with enough performance to keep your heart rate up.

Combining the 390 powerplant with KTM’s well known ADV prowess makes this bike a no-brainer, and on top of that, it’s already available in other markets. At last, the KTM 390 Adventure is confirmed for the United States. Here’s what we know.

We’ll kick things off with the 390 ADV’s powerplant, since we’ve already experienced that in a few bikes. The 373 cc engine is right in line with the previous iterations we’ve seen. That means around 43 horsepower and 26 foot-pounds of torque.

The ADV gets the same dual overhead cams, four valves, and magic button of the Duke and Huskies. The engine also gets a slipper clutch, ride-by-wire, and an upsized radiator. It’s an efficient little lump, too. The 390 ADV can squeeze about 250 miles out of its 3.8-gallon tank.

Moving to the chassis, KTM claims that the 390 ADV recalls the 450 Rally’s design. I see most of the resemblance in the steel trellis section, which is KTM’s de facto style at this point, anyway. I’m thinking the trellis chassis will be just dandy, and from what I’ve seen of these bikes in markets where they’re already available, riders agree. The steel subframe is removable by undoing four screws. And check out that swingarm. It uses the same lattice construction as KTM’s larger offerings, instead of the simple box construction you’ll see in some competitors. 

Those familiar with KTM won’t be surprised by the WP APEX suspension. Travel is 6.7 inches in the front and 7.0 inches at the rear. The fork, which KTM claims was originally built for enduro riding, is a 43 mm and fully adjustable. Out back, the rear shock is adjustable for preload and rebound.

The BYBRE brakes are a step down from what you’d see in KTM’s mid-tier and premium offerings, although we won’t know how they perform until we get our hands on a test bike. This bike is also built to an entry-level price, so keep that in mind. 

The electronics suite is on the advanced side for its class. The first thing you’ll encounter is a TFT display. That’s par for the course on anything KTM does these days, and that’s also something more and more riders seem to want. Other onboard tech includes lean-sensitive traction control, two-channel cornering ABS, and an off-road ABS setting. KTM MY RIDE is equipped as standard for Bluetooth connectivity.

In KTM’s words, the 390 Adventure is a “light, agile and confidence-inspiring entry model for riders looking to discover the world of adventure riding, this motorcycle offers added versatility for touring and light offroading.” Read that again. KTM does not intend riders to use this motorcycle as a hardcore ADV machine. Sure, people like Spurgeon will still try, but this feels like the precursor to a tougher “390 Adventure R” to come, not KTM’s first and only contribution to this class. I don’t have any inside sources or anything, I just think that a meaner 390 with spoked 21/18 wheels is just as inevitable as this light ADV/touring bike. 

The competition

If we stick to strictly small ADVs, and exclude dual-sports and dirt bikes, the KTM 390 Adventure looks to be one of the most appealing entries in its class. It has power, tech, and suspension advantages over mini-ADV competitors like the Kawasaki Versys-X 300, the Royal Enfield Himalayan, the Honda CRF250L Rally, and the BMW G 310 GS. I don’t think it would be too much of a stretch to compare this to Honda’s CB500X, either. This class is definitely heating up, and KTM is in a good position to lead the pack with the new 390 ADV.

However, the 390 ADV’s alloy wheels and 19/17 wheelset might leave the most adventuresome folks out there wanting more… or just waiting a little longer for a more aggressive version. The 390 ADV also costs a bit more than its competitors in exchange for its above-average features. 

The 2020 KTM 390 Adventure has an MSRP of $6,199, and will be hitting dealerships soon. 

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