[navin_v8]

KTM by offering the ADV X version is opening up another option for a price conscious market like ours. It would be interesting to see what is the OTR price difference between the ADV X and top variant Duke 390. Although both motorcycles are different, but I reckon most people cross shopping, would give a serious consideration when taking the decision.

I have had some serious near misses on my non-ABS Tbird500. The importance of safety aids, especially in a motorcycle is non-negotiable. Had RE been offering two channel ABS as an option in 2014, I would have opted for the same, premium notwithstanding. In one of the podcasts, I heard Shumi (Shubhabhrata Marmar) mentioning about helmets, he said, choose the safest helmet possible in your budget or even out of your budget, while considering your head's (life) net worth.

Are riding safety aids necessary? Yes. If given an option I would choose the motorcycle having most safety aids vis a vis its vanilla cousin.

Is 60K premium for a full specced KTM ADV 390 worth it? Hell Yes! My life is much more precious than 60K, considering my net worth.

Each rider is different and budget constraints are real. KTM is offering options to each rider. At the end of the day, the choice is ours.

P.S. I ride relics (RE's) from a bygone era and let me tell, no matter how skilled I am or how strong my reflexes are, I can manually never match electronic safety aids like ABS/cornering ABS, traction control, quick shifter+slipper clutch, etc. in case of an unforeseen incident on/off road.

[masterChief007]

I visited the showroom yesterday. There will be 3 trims, adventure x, adventure std and adventure rally (with tubeless spokes). Also true is that the alloyed versions will get seat height alterations. Will go for a test ride this weekend.

In this debate of adventure x, it's always good to have more options. So buyers can choose what they want. Many of the BHPians here are absolutely right to have as much safety as possible, but in my financial situation adventure x gives me all the features that the interceptor 650 has within the price bracket I am looking at. Specially this will help KTM gate these cross-sales from either himalayan/interceptor etc.

I had 70% leaning towards interceptor before this adventure X news, now I am 60% towards adventure x. This happens so because if I buy the interceptor I will be in the "Royal Enfield rut" and maybe in my life never be able to experience another make of motorcycle (interceptor has a sort of "forever after" motorcycle vibe!).

Also after buying the machine I have to shell more on it for crash-guards/touring accessories etc which will again pinch my budget. For interceptor even the seats and rims will need further investment (I would convert to the tubeless rims/alloys - way2speed etc if possible/available, i don't like the new alloy interceptor colors ... ).

[iron.head]

Some of the world's best 40 to 80 HP Dual Sport / ADV motorcycles have had no ABS, no TC and riders still continue to buy them and ride them. There is a boundary between Dual Sport / Adv vs a Dirt / Single track motorcycle and some riders venture into the dirt bike category with these Dual Sport motorcycles which says a lot.

ABS is enough for street riding on a 40 HP motorcycle and the huge saving makes it a no brainer that the Adventure X is a great choice and an excellent move by KTM India.

[bhansali_hardik]

visited a KTM showroom today to checkout if there were any details for the x variant, looks like there is just 1 sent out in B'lore as of now and it's in process to get registered and other RTO formalities in place for the whole lot. There are no details on the spoked version yet (will be more expensive than the outgoing 390) have put down money for x and will pick one up once it's available.

PS : Have a dominar 400 in my garage now with new pilot sport tires and a sprocket have to find a route to sell it now totally unplanned purchase this is!

[gargville]

I am also upgrading from Dominar 400.
Went to local KTM showroom today. Got the following quote for '390 Adventure X'
Ex Showroom: 280062
RTO: 27142
Insurance: 27624
Extended Warranty: 2000
Total: 336828

No cashless insurance offered and their quote is also higher. Most insurance companies are quoting approx 20000. I have asked the dealer to match this amount.
Lets see.

[masterChief007]

Any Ideas on the waiting period? last time I visited KTM in BLR they were clueless. I am visiting tomorrow for a test ride, lets see how it goes (TR vehicle will mostly be the STD variant, but since there is no practical difference its ok).

Also planning to TR the interceptor tomorrow.

[masterChief007]

Originally Posted by masterChief007

I am visiting tomorrow for a test ride, lets see how it goes ....
Also planning to TR the interceptor tomorrow.

Now this post is going to be a bit long. I was excited to test ride the bikes today so I woke up had breakfast and rushed out. First I landed up into the KTM showroom which is near my house.


KTM: Went to the KTM showroom and got a TD vehicle for 2021 model. Monday they will get a adventure X vehicle. Tyre etc are going to be exactly same, he asked me to visit on monday and check it in flesh.

I was given the bike promptly, but I did a longish test ride as my first loop I was getting used to the controls and so when giving the bike back he said test ride is for short loop. I made some excuse and fixed monday appointment for the adventure x.

TD details:
1. I stalled the bike in my first attempt as I am used to the bullets torque jerk in first gear, so was giving too little throttle and it stalled. Once I drilled that in mind the bike never stalled.
2. Gear shift is precise but not as smooth at the honda highness/interceptor(i will input my inty TD below).
3. Engine vibration is there but not at all an inconvinience from my perspective, Sounds a bit rough at time when you are at the gear speed boundary of an higher gear. Interceptors engine is like butter.
4. The controls are light compared to the interceptor, the gear shifter one has to toe into the bike else I missed pressing the lever due to my RE habitual riding position, but this is a matter of getting used to.
5. Commanding seat height and it is no problem at all for me even though I had to tip-toe, Actually since the bike is so light weight that you don't need to provide too much support from your feet so a tip toe is good enough.
6. Breaks are quite good.
7. Exptremely comfortable ride, also if you are able to slip the clutch then it can take speed breaker in 2nd gear too without stall.

After TD of the KTM i was at 80% sure about the bike. It is lightweight, height is not an issue to me anymore and I am sure I can manage it in offroads. Then I decided to go to RE showroom in Jayanagar.

RE Jayanagar: I was promptly attended to and told that there is no TD vehicle and they have only classic for TD. Asked me to visit the BTM showroom. While talking I realised I was wearing my T-Shirt inside out !! After seeing that I went to their restroom and sorted it out. Talk about being excited

RE BTM: In RE BTM too I got the TD vehicle promptly it was parked on an elevated pavement. I took it down reversed with the strong front breaks and it was not difficult as they stop the bike in its track, actually in my bullet the front break was not able to stop the bike from rolling back when I was reversing it (I generally use rear break on reverse but it needed both feet to maneuver here). Let me give you my observations:

1. Weight: It is no doubt a heavy motorcycle and people will find it a bit cumbersome if they have to maneuver against a slope manually with engine off. But for me it was not too heavy as my bike is also heavy and I manage it fine. Maybe 5-10 kgs more heavier than mine. But for offroad it maybe a problem if you want to push it in loose surface without the engine helping you.
2. Engine: Engine is ultra refined, it is so smooth that I couldn't fathom that it's an RE engine, I was sold out on just the engine !! Its not jerky like the KTM and there are no vibrations I felt in low speeds.
3. Gearbox: Gearbox is ultra precise and slick shifting, feel is better than that of KTM.
4. Clucth: Clutch is harder than KTM but lighter than my bullet so no complaints.
5. Footpegs: this is the nastiest part of the bike. Always hitting the calf muscles at every occasion possible.

Spoke wheel replacement: In jayanagar showroom I was told that the wheels can be swapped to alloys, and this mod might be avaialble to users in 2-3 months. Similar stuff I heard in their BTM showroom. Also 2-3 months waiting is there for inty 650 red color. For other colors i am not that much keen. In BTM they have some grey interceptor which is ready to go. But if that is the vehicle in the showroom then don't go for that, its tyres are not aligned properly and lot of marks here and there.

Now verdict: If I would not have leh-ladakh/spiti/northeast in my travel calendar or no offroad, go ahead and pickup interceptor 650 eyes closed. Also if there was not adventure X option I would have gone for inty 650.

But if you want to go for offroads/or one of those destinations are mentioned are in your list you may choose the adventure x (or std as you may like).

For me I would prefer adventure X as of todays ride experience. Let me visit them in the showroom next and i will also rent the two vehicles for a day each and then decide.

[advstreak]

Originally Posted by masterChief007

Now verdict: If I would not have leh-ladakh/spiti/northeast in my travel calendar or no offroad, go ahead and pickup interceptor 650 eyes closed. Also if there was not adventure X option I would have gone for inty 650.

But if you want to go for offroads/or one of those destinations are mentioned are in your list you may choose the adventure x (or std as you may like).

Sorry to digress from the topic but if you can wait for year or so, the SCRAM 650 should be launched. I hope that it solves most of the ergonomics problems the INT 650 has.

You can see the spy pics here: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ad-unveil.html

Personally I am waiting for the next gen KTM ADV 390( assuming its much smoother than current gen at low speeds) and the RE Scram 650 to upgrade from my current KTM 250 ADV.

[masterChief007]

Originally Posted by advstreak

the SCRAM 650 should be launched. I hope that it solves most of the ergonomics problems the INT 650 has.

If the re comes with such a compelling product in next year, it will take some time to iron out it's glitches. This twin is a heavy engine and for an adv the frame would definitely need good amount of tweaking/testing. So aim for 2-3 years from now.

is it true that the 390 adv is remapping it's engine? didn't hear this anywhere. If that happens and they make the torque curve flatter it becomes more exciting

Also Himalayan 450 will be releasing just now. you may try that too, coming from 250 adv it will be a total new fun.

[bhansali_hardik]

Originally Posted by masterChief007

Now this post is going to be a bit long. I was excited to test ride the bikes today so I woke up had breakfast and rushed out. First I landed up into the KTM showroom which is near my house.


….vehicles for a day each and then decide.

Interesting, if I may which showroom did you visit for the KTM?

[advstreak]

Originally Posted by masterChief007

If the re comes with such a compelling product in next year, it will take some time to iron out it's glitches. This twin is a heavy engine and for an adv the frame would definitely need good amount of tweaking/testing. So aim for 2-3 years from now.

So the proper ADV with a revised frame is planned to come much later and it has not been spotted yet. The Scram 650 as you can see in the spy pics is based on the INT chassis and is more of variation of the INT rather than a entirely new bike. It should be like the Scram 411 is to the Himalayan. I am not expecting it to have any glitches as RE had almost 5 years to improve upon the INT.

Originally Posted by masterChief007

is it true that the 390 adv is remapping it's engine? didn't hear this anywhere. If that happens and they make the torque curve flatter it becomes more exciting.

Yup a new 390 platform is in works. You can see the change in the engine casing and the frame with side mounted rear mono shock here:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...90-enduro.html (Next-gen KTM 390 Adventure spied testing alongside the upcoming 390 Enduro)
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ing-india.html (Next-gen KTM 390 Duke spotted testing in India)

I also hope that they do the X-variant for the next gen also as definitely there will be significant price bump.

Originally Posted by masterChief007

Also Himalayan 450 will be releasing just now. you may try that too, coming from 250 adv it will be a total new fun.

Although I am eagerly waiting for the Himalayan 450 I will wait for it stabilize as it is the first liquid cooled high performance engine by RE. They seem to have a decent record with the 650 twins and J series engines but making a high compression ratio engine reliable is tough.

[masterChief007]

Hmm ... that's interesting. BTW Ktm Indiranagar will have adventure X on monday. One can visit and check out the colors. I think there should be some more announcement on 24th by KTM lets see what news they come up with.

[gargville]

Just saw this video which shows Adventure 390 with lower seat height (825mm).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQZ_X7UftPc

[bhansali_hardik]

Originally Posted by gargville

Just saw this video which shows Adventure 390 with lower seat height (825mm).
https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=bQZ_X7UftPc

These are real concerns while buying a bike, specially if you are buying a hefty one! The odo is turned off and we are encouraging folks by giving them views! Not sure if and when we all get ethical cautiousness ever but this is heart breaking.

The "brand new" bike will not be "new" after all and the next set of owners for such vehicle will have to suffer with all the high rev bombs and tests these so called media folks put it through!

[Renaissance Man]

Dino has had a first look. The notable visual differences are the dash and the colour scheme.

https://youtu.be/E7UqwXefQ0s