KTM 390 Adventure is one of the most versatile middleweight adventure motorcycles available in India. Bridging KTM’s street and off-road models, this urban explorer packs the punchy 373cc engine from the 390 Duke into a rugged adventure-ready chassis.
Priced from Rs 3.39 Lakhs onwards, this review covers how the 390 Adventure fares across metrics like performance, equipment, real-world usage, ownership costs, reliability concerns and alternatives to consider before signing the dotted line.
KTM 390 Adventure Variants
The 390 Adventure is available in two variants:
Standard
Priced at Rs 3.39 Lakhs, this base version equips cast alloy wheels – 19 inch front and 17 inch rear wrapped in road-biased street pattern tires. Gets traction control, cornering ABS, an LED headlight and a full color TFT console. Perfect blend balancing tarmac agility and light trails ability without going hardcore off-road.
Spoke Wheels
Adding Rs 20,000 over the standard model, this variant replaces alloys for more rugged wire-spoke wheels – 21 inch front and 18 inch rear – kitted with dual-purpose block pattern tires. Enhances rugged appeal and bad-road ability at a small premium.
Irrespective of version chosen, the 373cc single-cylinder engine and hardware like USDs, quickshifter, smartphone connectivity remain consistent focusing on performance.
Colors Available
KTM offers the 390 Adventure in two shades: Dark Galvano Silver: Flashy paint-job in silver/black contrasts the rugged rally styling pleasing young taste buds wanting to stand out.
Dark Galvano Black: Sophisticated all-black treatment merges with the dark chassis. Matte surfaces limit attention without compromising on adventure vibes – best colorway for restrained buyers.
Engine & Performance
At the heart of the 390 Adventure sits KTM’s revered 373cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC 4-valve engine packing a punchy 44 hp peak power and 37 Nm max torque. Performance stays linear all through the rev range till the 10,000 rpm redline but the meaty mid-range offers most riding fun.
The counterbalancer shaft has the single cylinder thumping characteristically without bothersome vibes. Power gets managed by a precise 6-speed gearbox working quickshifter for clutchless shifts adding to the performance package. Top speed hovers around 160 km/hr but acceleration is where it impresses hitting 100 km/hr from standstill under 7 seconds.
Mileage & Range
Thanks to its light 177 kg weight and advanced ride-by-wire management, KTM claims a highway fuel economy figure of 23-27 kms/liter which seems achievable during steady open road cruising not pushing beyond 100 km/hr speeds. Expect closer to 22-24 kms/liter in congested cities with intermittent traffic needs.
Combined with the 14.5 liter tank capacity, it returns a highway range of ~325-350 kms allowing hours on the saddle between refuel stops. City range drops down to ~275-300 kms needing more frequent top-ups which is understandable given the peppy performance bias suiting its adventure positioning.
Ergonomics & Comfort
The KTM 390 Adventure offers a comfortable upright riding stance – neither too sporty nor cruised back. Handlebar and seat height balance enables spending hours riding while standup ability aids off-road maneuvers. Large duck-billed handlebars provide plenty of leverage muscling it through trails.
Seating comfort for both rider and pillion seems reasonable. The long flat seat avoids sinking riders into corners enabling moving around to reduce fatigue. Pre-load adjustable monoshocks soak up bumps sufficiently. Overall ergonomics target long distance rideability expected from ADV tourers.
However heating issues have been reported in bumper to bumper traffic conditions with the exposed engine sitting between the rider’s legs transferring excess warmth. Not noticeable when riding spiritedly but bothersome during summers and daily commute duties. Aftermarket heat shields can help here.
Equipment & Features
Traction control and lean-sensitive ABS boost safety during enthusiastic corner carving or slippery off-road conditions preventing loss of control. The instrument console switches between Street / Off-road modes altering the safety nannies’ interventions to suit terrain.
Sharp LED headlights with DRLs improve night visibility considerably over puny stock beams while LED blinkers and compact taillight retain the sharp styling. The color TFT display also doubles up as a Bluetooth enabled console showing call/message alerts when paired to an Android/iOS smartphone.
Knuckle guards, engine bash plate and ribbed seat texture reinforce rugged appeal backing genuine trail worthiness claims unlike some Adventure styled bikes focusing solely on road usage. Overall features kit seems purposeful without going overboard on electronic aids availability in heavier ADVs.
Ownership Experience
Analyzing 200+ owner reviews and vlogs documenting real-world usage, here’s an ownership snapshot of the 390 Adventure:
Engine Performance – Power delivery praised for city and highway riding. Low/mid torque aids drivability in traffic without continually downshifting. Smooth clutch/quickshifter operation adds to experience.
Comfort & Ergonomics – Comfortable for 6’ tall riders even on long highway stints. Pillion comfort slightly compromised but manageable. Seat cushioning provides adequate support. Heat buildup bothersome in slow traffic.
Fuel Efficiency & Range – Most owners report around 22-25 kms/liter in everyday usage aligning with KTM’s claims after run-in period. Enough for 250-300 km tank range keeping fuel stops infrequent.
Off-road Ability – 19/17 inch wheels strike usable balance between trails and regular tarmac. Capable on broken roads, loose surfaces aided by traction control safety net giving confidence. Hardcore off-roaders may want more suspension travel.
Sales & Aftersales Experience – Waiting period extends up to 2 months for some colors. Test ride experience satisfaction varies between dealers. Service costs found slightly higher than Japanese brands. Labor charges around Rs. 700-800 for regular service.
Reliability & Issues – No widespread mechanical issues or costly failures reported indicating reliable operation. Few cases of stalling at low RPMs, stuck clutch levers observed. Overall longevity seems decent.
Competitor Comparison
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
RE’s newest adventurer packs added power and features over the trusted Himalayan 410 but demands a premium:
| Specs | RE Himalayan 450 | KTM 390 Adventure |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 411cc, 30hp | 373cc, 44hp |
| Weight | 189kg | 177kg |
| Price | Rs. 2.15 Lakhs | Rs. 3.39 Lakhs |
Verdict: The KTM justifies its 65k higher price tag with significantly more performance, similar off-road ability dressed in a sharp trellis frame but lacks the Enfield’s Jesus bolt reliability.
BMW G 310 GS
German over engineering shines through but at a steeper price:
| Specs | BMW G 310 GS | KTM 390 Adventure |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 313cc, 34hp | 373cc, 44hp |
| Features | All LED lights, smartphone integration | Similar equipment |
| Price | Rs. 3.85 Lakhs | Rs. 3.39 Lakhs |
Verdict: The Beemer oozes premium appeal and impeccable quality but the KTM strikes a better value balance without cutting back on performance.
Hero Xpulse 200
Budget friendly option for hardcore off-road enthusiasts:
| Specs | Hero Xpulse 200 | KTM 390 Adventure |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 200cc, 18hp | 373cc, 44hp |
| Off-road Ability | Optimized for trails | Reasonably capable |
| Price | Rs. 1.21 Lakhs | Rs. 3.39 Lakhs |
Verdict: The Hero focuses solely on dominating trails at a fraction of the KTM’s prices. But the KTM brings far more powerful engine and ability to comfortably cruise highways post adventures!
Ownership Cost Analysis
Thanks to localized production, maintenance costs are quite reasonable – on par with Japanese brands:
| Service Interval | Cost Estimate | Parts Required |
|---|---|---|
| 500 – 750 km | Rs. 750 (Labor & oils) | Engine Oil & Filter |
| 5000 km | Rs. 1600 (Labor & parts) | Engine oil, Oil Filter, Spark Plug, Chain lubrication |
| 10000 km | Rs. 1450 onwards | Same as 5000 km service |
- Normal wear items like chain, sprockets, tyres last around 15,000 – 20,000 km before needing replacement inflating costs.
Additional Maintenance Tips
- Brake fluid, coolant and engine oil recommended to be changed every 2 years irrespective of mileage.
- Spoke wheel version’s rims need tensioning checked more frequently – important before heading off-road.
Insurance & Warranty
- Bike costs around Rs. 4500 to insure for 1 year with comprehensive coverage.
- Comes with a standard 2 Year manufacturer warranty, extendable up to 4-5 years.
Our Verdict
The KTM 390 Adventure makes for one of the most versatile middleweight adventure bikes comfortable tackling everyday city commute besides weekend escapes off the beaten path without burning a hole in the pocket. Accessible ergonomics, punchy engine performance and generous features elevate its experience beyond barebones offerings.
Niggles like engine heating issues and soft suspension for extreme off-roading hinder the experience but seem par for the course given its price point. For riding enthusiasts seeking a mid-capacity adventure tourer balancing off-road flair with on-road comfort, the 390 Adventure warrants closer consideration before signing hefty cheques towards more premium alternatives!
FAQs
What is the fuel tank capacity?
The KTM 390 Adventure is equipped with a 14.5 litre fuel tank which should deliver a range of around 325-350 km on highways and 250-300 km in cities based on the mileage. This reduces the frequency of fuel stops.
What are the key standout features of KTM 390 Adventure?
Key highlights include a color TFT console with Bluetooth connectivity to show call/SMS alerts when paired to a phone. It also gets traction control and cornering ABS to aid stable dynamics besides carrying dual purpose tires, bash plate and knuckle guards reinforcing genuine adventure capabilities.
Is KTM 390 Adventure suitable for long rides?
Yes, the comfortable upright ergonomics with reasonable seat cushioning coupled with relaxed cruising abilities of the 373cc engine make the 390 Adventure suitable for long highway rides. Wind protection could be better but is manageable up to speeds of 100 km/hr for hours on the highway.
Does 390 Adventure face any heating issues?
The exposed engine position between the rider’s leg does transfer some warmth in bumper to bumper traffic. But heat levels remain manageable when the bike is ridden above 40 km/hr speeds or aggressively. Aftermarket heat guards can help for daily commute usage.
