[RPRIME95]

Just saw a YT short for the 2025 390 Duke. Updated with Cruise Control and a new colour.

Link -

https://youtube.com/watch?v=6-sH4gRp..._SPzzdLW0uHuuD

Question - Does this make the 390 X overpriced spec-wise? I know the category is completely different but buyers cross-shop. The Duke is just Rs.7000 more than the X.

[Sebring]

I dont think a buyer would cross shop between Duke and an ADV. Totally different segments. But, I could be wrong. Sorry, I didnt catch the new colour?

[Neo18]

Originally Posted by RPRIME95

Same here. I would happily invest money into gear instead of paying almost Rs. 96,000 for things that are good to have, not necessary. My only disappointment is Traction Control and Cruise Control. All the hardware is there already.

I did the same with the last Version of standard ADV 390. Bought mine in 2021 and added cruise control later. This was from a company called veridian cruise who figured out that the switch cube from the 790 can be modified to fit the 390, since the internal hardware is already present. Veridian has bought out a cruise control module for Himalayan 450 also. I also retrofitted the front adjustable suspension from the SW variant, when I started doing more local trails than longer highway rides.. The audience of X variants for this edition of the 390 will also end up doing the same, just a matter of time and genuine need.

[RPRIME95]

Originally Posted by Sebring

I dont think a buyer would cross shop between Duke and an ADV. Totally different segments. But, I could be wrong. Sorry, I didnt catch the new colour?

Maybe I am the only one. The colour seems to be a Grey-Black combo although it is not fully shown in the short

[neil.jericho]

Originally Posted by RPRIME95

Question - Does this make the 390 X overpriced spec-wise? I know the category is completely different but buyers cross-shop. The Duke is just Rs.7000 more than the X.

RPRIME95, beyond the spec sheet, for potential buyers in a KTM showroom there are so many other factors that come into play which will make them consider both motorcycles and finally select one. I can see taller riders and / or frequent tourers swing for the Adventure 390 X, solely for the comfort factor and potential all day rideability. I can see Sunday morning riders and / or the occasional track riders, choose the Duke 390, instead. I firmly believe that even if the Duke was Rs 7,000 cheaper than the Adventure 390 X, the rapidly evolving and maturing Indian enthusiast, will still buy what suits him / her the best.

[shyamg28]

A few more observations post a ride with MudMasterAdventures.
Note - I did not ride the motorcycle but saw first hand what it can do in capable hands.

The Gen3 Duke 390 mirrors that our bike came with in 2024 are different from the current lot.
The new ones are definitely better shaped for wider visibility.

On the 2025 Adv 390.


On the 2024 Gen3 Duke 390.


This panel below the Rider's seat will get scuffed...like crazy.
I feel as though this bike will be tough to keep looking new. There didn't seem to be any real sheen anywhere. Personal preferences for this I'm sure.


The black panel is from the Gen 1 Adv 390, that makes more sense.


I only noticed after it was mentioned on the MotorInc First episode - the entire pillion footpeg assembly can be removed effortlessly.


A small panel at the front right behind the top of the screen, which can be removed without tools, allowing phone mounts to be screwed in.




The simple screen mode. Looks lovely!
I also believe each ride mode can be configured to have its own display mode but I'm not entirely sure of this.


The regular mode.


Luggage mounting using Rok straps.
The grab rails not being closed maybe a minor miss here. Although that luggage remained unmoved despite many jumps

[masterChief007]

I had a test ride after my office hours yesterday. Please take my observations with pinch of salt, because my cast iron is "alive" all the time and has "personality" and all other non-sense, however I still love my cast-iron so it is going to share space with my new 390 X/S. My observations below:

1. Mechanically the bike was awesome, and as they call it ready to race !! Didn't have any issues with "low-end torque" as I was in heavy BLR traffic. But even in the older one if you don't lug the engine these torque issues are non-issues. I always ride with the right gear on so I didn't have much issues in the earlier version too (except in deep waters). But this one is way better in low end.

2. while lugging the vibrations on the head panel was almost gone (I remember the past Advs head rattle on lugging the engine as terrible). Constant buzz on the footpeg is there in city crawling speeds but us not a deal breaker. Much more better handling than the Himalyan 450 due to lighter weight and thus more confidence inspiring. I have enough weight on myself to create highway stability so don't need help in that regards from my motorcycle

3. wind-shield restricts vision, so if there is an adjustable kind then it will be good for city riding. However for highway this is much better than the H450 as since its high enough to restrict vision, then it's high enough for the wind-stream to go above helmet.

4. saddling is better ergonomically in H450 stock (I could change gears standing there without any learning of tricks), I am sure handlebar risers in the 390 will solve that niggle too.

5. Quickshifter is butter smooth, used it 3-4 times only as even the clutch is effortless and shifting I felt was precise.

After the test ride I decided to go for the booking and PDI by the end of this month. The new salary credit will help me here . Had a chat with sales guy and he informed that the saddle-stay etc will have to get after market as there is no plans as of now from KTM. Also the side-stand sensor they don't have any bypass fix currently when I asked if I can bypass this on my first service.

Now the rant: I really hate the side-stand sensor cut-off feature in any of these modern bikes. I have seen first hand in my spiti ride that a guy was having trouble with this sensor malfunctioning and engine getting cut off. I really don't understand this baby-sitting. I always check my side stand before i start my ride and as should anyone else, then why is these things done to baby sit the rider? Next will come a rev-limiter when the clutch is fully pressed !! And the reason of rant: now this bypass needs to be done under the fuel tank, so god forbit if the bike starts developing "personality" you will have to open the tank to bypass !!

[PatienceWins]

Now the rant: I really hate the side-stand sensor cut-off feature in any of these modern bikes. I have seen first hand in my spiti ride that a guy was having trouble with this sensor malfunctioning and engine getting cut off. I really don't understand this baby-sitting. I always check my side stand before i start my ride and as should anyone else, then why is these things done to baby sit the rider? Next will come a rev-limiter when the clutch is fully pressed !! And the reason of rant: now this bypass needs to be done under the fuel tank, so god forbit if the bike starts developing "personality" you will have to open the tank to bypass !!

Side stand sensor malfunctioning happened on a newly delivered bike, in youtube video. The guy had a tough time getting the bike to the service centre the next day as the bike kept on switching off. The service centre folks took an entire day to rectify it as the bike is new and they were not well versed with it. Such nice to have features should be reliable or not provided at all.

[TheHelix0202]

As a previous-gen Adventure 390 owner, here are my observations on the new X:

Pros:
• Noticeably lighter and beautifully flickable
• Well-balanced rider’s triangle – I’m 6’2”, and it felt just right.
• Plastic quality has improved significantly at most touchpoints.
• More linear power delivery compared to the Duke – makes for a tamer, more touring-friendly experience, though I personally found it a bit dull.

Cons:
• Vibrations are quite prominent! The footpegs and handlebar buzzed constantly. I could only take it up to ~6K RPM during my test ride, so I couldn’t fully push the bike, but it was already noticeable. The test ride bike also lacked handlebar weights, which didn’t help.
• Some noticeable cost-cutting measures that stand out in certain areas.


A Few Interesting Quirks About the 390 Adventure:

• The rear plastic panel above the taillight isn’t fully opaque - it allows the red light to shine through, creating a prism-like effect.
• The rearview mirrors are slightly different in shape compared to the Duke’s and come with an anti-glare function.
• KTM hasn’t advertised this, but the bike features auto-cancelling turn indicators, similar to older Pulsars.
• The low beam is always ON by default, using the topmost projector, while the high beam is the same bulb - making it a bi-LED setup. The function of the bottom light remains unclear, possibly a parking lamp or DRL.
• The X’s base ECU map is the same as the S’s Street mode. However, the S’s Off-road mode delivers a more aggressive power response, making it the quicker mode. Best part? The ECU retains your last selected mode even after the ignition is turned OFF.
• A Royal Enfield key can be used to open the under-seat storage.
• The front end looks more imposing and sits taller than the previous-gen Adventure 390.

[scarn]

Motorinc has dropped a 2 hour review of Adventure S and covered everything extensively.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RQ4T2FdwrI

[rssah77]

Hey team, I am planning to buy newly launched KTM adventure 390 X. I test rode and for now I don't need spoke wheels or suspension adjustability. But I want that chip which gives all the rider aids including cruise control.

Also, I do mostly touring and city driving, I don't want spoke wheels because alloy wheels provide much plushness.

I saw early reviews and came to understand 390X is good allrounder. So, what to do? Any suggestions?

PS: Because in future, some other manufacturer comes with great value motorcycle with all these bells and whisltes (rider aids) and I don't want to feel bad.

[scarn]

Originally Posted by rssah77

Hey team, I am planning to buy newly launched KTM adventure 390 X. I test rode and for now I don't need spoke wheels or suspension adjustability. But I want that chip which gives all the rider aids including cruise control.

Also, I do mostly touring and city driving, I don't want spoke wheels because alloy wheels provide much plushness.

I saw early reviews and came to understand 390X is good allrounder. So, what to do? Any suggestions?

PS: Because in future, some other manufacturer comes with great value motorcycle with all these bells and whisltes (rider aids) and I don't want to feel bad.

I think you mean the ECU from Adventure S. But I don't believe it would be a straight up plug and play.
Also, spokes are more plush than alloys as they are less stiff and provides more flex.
Buy 390 X if that fulfils your requirements and you have an immediate requirement for a bike. If you want the electronics and that is a deal breaker then only way to get them right now is Standard 390. Buy based on your requirements not based on specs.

[AulusGabinius]

Originally Posted by rssah77

Hey team, I am planning to buy newly launched KTM adventure 390 X. I test rode and for now I don't need spoke wheels or suspension adjustability. But I want that chip which gives all the rider aids including cruise control.

Also, I do mostly touring and city driving, I don't want spoke wheels because alloy wheels provide much plushness.

I saw early reviews and came to understand 390X is good allrounder. So, what to do? Any suggestions?

PS: Because in future, some other manufacturer comes with great value motorcycle with all these bells and whistles (rider aids) and I don't want to feel bad.

If you want some safety aids, consider the Triumph Scrambler 400 x, which will do practically everything the Adventure X will do. The two bikes are much closer than you think in spec and for use in the city, and the Scrambler may just be the better commuter. If your touring is less than 300 km per day, then the Scrambler will do it. The largest difference between the two is the Scrambler's engine style, but multiple cheap mods that members here have done will solve everything or mitigate it to a great extent.

[rssah77]

Originally Posted by scarn

I think you mean the ECU from Adventure S. But I don't believe it would be a straight up plug and play.
Also, spokes are more plush than alloys as they are less stiff and provides more flex.
Buy 390 X if that fulfils your requirements and you have an immediate requirement for a bike. If you want the electronics and that is a deal breaker then only way to get them right now is Standard 390. Buy based on your requirements not based on specs.

I say my requirement (not based on specs) -> I NEED light weight motorcycle which is effortless to drive in city traffic and has enough top end without being stressful and when the roads get dangerous I need rider aid especially traction control as it's obviously a powerful engine. I said in future reference I don't want to feel bad because it's is requirement for me. CC is just a plus.

Also I disagree on what you said -> spokes are more plush than alloys as they are less stiff and provides more flex. It's the opposite. Spoke wheels when on heavy impacts will not bend as they are more flexible and are great for offroad. But on highspeed plain roads, alloy wheels are more rigid and offer more feedback there by making them plush (in terms of feel).

[rssah77]

Originally Posted by AulusGabinius

If you want some safety aids, consider the Triumph Scrambler 400 x, which will do practically everything the Adventure X will do. The two bikes are much closer than you think in spec and for use in the city, and the Scrambler may just be the better commuter. If your touring is less than 300 km per day, then the Scrambler will do it. The largest difference between the two is the Scrambler's engine style, but multiple cheap mods that members here have done will solve everything or mitigate it to a great extent.

I actually have ridden it. It feels top heavy.