[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by rb2399

A ride to Kashmir valley this week and the bike crossed the 85K mark. Hopefully she'll breach 100K during next year

Before leaving for Kashmir, I got the rear suspension upgraded to the adjustable one and it definitely makes a difference. I am now contemplating getting the front one upgraded as well

85k is a superb number, congratulations and happy to read it’s been flawless. Hope it continues that way. Onward to a 100k and beyond

Since you have majorly used the stock suspension it would be interesting to know detailed differences between the two and what settings you are running as well.

Thank you.

[rb2399]

Originally Posted by Cyborg

Since you have majorly used the stock suspension it would be interesting to know detailed differences between the two and what settings you are running as well

Suspension was never a forte for the ADV 390 in my opinion. The rear especially used to feel very wooden in nature. This has been changed entirely now with the adjustable one coming in.
Case in point is the white colour painted rumbler strips which are a norm these days. With the original suspension, I used to feel the jerks. Now with the adjustable one, that's no longer the case.
As far as setting is concerned, I am using the stock one right now and yet to experiment further.

[Shur'tugal]

Hi all
I have a Honda CB350, and am looking to upgrade. Its just 10 months old, but I've ridden 14k KM, and have realised I want a bike that can cruise at speeds higher than 85/90kmph. And want a suspension that does better on rough roads (not sure about off roading, yet).

After trying a bunch of bikes, I've narrowed it down to the ADV 390 and the new Himalayan. An interesting (and tempting) option is a second hand ADV 390.

I've found a well-maintained, with complete service history bike for 2.5 lakh. It is a 2020 make and has completed 22k KM.

Is the price okay? Any cons on buying second hand?
Anyone with a perspective on the Himalayan vs the ADV 390?

[kaushalswarup]

Originally Posted by Shur'tugal

Anyone with a perspective on the Himalayan vs the ADV 390?

There’s a great comparison between the two on the official Himalayan thread.
Also, Bosky of Big Bear Customs, has a great 2-part comparison video on YouTube.

But coming down to it, nothing beats testing both bikes out yourself to understand in detail.

[Shur'tugal]

Originally Posted by kaushalswarup

There’s a great comparison between the two on the official Himalayan thread.
Also, Bosky of Big Bear Customs, has a great 2-part comparison video on YouTube.

But coming down to it, nothing beats testing both bikes out yourself to understand in detail.

I've seen Bosky's video, Bullu's video and read the thread. Been through all 86 pages of this thread as well.
I rode a new 390 ADV and two second hand ones + the
Himalayan.

Both bikes felt good, Himalayan had a much, much nicer suspension, while the KTM felt a lot more nimble.

After the price hike of the Himalayan and the high quality of the second hand ADVs - more confused then before as to what to do. Hence this post.

[shyamg28]

Originally Posted by Shur'tugal

I've seen Bosky's video, Bullu's video and read the thread. Been through all 86 pages of this thread as well.
I rode a new 390 ADV and two second hand ones + the
Himalayan.

Both bikes felt good, Himalayan had a much, much nicer suspension, while the KTM felt a lot more nimble.

After the price hike of the Himalayan and the high quality of the second hand ADVs - more confused then before as to what to do. Hence this post.

About 1.5 years ago, I had booked the Adv 390. Was even about to take delivery but changed my mind because my wife & I decided to get another motorcycle. Suffice it to say, it still remains one of my favourite do-it-all motorcycles.

After extensively test riding it with pillion (my wife), I came to the conclusion that while its characteristics are more suited for someone that is willing to be engaged throughout a ride, its refinement alone needs to go up quite a few notches to make it a genuinely smooth and comfortable bike for a 20 day trip with my wife. That's what we concluded back then for ourselves. If it was just me, I'd have taken delivery

Now, coming to the Himalayan - it only gets gruff at 120kph (6k rpm) for me. But till there, I felt the bike was relatively smooth. And importantly, it's got enough grunt for those highway overtaking manouvers where the ex-411 behaves like a 100cc motorcycle. This for me is a highlight on the new 450. Not really its improved top-end, which it has, leaps and bounds, but for me, the cruising speed on this bike might still be under the 120kph mark. Where it settles easily. Of course the suspension which you already pointed out - the Adv 390 cannot hold a candle against this new Showa setup on the 450. And I've ridden both enough to know this now.
Then there's the weight, typically only felt when pushing the bike around, picking it up in a water crossing, heck even just lifting it off the side stand Not a deal breaker for me because I can manage all these. And there are techniques one can learn to do all this. On the move, the 450 is really nimble. I had a blast riding it through city.
For reference, I use my 411 as a daily rider. So I personally don't buy into the "it's not for city" argument. I can fully understand why some others might.

It's all relative.

Let me conclude by saying what I would do now, if I was in the market for yet another Adv lol -

Touring with a pillion - test ride and identify what my pillion likes. This is more important than what I personally feel comfortable on. For us, Himalayan is aces.

Touring alone - I based my decision back in 2022 on the experience specifically of 2 individuals on this forum who have taken their Adv 390s to the moon and back. It's the bike I would still go for if I could afford it.

City + touring - probably the Adv 390 because of its 20kg advantage. But if touring involves a pillion, again, Himalayan. For me personally, the Himalayan's weight is a non issue. You need to decided this for yourself.

Off roading - hmm...it would be like giving an opinion on space rocket dynamics after flying many paper planes. Since you mentioned rough roading alone, the Himalayan will do it way better, the Adv 390 isn't bad at all.

I understand I might've only added to the confusion. Sorry.

While I understand we're value conscious, I'd say put the price and discounts aside and introspect about what you feel on each motorcycle. Over various terrains and situations. Then take the call.

End of the day, you're in a great spot to pick up a very capable motorcycle, whichever way you lean.

[100Kmphormore]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

While I understand we're value conscious, I'd say put the price and discounts aside and introspect about what you feel on each motorcycle. Over various terrains and situations. Then take the call.

End of the day, you're in a great spot to pick up a very capable motorcycle, whichever way you lean.

Shyam, well said. I went for the Himalayan 411 as it was in my budget though I liked the ADV 390, but 6 months down the line I realized though I loved it, it was too slow for its own good and got bored of it (as a majorly road tourer). On a recent trip to Wayanad I was badly missing the 450 as I had ridden it 15 km the day before, its what should have been launched in 2016, the 390 Adventure probably wouldnt have stood a chance in 2020. No prizes for guessing what I am getting for an upgrade soon - what I had originally liked!

I would say wait for the 2025 390 Adventure or get the April/May 2024 made batches of the 450. If its now the standard 390, not the SW. Tubeless is a huge convenience during long distance touring.

[vishal.joshi]

Originally Posted by rb2399

A ride to Kashmir valley this week and the bike crossed the 85K mark. Hopefully she'll breach 100K during next year

Wow, Congratulations on touching the 85K milestone, looks like your`s is the most run 390 ADV in the group.

Since you have run quite a huge number, would you mind sharing your current tyre setup (make and profile) and which ones would you recommend.

[Shur'tugal]

Originally Posted by shyamg28

End of the day, you're in a great spot to pick up a very capable motorcycle, whichever way you lean.

Thank you Shyam!

This is super helpful. Almost all my riding will be solo - 60% city and 40% highway.

Basis your advice, the 390 adventure seems to be the way to go. But for some reason I'm still not convinced - will go test ride once more!

[siddhant]

6 months update and a review of ProSpec Easy Cruz for cruise control

My bike is 6 months old today and has already run 12,500 kms. For comparison, I rode my CBR 27,000 kms (only?) in 3.5 years! Yeah, I think that's a lot of riding, at least for me! At this rate, I might even break rb2399's record of 75k in 3 years!

Major trips that drove up the ODO:

1. 4000 km solo Uttarakhand (mostly Kumaon region) trip from Bhubaneshwar in October.
2. 2500 km Bhubaneshwar-Hyderabad-Bhubaneshwar trip in November.
3. 1200 km Bhubaneshwar-Hyderabad trip in December. I started working from office.

I did a full tank refill everytime. Although, I have not have fed all the service costs in this app.


Highlight of the year for me: Himalayas in the background


After much deliberation, got myself a set of Carbon Racing saddle stays and Viaterra Condor Solo
which goes quite well with my Dirtsack Max 30

My review of ProSpec Easy Cruz

During my Uttarakhand ride, I used a throttle assist that clips around the throttle but that broke after just 2 rides since I used to take it out in the city. I got the Easy Cruz recently and used it in my recent Bhubaneshwar-Hyderabad ride. I think I used it about 40% of the time and that is plenty of rest for your right hand on 10+ hour rides. First day - I did 640 kms to Rajamundhry and there was absolutely ZERO fatigue with respect to my right hand/wrist.

Fitting it is quite easy. Just unscrew the RH bar end and plug in the Easy Cruz as replacement to the OEM spacer that sits between the throttle handle and bar-end weight. How to operate? Basically, as you turn the device in the same direction as opening the throttle, you start to tighten it and it begins locking the throttle gradually. The more you tighten it, the harder it locks the throttle. And, on closing the throttle, the lock is released.

Left - not locking the throttle, Right - locking the throttle. See how it moves a little bit to the left and grabs on!

I didn't really need to tighten it a whole lot to lock it. Just 1 or 2 twists and that was usually sufficient to lock it at a certain speed. After it's locked, opening the throttle more would get harder (depending on how much you tightened it) as the lock creates resistance to opening the throttle. But, I found it quite easy to open/close the throttle a tiny bit - say just about enough to get your cruise speed up from 100 kmph to 110 kmph on a flat highway. A thing to note is that on closing the throttle, the device's hold on the throttle also loosens a fair bit making it easier to operate the throttle normally (although it won't be as free as stock).

Left: Normal hand position
Center: hand on top of device and when I open the throttle, the device also tightens a bit
Right: alternative way of tightening on-the-go (used the most, easy to get used to after a while)

Also, as fate would have it, I got to test this device in a panic situation when a dog jumped on to the road and I had the speed locked around 90 or 95 kmph. I was mentally prepared to roll off the throttle, had my hand in that position and was able to brake sufficiently in time. However, instincts kicked in and since I was still getting used to this, I applied the brakes even when I hadn't completely rolled off the throttle (throttle was still open about 5% maybe). Fortunately, I was able to slow down in time. It's important to practice on completely open roads for 20-30 kms before locking in at higher speeds.

It also improved the FE and made me realize how much I wring the throttle. I started getting 28+ kmpl (tankful basis) even when cruising above 100 kmph. Without EasyCruz, the most I'd get is 27 kmpl at similar speeds. Overall, I'd say it's a good option although a bit pricey!

[rb2399]

Originally Posted by vishal.joshi

Since you have run quite a huge number, would you mind sharing your current tyre setup (make and profile) and which ones would you recommend.

I've been running on Metz tourance till the time they became exorbitantly priced and after that I switched over to MRF Motogrip Meteor M2 (rear),MRF Zapper Kurve F (front) in stock size.

For the next tyre change, I am planning to go in for Reise tyres (https://reisemoto.com/) as they're available in stock size (which is what I prefer)

My first choice will always be Metz as they offer excellent grip in a variety of conditions.

[boniver]

Has anyone used the JB Racing top box and the JB Racing backrack for ADV? I'm having trouble installing it correctly

[virajvroom]

Originally Posted by boniver

Has anyone used the JB Racing top box and the JB Racing backrack for ADV? I'm having trouble installing it correctly

Could you please elaborate on the issue? I am planning to buy one.

[virajvroom]

Originally Posted by siddhant

6 months update and a review of ProSpec Easy Cruz for cruise control

Also, as fate would have it, I got to test this device in a panic situation when a dog jumped on to the road and I had the speed locked around 90 or 95 kmph. I was mentally prepared to roll off the throttle, had my hand in that position and was able to brake sufficiently in time. However, instincts kicked in and since I was still getting used to this, I applied the brakes even when I hadn't completely rolled off the throttle (throttle was still open about 5% maybe). Fortunately, I was able to slow down in time. It's important to practice on completely open roads for 20-30 kms before locking in at higher speeds.

Attachment 2553637

The throttle locks are a hit and a miss. The experiences vary from rider to rider. I faced the exact same situation except it was a cow. One reason why I am an avid proponent of brake-linked cruise controls. I have managed to get the 790s CC installed on my 390 ADV but as of now it's not a pocket-friendly option and our customs dept is like We need a 70% cut. However, there seems to be a manual option called Close-Control on Amazon. Its a throttle lock that disengages on engaging the front brake. Feels like a knockoff of the Brakeaway products. However at ~5K, way cheaper than Brakeaway and safer than the usual throttle locks.

https://closecontrol.in/

[virajvroom]

Originally Posted by skviknaraj

Hello folks,

I am looking to add some aux lights to my 390 adv with yellow lenses. I find the stock headlight useless during rains.

As far as I know the 390 adventure comes with 2 accessories points in the front and rear each and with an 15 amp fuse translating to 180 watts capacity (15amp*12V). Is this calculation correct?

Any pointers or experience would be helpful.

Not good with the calculations. But after doing a lot of introspecting I ditched the HJG 4 LED 60W CREE with the dimmer option. 7K is overkill for me as I will use those only in long rides and detach the lamps for daily commutes (at least that's what the lawmakers expect).

Then started searching for pocket-friendly options. Stumbled upon Macbot. Feels like a knockoff of HJGs but has some good reviews and claims to be waterproof. So the whole setup should be ready within 3k including the flasher harness and switch. The rest that I save will be used for buying other regular use accessories.