2020 KTM 390 Adventure Review

Wearing a Hawaiian shirt and board shorts, I laid back in my aisle seat, sipping on a Mojito, dreaming of sunshine, beaches and the all-new KTM 390 Adventure. The plane was preparing to leave Tullamarine, bound for the island paradise of Tenerife, where KTM had fittingly decided to launch its new lightweight adventure machine.

I was flicking through a book of Spanish phrases when suddenly the COVID-19 police burst into the cabin. They tracked me down, dragged me from my seat in a headlock, and gang-tackled me to the ground. The jig was up – I wasn’t going anywhere.

I’m not sure what was more disappointing; the fact I would miss out on the crystal-blue waters of Tenerife, or the fact I would have to wait several more months to ride the KTM 390 Adventure. In time, it was probably the latter.

Attention grabbing 

Since its announcement at EICMA, the KTM 390 Adventure has captured my attention. As an unashamed fan of KTM’s off-road and adventure bikes, I was somewhat doubtful that the 390 Adventure could live up to the Austrian firm’s reputation of making ‘go-anywhere’ bikes.

Made on a budget in India, with a small-capacity engine, low-travel suspension and road-bike DNA, I couldn’t see the 390 Adventure making a huge splash, but a nagging part of me suggested otherwise. Could this bike serve a specific purpose? Could it be the little bike that could?

These questions made me terribly excited to ride the KTM 390 Adventure, but instead of the warm sunshine of Tenerife, the impact of COVID-19 meant I had to make do with the cold wind and rain of Victoria’s Surf Coast. Hey, at least it still had beaches!

Related Reading:
EICMA 2019: KTM 390 Adventure
KTM 390 Adventure lands in Australia
KTM 790 Adventure vs Yamaha Tenere 700 Review

Duke it out

The decision to transform the KTM 390 Duke into a learner-friendly dual-sport machine was a logical one. KTM had the big-bore and middleweight adventure markets covered, but it needed an entry point into its hugely successful ‘Travel’ range.

Let’s not dance around the facts – the 390 Adventure is a close relative of the 390 Duke. It uses the Duke’s 373cc single-cylinder engine and wraps it in a lightweight steel trellis frame and adventure packaging. While KTM has clearly taken style cues from the 790 Adventure and the Dakar-winning 450 Rally, the Duke's fingerprints are all across the 390 Adventure. That’s not a bad thing though.

Launched back in 2013, the 390 Duke was part of KTM’s push into the road bike world. It was built in India as part of KTM’s partnership with Bajaj Auto (Bajaj has a 48% share in KTM). The relationship was a smart idea – Bajaj wanted KTM’s technical expertise, and KTM wanted high-volume and cost-effective production.

Seven years later, that same partnership has produced the KTM 390 Adventure and, like the Duke, it is lightweight, user-friendly and ultra-affordable. The key difference is the word ‘adventure’ – in KTM’s universe, ‘adventure’ carries big expectations.

Price is right

First, the price. At $8995, the 390 Adventure is one of the cheapest road-legal KTMs in Australia. In fact, only the 390 Duke ($6095) and the other sibling, the RC 390 ($5995) check with a lower price. Don’t think a low price tag equates to a sub-par bike though, because KTM has packed a lot into the 390 Adventure – it is an absolute bargain.

A colour TFT dash with Bluetooth integration, ride-by-wire throttle, lean-angle traction control, off-road ABS, WP suspension, Continental TKC 70 tyres and an incredibly versatile engine are just some of the goodies on the 390 Adventure you may not find on other bikes at this price point.

While there is obviously cost-cutting in some areas, overall the KTM 390 Adventure feels exceptionally well-built. The quality really doesn’t feel that far removed from the 390’s bigger-displacement, and higher priced, adventure siblings.

Another aspect that might surprise you about the 390 Adventure, is its size. You might expect a relatively small machine given its engine size, but this is no toy. With an 855mm seat height (25mm more than the Duke), shorter riders might have a little trouble. There is a lowering kit though, so fear not.

Related Reading:
2017 KTM 390 Duke Launch Review
2019 bikesales Bike of the Year winner: KTM 790 Adventure R
2018 EICMA: KTM 790 Adventure/R

Surprise package 

On the tarmac, the KTM 390 Adventure rides like a dream. Okay, so the 373cc single cylinder engine won’t blow your socks off, but it goes without saying that KTM didn’t design this bike for speed-hungry rev heads. The engine puts out 32kW at 9000rpm and 37Nm at 7000rpm – certainly nothing to scoff at.

The power is ultra-smooth and linear, but if you learn how to use it, the 390 will surprise you with plenty of torque when you need it. And despite its learner-friendly nature, the engine still has a typical KTM feel with a touch of aggression.

The compromise with the small-displacement engine is that it starts to struggle a little at highway speeds. It will sit on 110km/h relatively easily, but anything faster and you’ll begin to hear the motor swearing at you. But that is okay, because winding roads are the 390 Adventure's best friend.

Flickable fun

Like the Duke, the Adventure is super-agile and it flicks from side to side with ease. The upright riding position makes for a comfortable ride, but the bike's ergonomics still feel very tuned to zippy road riding. Larger riders, like myself, may find the seating position a little cramped though.

The WP Apex suspension was a little bouncy on the tarmac, but both the fork and shock are adjustable, so you have some flexibility. Other small gripes that I had were the relatively small windshield and a slightly uncomfortable seat, though both of these can be improved through the KTM Powerparts catalogue.

Electronically, the 390 Adventure is head and shoulders above many other bikes in its class. The TFT display and controls are typical KTM – functional and easy to use. The menu system has a few too many steps to focus on when you are moving, but you soon get used to it.

There is also Bluetooth integration with KTM’s My Ride app. It’s a cool addition, but you’ll need to purchase a phone mount and a Bluetooth headset for it to be of any use. One great positive is that it will show you the location of surrounding KTM dealerships.

The KTM 390 Adventure is a super-fun little road bike that will benefit beginner riders and urban commuters greatly. But there is still one big question – does it work off-road?

When the tarmac ends

KTM’s off-road history is well documented. From high-performance motocross and enduro bikes, to monolithic (and extremely capable) adventure bikes; KTM definitely knows how to do dirt well. But the truth is, many bikes in the small-capacity adventure segment are all adventure style and no off-road substance. So does the bargain-priced 390 Adventure fall into that description? Well, not exactly.

Let’s talk about the positives first. At 158kg, the 390 Adventure is incredibly light and agile, and this makes for fun experience off-road. Unlike bigger adventure bikes, you are able to manoeuvre and muscle the 390 like a dirt bike. The smooth and mellow single-cylinder engine is also well-suited to off-road use. The result is a bike that will go further than you think.

The 390 Adventure forgoes ride modes like its bigger siblings, but it still has switchable ABS and traction control. We highly recommend switching off traction control for off-road use, because it didn’t work well in the dirt. As for ABS, it can be switched off at the rear-wheel, but not the front. I never found this to be a hindrance though.

Limit your expectations

Now for the limitations. A low ground clearance and small alloy 19-inch and 17-inch rims don’t help; neither does the awkward standing position (low bars and footpegs angled forward). The TKC 70 tyres are okay, but traction was hard to find in the mud.

The biggest problem though, is the WP Apex suspension which packs a measly 170mm front and 177mm rear travel. When you consider that the KTM 790 Adventure R has 240mm travel front and rear, it’s easy to feel a touch underwhelmed.

It’s not all doom and gloom – the WP Apex gear will work fine on gravel roads and at a slower pace, and truth be told, it still probably performs better than its competition. But experienced riders will find the bike's limits pretty quickly. The fork doesn’t like big hits, ruts or potholes, and it certainly doesn’t like airtime.

In short, the more aggressively you ride the 390 Adventure off-road, the more incapable it becomes. But it’s worth noting that KTM never intended this to be a hardcore off-roader. In the official press kit, KTM describes the 390 Adventure as an ‘introductory tool for light off-roading and wider adventure touring.’

390 Adventure R?

Yes, KTM could have gone all out and built a 390 Adventure R, with long-travel suspension, spoked wheels and premium protection, but that would have resulted in a more expensive bike. Affordability and user-friendliness were the key points in the design brief for the 390 Adventure, and KTM has absolutely nailed it.

If you want to be like Chris Birch, then look elsewhere. But if you want a lightweight, easy-to-ride machine that you can commute on and do some weekend exploring, then this is the bike for you. And if you add some chunkier knobby tyres and some spoked rims from the KTM Powerparts catalogue, you’ll be surprised at where the bike can go.

The verdict

My curiosity and excitement over the KTM 390 Adventure wasn’t misguided – this is a fun, affordable and versatile machine that has the potential to introduce a whole new generation of riders to the wonderful world of adventure riding.

At just a tad under $9000, the KTM 390 Adventure is better equipped, lighter and a whole lot more capable than other bikes in this segment. It might not be for everyone, but anyone who does buy it definitely won’t be disappointed. All that said, a 390 Adventure R would be very nice. And how’s this for a crazy idea? KTM could launch it in Tenerife! What do you say, Mr Pierer?

Specs: 2020 KTM 390 Adventure

ENGINE
Type: Liquid-cooled, four-stroke single-cylinder
Capacity: 373.2cc
Bore x stroke: 89mm x 60mm
Engine management: Bosch EFI with 46mm throttle body

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 44hp (32kW) at 9000rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 37Nm at 7000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: PASC slipper

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Chromium-Molybdenum steel trellis frame, powder coated
Front suspension: WP APEX 43mm, 170mm travel
Rear suspension: WP APEX monoshock, 177mm travel
Front brakes: 320mm discs with Brembo four-piston radial caliper, ABS
Rear brake: 230mm disc with Brembo twin-piston caliper, ABS
Tyres: Continental TKC 70

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed dry weight: 158kg
Seat height: 855mm
Wheelbase: 1430mm
Fuel capacity: 14.5 litres/3.5 litres reserve

OTHER STUFF
Price: $8995 plus on-road costs
Test bike supplied by: KTM Australia
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres