Test rode the new KTM 390 Adventure: What I feel it gets right

The rider triangle appears to be super comfortable for motorcyclists of various heights.

BHPian neil.jericho recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

I spent some time poking and prodding the new KTM 390 Adventure (S, though the website doesnt call it that) and 390 Adventure X. Test rides have begun at the Banarghetta Road showroom. A few thoughts on the motorcycles

• The rider triangle appears to be super comfortable for motorcyclists of various heights. I really enjoy riding the current generation KTM Duke 390 but there is no getting around the fact that it isnt a motorcycle which has been designed for taller riders. The ergonomics of this new Adventure 390 S / X seem to be suited for all day riding.

• The clutch felt a little harder than that on my 2024 Duke 390. I tried the clutch on 3 different motorcycles and my first impression remained consistent.

• The high beam and low beam reside in the upper headlight.

• The seat is long (unlike the one on the Duke 390) but Im not so sure that its going to be comfortable for touring. I cant explain it. That said, the minuscule size of the pillion seat is an atrocious design statement. I can see a lot of couples that tour together, head straight to the Royal Enfield showroom to book the Himalayan 450, only on account of the awful pillion seat.

• Who in their right mind thought that those Galactus inspired rear grab rails deserved to go on this bike?

• Those hand guards make the lever adjustment on the Adventure 390 (S, not X) a veritable punishment. Thankfully, the X variant doesnt get adjustable hand guards! Sometimes, simpler is better.

• With my large hands, adjusting the front suspension of the Adventure 390 S from above was really difficult. Its easier to place your palms under the handlebar and then play with the suspension. That said, one of the adjusters looked like it had been perma-glued into place. It took all my strength to get it to move by one click.

• The rear suspension of the Adventure 390 S doesnt seem to be adjustable for preload (unlike the Duke 390). The X version doesnt appear to have any adjustability at the rear.

• The radiator has those angled plastic shrouds which should keep tiny stones and other miscellaneous missiles away from the hidden fins.

• The weight balance when you hold the motorcycle off its center stand is pretty impressive. It doesnt feel like a 182 kg motorcycle.

• The 390 Adventure X lets you choose the option of a simpler display layout which I couldnt spot in the settings of the 390 Adventure S.

• The side stand has a unique bend to it. This keeps the bike fairly upright, even when it is on the side stand.

• The OEM protection should come in handy if (when?) you drop the motorcycle.

• The 390 Adventure S has a seat height of 830 mm and the more touring oriented 390 Adventure X has a seat height of 825 mm. The latter is so much more usable with the comparatively and tangibly lower seat height.

• The overall quality seems to be a notch below that of the Duke 390. Some of the plastic gaps are inconsistent and bring down the perception of premium-ness.

My first impressions of the Adv 390 S and X, having not ridden either of them, is that KTM seem to have got a lot of things right with this major product refresh but things like the ridiculous rear seat and quality of plastics should not be a talking point in 2025.

The ex-showroom price of the 390 Adventure X is Rs 2,91,074 and that of the 390 Adventure S is Rs 3,67,634. The on-road price of the 390 Adventure X is Rs 3,86,996 and that of the 390 Adventure S is Rs 4,80,884.

While I am huge proponent of having adjustable suspension on my motorcycles, if I had to recommend the KTM Adventure 390 (S or X) to a regular India motorcycling enthusiast, especially one who is in his formative years, I would strongly suggest that they look at the 390 Adventure X. For someone who is going to use the Adventure 390 platform for commuting, occasional weekend breakfast ride and the once in 6 months road trip with friends, the X variant seems like a phenomenal VFM choice. Is it easy to justify the Rs 93,888 (24.2% !!!!) difference for someone who is upgrading to the 400 cc segment while also being value conscious? Probably not. For experienced riders who are looking at a second motorcycle, right(not down)-grading from their superbikes etc, the 390 Adventure S makes a lot of sense.

If I won the lottery tomorrow and decided to get myself an Adventure 390, I would probably pick the 390 Adventure X in that tasty Electronic Orange paint scheme.

The KTM 390 Adventure (S)

The KTM 390 Adventure X

A KTM motorcycle cant have enough orange panels on it

Mean looking headlight unit

With the DRLs on

With the low beam on

Functional looking indicators

Angled plastic guards should keep those fins safe

OEM protection

From another angle

Non adjustable levers on the X version

So unlike the seat on the Duke 390!

Slim and long ....

Galactus inspiration gone wrong!

The simpler display option on the X version

The regular layout

Is that the phone charger slot?

U-G-L-Y panel gaps

Non adjustable suspension on the X version

Adjustable suspension on the regular Adventure (S)

Wonder if these footpegs are a direct fit on the Duke 390. Hmmm ....

The alloy wheel on the X version

Non adjustable suspension at the front of the X version

Familiar switchgear is borrowed from the Duke 390

Slim looking rear light surrounded by awfully large grab handles

Unusually designed side stand

Familiar mirrors are borrowed from the Duke 390

Those panel gaps could be smaller

The tubeless spoke wheel of the regular Adventure (S)

Wouldn't mind having one in my garage

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