KTM 390 Adventure: 2023 bikesales Learner Bike of the Year Winner

The KTM 390 Adventure is the 2023 bikesales Learner Bike of the Year, proudly presented by Youi Insurance. 

With a fun and useable LAMS-approved single-cylinder engine and a comfortable yet agile chassis, the dualsport adventure model resonated with our judges to beat four other Learner BOTY contenders. 

While previous Learner BOTY awards have been based on bench tests, the 2023 edition marked the first time the bikesales team has held a physical comparison test for the entry-level category. And with more and more people seeking to obtain a motorcycle licence, the Learner BOTY award aims to provide a valuable resource to first-time bike buyers. 

The five Learner BOTY contenders were selected from a wide pool of LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) models. Read more about buying your first motorcycle here. 

Learner BOTY eligibility requirements state that a contender must qualify under the LAMS regulatory framework, is currently available as a new model, and is on sale prior to October 2023. That means any current LAMS-approved motorcycle is eligible, regardless of when it was released. 

So what exactly is a LAMS bike? The Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme limits new riders to motorcycles that meet specific technical requirements in the name of safety.

While each state has slightly different rulings and wordings, the general criteria is that LAMS bikes must have an engine capacity of less than 660cc, and a power-to-weight ratio of less than 150 kilowatts per tonne.

The LAMS rules apply to learner riders across the country and, in some states, also probationary riders. Check with your state or territory's roads and transport authority for the specific rules that apply where you live.

Related: How do I get my motorcycle licence?

Contenders for the 2023 bikesales Learner Bike of the Year included the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 cruiser, the CFMOTO 450SR sportsbike, the Yamaha MT-07 naked bike, the Triumph Tiger Sport 660 adventure sportstourer, and the eventual winner, the KTM 390 Adventure. 

Both the CFMOTO 450SR and Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 are new models for 2023, with each offering bang-for-buck value and unique options for learner riders. The Yamaha MT-07LA is a long-standing favorite among learner riders, having been first released in 2014. The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 is the reigning champ, having debuted last year and offering punters a premium and comfortable all-round option. And the KTM 390 Adventure takes the overall win in its fourth year of existence, having debuted in 2020 as a small-capacity and lightweight adventure tourer. 

Each finalist was judged on a range of different criteria including performance, brakes and handling, build quality, safety, innovation, and the extent to which the bike is fit for purpose. But the ultimate question that judges must answer is, what would make the perfect first bike?

For the first time ever, the bikesales team tested each finalist back-to-back to find an ultimate winner. The test took place in the hills just outside Melbourne, and offered our judges some relaxed but enjoyable country roads that proved perfect for these machines. The judges also got time on the bikes in urban environments and also on the motorway out of Melbourne. 

The judging team included bikesales Editor Dylan Ruddy, bikesales journalists Ali Lawrence, Nadine Armstrong, and John Wilson, and contributor Peter Walsh who, as a recent first bike buyer, offered a unique and relevant viewpoint on the contenders. 

All five bikes were rotated through the judges and tested thoroughly, with an intensive round-table discussion following the riding component. Then it was time to vote.

While all five bikes proved to be exceptional options for learner riders, the judges chose to home in on a few key criteria when deciding the winner. Affordability and ease-of-use are huge factors for beginner riders, while comfort, practicality, and versatility also proved important for the judges. 

The Triumph Tiger Sport 660 was a deserving winner in 2022, but with a new set of judges and a physical testing component, it was never guaranteed to win again. And while it did tick a lot of boxes and impressed the judges greatly, it fell just short of the KTM when the votes were cast. 

The KTM 390 Adventure, with its versatile 373cc single-cylinder engine, comprehensive technology, and lightweight chassis, was hard to look past as an excellent value-for-money proposition. It is a bike that learner riders will find easy to ride, but still useable and engaging long after they obtain their full licence.

Checking in at $10,250 ride away, the 390 Adventure offers more tech features than the Triumph, including cornering ABS and smartphone connectivity, and is also a more versatile machine thanks to its off-road potential. When the judges asked each other what would be the best value and most practical option for learner riders, the KTM 390 Adventure was a clear favourite. And that is why it is the winner of the 2023 bikesales Bike of the Year award, proudly presented by Youi Insurance.