KTM Adventure 390 Full Review

Off-road bikes have always been a hallmark of KTM's reputation. KTM's ability to create motorcycles that can cause a stir while other motorcycles kick up some dirt is demonstrated by their numerous victories and championships in the most difficult rally events in the world (have you heard of Toby Price and the Dakar?). Hence, something was wrong with KTM's inherent sense of "Adventure" when they introduced the Duke, a street motorcycle, and later the RC, a full-fledged track beast, to the Nepali market. Years later, KTM's 390 Adventure has been here in Nepal for a while now, filling that void. Is it, however, worth the hype? Is it everything we've been waiting for and hoping for? To properly test this machine, we took this beast to the tracks of Kurintar.

The age-old, crucial question What does it look like? It appears good, in our opinion. Good, but a little edgy. Even though we think it might not be everyone's idea of a "good-looking motorcycle," most people could probably get over the front fascia's insect-like appearance. It reminds us of the classic KTM design concept: make them appear as though they want to eat you alive and spit you out. It appears that way, too. The size—or how it presents its size—is another factor in this. It appears large—really large. And that too without the use of numerous fairings, plastic, pixie dust, and other accessories. Its essence is exposed, revealing the "Adventure" that lies within. We thought the exhaust design and the execution of the bash plate and engine guard were excellent. All things considered, while not everyone may find it attractive, this motorcycle undoubtedly has a purposeful appearance. It's also one of the rare motorcycles that you can grow to love. 

Performance

The 390 is remarkably well-behaved, smooth, and docile at city speeds. It also lacks the jerky, rev-hunting, angry pitbull-on-a-leash behavior. Its longer chassis and less aggressive steering geometry also prevent it from having the jittery, unsteady steering that a Duke would have on uneven terrain.

With the exception of the wide handlebar, this is an excellent bike for commuting, featuring a light clutch, smooth throttle response, and no unpleasant engine heat. It's not boring either, because as soon as you pass 6,000 rpm, there's a fun power surge. Although the engine can get quite warm, even in severe traffic jams, the temperature is kept well under control thanks to the twin radiator fan setup, which also ensures that you never have to deal with uncomfortable hot spots.

Riding this bike is still a lot of fun, whether it is on open roads or off-road. In addition to being steady and fostering confidence, being quick and easy to maneuver. Regardless of the riding conditions or the terrain, the 373cc mill's powerful nature never lets you down. The 390 is an excellent vehicle for both city and highway riding because of its responsive engine and ample power output.

The motorcycle handled every type of terrain with ease, including rough and smooth roads, straights and sweeping turns, and different elevations. With 200mm of ground clearance and 170mm and 177mm of front and rear suspension travel, respectively, the bike is capable, but it doesn't feel very easy or natural. The bike bounces more than it absorbs because the handlebar is too low, the foot pegs are angled forward, and the suspension is firm. With enhanced suspension and ergonomics, this bike has the potential to be extremely enjoyable. 

Design

The 390 boasts an adjustable WP suspension, a cast swingarm, and a bolt-on trellis subframe, just like the rest of the family. The standard equipment includes a 5" TFT dashboard, LED lighting, a slipper clutch, adjustable and lean-angle dependent traction control and ABS, and ride-by-wire. The dash menu's layout feels familiar from other KTM adventure bikes, and the tapered aluminum handlebars' buttons have the same appearance as those on the larger models.

The 390 Adventure appears and feels fairly substantial in terms of size. The distance between the two wheels is 1,430 mm, making it 73 mm longer than the 390 Duke. Remarkably, the 390 Duke's seat is located 830mm above the floor, which is only 25mm lower than that of its adventure sibling. Towards the fuel tank, the seat narrows, making it marginally easier to plant your feet. Positively, the 390 Adventure is a very touring-friendly bike thanks to its tall and wide handlebar, neutrally positioned footpegs, and upright riding position. That being said, people who enjoy traveling will greatly value the extra 1-liter of fuel that its tank can now accommodate. It should increase the 390 Adventure's range by roughly 25 to 30 kilometers, increasing the range to about 350-400 kilometers.

Conclusion and Verdict

The KTM 390 Adventure is a very enjoyable motorcycle. Revving the nuts on this tiny mono-cylinder is entertaining and quite simple to ride. In addition to being a fantastic adventure bike, I believe it makes a perfect city bike because it is tall, has a straight riding position, and is incredibly agile. The 390 comes pre-configured with an unprecedented level of equipment for this price range, and the options list includes more than just flashy extras that elevate this bike to a new level.