KTM 390 Adventure X/S: First Ride Impressions & Booking Done

I had a test ride after my office hours yesterday. After the test ride I decided to go for the booking and PDI by the end of this month.

BHPian masterChief007 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

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 !!

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