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KTM has launched a new entry-level variant of the 390 Adventure. It's called the 390 Adventure X and is priced at Rs 2.8 lakh (ex-showroom).
KTM 390 Adventure X misses out on a few features compared to the standard bike. While the lower price tag makes the ADV more accessible, it doesn't get electronic aids like traction control, cornering ABS and a quick-shifter.
The bike does get a regular dual-channel ABS, an LCD instrument console in place of a Bluetooth-enabled colour TFT display and LED lights all around.
The 390 Adventure X retains the same 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine as the standard model. This engine produces 43 BHP and 37 Nm. The bike is equipped with an upside-down fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear, while braking duties are handled by 320 mm and 280 mm discs at the front and rear, respectively.
Link to Team-BHP News
Great news. Had this been available a little earlier (or had I waited 3 months more than I did) I would’ve readily picked this up over my Jan ‘23 Adventure 250!
Wow. So the Adv X undercuts the regular Adv by almost 60K which is H-U-G-E. I am so tempted to book one right now. The Adv X might just sell a lot more than the regular Adv because the features it loses are anyway not a must have for the segment it targets.
Let's look at what all feature it loses:
1. Traction Control (including Riding Modes) - AFAIK, people do not like it much especially during off-roading since it cuts off power abruptly causing the bike to stall. I don't think anyone is going to miss this too much.
2. Cornering ABS - Nice to have feature, not a must have for the Adv. It's more suitable for the regular street fighter Duke 390.
3. Quick Shifter - Same as 2.
4. Ride-by-wire - Same as 2.
5. TFT Display (including KTM My Ride, Bluetooth etc) - Now this one is something I'd like to have personally, hoping it can be retrofitted at a cost.
6. WP Apex Big-piston forks (Adv X) vs Open-cartridge forks (regular Adv) at front - Not sure how it affects the front end feel.
There were some rumors about the Adv 390 launching with a lower seat height option, I wish they launched the Adv X with that option..
I am sure these steps make the X version extremely lucrative for a budget conscious buyer. I am sure this is going to beat the sales of both 250 Adv and 390 Adv versions. Now we have to wait for April 24 (just visited KTM website and they are hinting of some sort of news in their home page !!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Funny
(Post 5530091)
Let's look at what all feature it loses:
1. Traction Control (including Riding Modes) - AFAIK, people do not like it much especially during off-roading since it cuts off power abruptly causing the bike to stall. I don't think anyone is going to miss this too much.
2. Cornering ABS - Nice to have feature, not a must have for the Adv. It's more suitable for the regular street fighter Duke 390.
3. Quick Shifter - Same as 2.
4. Ride-by-wire - Same as 2.
5. TFT Display (including KTM My Ride, Bluetooth etc) - Now this one is something I'd like to have personally, hoping it can be retrofitted at a cost.
6. WP Apex Big-piston forks (Adv X) vs Open-cartridge forks (regular Adv) at front - Not sure how it affects the front end feel. |
With respect to No.6 where are you getting your info? All the reports seem to say the suspension is exactly the same.
Personally I think the loss of the quickshifter is a big one considering the lousy shifting experience in city.
The rest of it makes it a smart bargain particularly in states such as Karnataka where taxes pack such a punch. I for one am perfectly happy without a fancy screen and just regular switchable ABS.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RT13
(Post 5530163)
With respect to No.6 where are you getting your info? All the reports seem to say the suspension is exactly the same. |
The specs are available on KTM India website now:
Link
Quote:
Originally Posted by Funny
(Post 5530178)
The specs are available on KTM India website now: Link |
I think the link talks about features of the normal 390 ADV and not this ADV X model, since the rider aid section talks about cornering ABS and quickshifter.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Funny
(Post 5530178)
The specs are available on KTM India website now: Link |
Hmmm... Well if thats the case then with a lesser fork thrown in frankly one loses considerably more than the sum of that discount IMO. Whether it actually matters to a general rider is a different story. Smart packaging by KTM as always.
This makes it a good value for money proposition just because of that engine. They anyway handle better than its competition the Himalayan and G310GS.
If the price difference between both the Adventure X and Adventure is about 60K, then IMO, one should go for the earlier Adventure variant itself. Those safety electronic aids are worth way more than the price difference. As pointed out by member "@Funny", these safety aids may not be of that much use on 'off-road' but they may be more useful while riding 'on-road' which the majority of the people would be traveling on.
From what I've seen, people spending upwards of Rs. 3L to buy a bike wouldn't mind paying Rs. 60K more for better features. Also, translating to better resale value.
That means, Adventure X 390 is more or less similar to Adventure 250 when it comes to features with the only difference being the engine capacity and bhp/nm numbers.
Does the absence of these safety electronic aids lead to more reliability in Adventure X when compared to earlier Adventure variant? And possibly, lesser maintenance costs and lesser electronic failures? If yes, then one can get tempted to go for Adventure X due to the above factors and of course price savings.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bhupesh_2628
(Post 5530252)
If the price difference between both the Adventure X and Adventure is about 60K, then IMO, one should go for the earlier Adventure variant itself. Those safety electronic aids are worth way more than the price difference. |
I agree, it’s better to wait sometime (if required), spend some more and buy the variant with all the safety features.
Most of the safety features will remain dormant most of the time, but on the one bad luck day it may make a difference in remaining rubber side up to having a crash. The extra 60 thousand will pay off many times more, prevention is better than cure.
Cheers
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bhupesh_2628
(Post 5530252)
Does the absence of these safety electronic aids lead to more reliability in Adventure X when compared to earlier Adventure variant? And possibly, lesser maintenance costs and lesser electronic failures? If yes, then one can get tempted to go for Adventure X due to the above factors and of course price savings. |
Short answer, NO. No reliability issues.
I own the first lot 390 ADV with all the features, plus got riding modes via an update.
Apart from the initial issues of the quickshifter, there have been no issues in terms of reliability.
I have seen the TC kick in often when opening the gas hard, and it has helped me continue to pull SAFELY.
So anyone wanting to buy the 390 ADV, I would suggest spend the extra buck, get a safer motorcycle.
It seems great! I can't imagine why anyone would need riding modes or traction control on a <50 bhp motorcycle. A simpler, cheaper version of a fun to ride bike is always welcome.
Quote:
Originally Posted by karanddd
(Post 5530284)
It seems great! I can't imagine why anyone would need riding modes or traction control on a <50 bhp motorcycle. A simpler, cheaper version of a fun to ride bike is always welcome. |
+1 to this. I graduated from a humble Activa 125 to a Duke 390 when I was 19. Except for the initial couple of days of familiarisation, never have I thought the bike to be overpowered or out of control. It is all about managing your right wrist, nothing else. To this date, I regularly practice panic braking with the ABS off just to be familiar with the braking without the safety net. I have taken it off road where the majority of ADV390 owners wouldn't even take it and never felt any need for traction control or other riding aids. Yes, riding aids would definitely help one in our unpredictable road conditions but are they absolutely necessary ? No. As you said, simple funda, if you need riding modes on a <50BHP motorcycle, you need to go back and learn how to ride.
I wish they release an X version of the RC 390. They'd be selling like hotcakes!!
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