Cycle News Staff | November 5, 2019
Is this the small-displacement adventure bike we’ve all been waiting for? Today KTM pulled the cover off the youngest sibling in their adventure lineup. Introducing the KTM 390 Adventure. We received our first production version in April 2020 and posted our 2020 KTM 390 Adventure review here
Make no mistake, KTM is going to sell a lot of these. A lot.
Utilizing the same tried and true liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke 373.2 cc engine found in the 390 Duke, KTM did not specify whether or not the 390 Adventure receives any different gearing or tuning so it’s fair to guess that we can expect this plucky single to produce near 40 hp and 24 lb-ft of torque, which is plenty to get around town and play around in the dirt if the mood strikes.
Where the new 390 Adventure really shines is the addition of a fully adjustable WP APEX 43 mm upside-down fork which was originally developed for enduro riding and is the same suspension system found on the KTM 790 Adventure. In the rear, a fully adjustable WP APEX shock absorber provides 177 mm of travel and looks suitable for long-distance rides and some rough terrain.
While the suspension on the 390 Adventure is a step up over its competitors in the segment, the addition of cast wheels and a 19-inch front wheel might dampen the mood of true off road enthusiasts.
Stopping power comes courtesy of a BYBRE 4-piston radially mounted front caliper up front biting down on a 320 mm disc and a 2-piston floating rear caliper biting onto a 230 mm rear disc.
Other features that come standard on the all-new 390 Adventure are an ultralight trellis frame, die-cast, open-lattice swingarm, tubeless Continental TKC 70 tires, 5” TFT display, LED lights, Off-Road ABS, cornering ABS, traction control, ride by wire throttling, and a generous 3.8 gallon fuel tank.
At $6,199 US, the KTM 390 Adventure will be the most expensive small displacement adventure bike in the segment but are those extra dollars going to be worth it? When we throw a leg over one and really flog it for ourselves we’ll let you know.
