KTM 390 Adventure 2020 Review - Prices, Specs, Variants, Features and Mileage

How robust is the engine in KTM 390 Adventure?

How well does the explosive performance and mileage balance out in this KTM?

390 Duke Adventure shares its powerplant with the highly successful Duke 390 but has a slightly different tune to it. The engine is now BS6 compliant and so is shaved off by a marginal decrease in power figures.

It is now tuned to offer a punchy low-end torque and thus help you scale terrains easily. The character of this bombastic engine has not changed much and still gives you that wide grin on reaching its redline.

Mileage figures are expected to be similar to that of KTM 390 Duke. This one would have a bit less due to the low-end torque and added kerb weight. So, expect around 26-27 kmpl whereas the 390 Duke gets 28.5 kmpl(ARAI). 

Fuel tank capacity has been increased to 14.5 litres to give you that extra range to reach atop that peak. If we look at the bigger picture here, KTM has managed to pull the balance off very well as its competition is not far ahead in terms of mileage figures. Both the competitors are gravely underpowered and that gives this orange trail setter an edge.

How linear is the acceleration in KTM 390 Adventure; ktm 390 adventure 0-60?

Acceleration is going to be much more linear than its naked brother. This is due to the retuned ECU, to provide more low-end grunt. But don’t get too comfortable on the saddle as deep down, it is still an orange KTM and will surely surprise you.

The high compression engine will surely help it rev quicker and thus provide you with a seamless riding experience. Top speed will be less at 158 kmph due to added kerb weight and taller riding stance. The lower gears will be short for better urban mobility but the higher ones will be tall to facilitate smooth highway rideability.

The competition is nowhere close to this orange monster and that gives the 390 Adventure a character unique to itself. BMW G 310 GS is the only one that comes close to the new boy in town and this KTM is surely going to create a commotion like all other KTMs, duh!

How bitey are the brakes on KTM 390 Adventure?

It gets the same braking setup from 390 Duke but has a list of added tech features that makes it behave much differently from its naked brother. The brakes, for now, are slotted and provide exceptional levels of bite. It instils confidence and can help you get hold of this jumpy one in extreme situations.

A dual-channel ABS unit from Bosch makes sure of you not kissing the ground while going off the records. The braking might be a bit too harsh for newbies who are not accustomed to KTM’s hyperactive braking. That coupled with the long travel suspension will surely get you shaken, if not careful.

Royal Enfield, the cheapest off-roader in this lot also comes with a dual-channel ABS but that's about it in the Himalayan. The off-roading tech list for 390 Adventure starts from the dual-channel unit! BMW G 310 GS also has a list of features but not as much as the KTM.

How different is the handling and comfort as compared to other KTMs?

390 Adventure is light and nimble and makes for a very fun riding experience. The nimble nature is due to the lightweight trellis frame along with quick-acting WP sourced suspension setup. The front setup is non-adjustable but the rear gets preload adjustment.

Comfort is commendable and the ride gets a wider and comfortable seat that can sustain you for a longer travel time. You sit tall and upright on the 390 Adventure and will never feel the fatigue. Front windshield helps dissipate a lot of windblast as well. You can tweak the rear mono-shock and make it soft or hard.

Kerb weight and performance is in a ratio which is never before seen in an adventure motorcycle. This helps it perform like a street-bred machine and handle like a pure off-roading one. Seat height is on the higher side but it won’t be an issue for shorter riders due to lower ground clearance that compensates for it. But the 390 Adventure is a big machine for sure.

How bright does this KTM look?

KTM 390 Adventure is minimal and flaunts its exposed components in orange. This is common in all naked KTMs and thus is followed up in the adventure offering as well. The trellis frame stands exposed and you see a very similar engine inside it.

The LED headlight setup is unique and has a vertical cowl splitting it into two. The windshield is a very useful addition and also helps you attach a smart device above the instrument cluster without getting disrupted.

Aesthetic Features

• Split headlamp setup

• Wind visor

• Bash plate

• Pannier holder

• Alloy wheels

• Standard tail tidy

KTM offers the 390 Adventure with alloy wheels and that might sprout a seed of doubt in your mind, but be rest assured that these alloys will support your off-roading expedition. KTM will be offering spoke wheels as a power part and so will cater to those doubtful ones as well. 

What are the safety and class-leading features in the new 390 Adventure?

This is where the orange entity outshines the rest. Safety features are loaded to the brim here with starting with the dual-channel ABS unit. Cornering ABS,  something which is heard of only in middle-weight offerings and above is available in the 390 Adventure. Supermoto mode allows you to disengage the rear ABS unit so that you can have a fair share of fun off-roads. The traction control unit works in conjunction with the ABS unit and thus helps you stay stable on the messiest of roads.

There are heavy electronics that support this adventure tourer. The colour TFT display is the window and contact point of anything electronic. You can add a quick-shifter that works both ways in the 390 Adventure along with an array of ride-assist features. KTM’s strong point is a vast number of top-notch features that none of its competitors get.

The list of features is enough to change your outlook towards the KTM 390 Adventure from “overpriced” to “extremely underrated”. The number of features on offer is no match for its competition but BMW manages to come in its radar!

How does the competition stack up against the new KTM?

KTM 390 Adventure vs Royal Enfield Himalayan

Royal Enfield offers us a cheap alternative to satisfy our thirst for adventure. It was our only ray of hope when Hero ditched its Impulse. But now it's back, that's a different story altogether. But KTM is back at it again, surprising us again and again. KTM 390 Adventure is a very underrated offering and with an introductory price tag of Rs. 2.99 lakhs, it surely is going to blow the competition off.

KTM 390 Adventure vs BMW G 310 GS

BMW launched the 310 GS as an adventure tourer. But that didn’t fare out so well as the pricing was not so “entry-level” and the fact that TVS uses the same engine in its RR310 is also a bummer as it cost Rs.1 lakh more. Now KTM is making the situation even more stressful as it is offering much more power and tech features for Rs. 50,000 less. BMW has not even updated its offerings to BS6! Just saying.

How will the 2020 KTM 390 Adventure change motorcycling in India?

KTM is planning for an all-out invasion with the new 390 Adventure and we are sure that it will be a big one. With the amount of features on offer for such an eye-popping price, KTM has got all the equations right for the Indian market. It is an all-out adventure tourer that doesn’t hesitate to get its shoes dirty. It will be a very good learner motorcycle and thus will help a lot of newbies get onto adventure riding with ease and flexibility.