2021 KTM 390 Adventure

My Mum always told me that the best things always come in small packages. Well, in the case of the KTM390 Adventure that old adage may ring true. Austrian manufacturer KTM needs no introduction. They are well known for their success in the Dakar rally, and for their growling large capacity, heavy weight, v-twin adventure bikes. But wait, is that what an adventure bike has to be? Huge horsepower in a chassis that is too heavy to pick up? For me personally yes, I ride a KTM990 Adventure, and that bike epitomises everything that I love about motorcycling. If thats not for you then behold! The KTM390 adventure might be what you’re after…or not. It also depends, of course, on what your definition of an adventure ride might be….so read on.

The KTM390 Adventure looks the part, kinda. It’s orange, and it has adventure looking plastic bits on it. It has nice high bars, and the plastic lever guards come as stock. No engine guards though. It does have a bash plate, so it’s ready for anything a tall speed bump may throw at you on the way to work, your favourite food stall, coffee shop, or massage parlour.

The wee 390 comes with a 14.5L fuel tank. Enough for an indicated 390km range….oh scary coincidence…390…and 390…ok sorry. The steel trellis frame adds to the “ADV” look.

The headlight looks like it’s straight off the 790/890 Adventure’s, and even has a cooling duct down the middle of the twin LED’s. The KTM390 Adventure has a nice enough stance and the 790/890 lineage is obvious….but again only kinda. It comes with cast wheels as standard, 19 inch at the front, and a 17 inch at the rear. Many “ADV” purists will gasp at the notion…well to hell with them. Cast wheels mean tubeless tires, and tubeless tire mean you can plug a puncture easily and carry on. But cast rims dent and crack more easily than spoked rims. True. But all this begs the question…carry on to where? Cracked rims? On the way to Starbucks? Most likely…again it all depends on your definition of an adventure ride.

The KTM390 Adventure has a full host of electronic bits and pieces up its short lightweight sleeves. Ipad style display with all the usual bells and whistles, plus engine riding modes (on road/off road), bluetooth phone sync, music, navigation, average fuel consumption, etc, etc. On top of all that it comes with traction control, lean angle ABS, and a ride by wire throttle. It’s all there! The display is nice and bright and really easy to read. Sweet!

Getting back to the KTM390 Adventure’s afore mentioned sleeves. This little bike has an ace up one of them. It’s suspension. It comes stock with WP Apex upside down forks on the front, and at the rear a WP Apex unit as well. Those are both good things. The WP forks are rider adjustable for compression damping and rebound. They are 41mm thick just like on the 790 Adventure’s. Speed bump and Starbucks pavement parking ready and approved!

The braking is what it is. Adequate. At the front it has a 4-piston Bybre (who?!?) unit, and a single piston unit at the rear.

The KTM390 Adventure is a really fun, easy little bike to ride, especially in an urban environment. At 158kg dry weight the KTM390 feels super light and really well balanced. The 373cc motor is really smooth and can sit all day on the highway at 120kph.

Did I enjoy the 390 Adventure? Yes and No. I enjoyed the lightweight (after my 990!) and the smooth little motor. I also enjoyed the electronics package on the bike as well as the long fuel range. I did not enjoy the strange riding position. It forced my weight forward and placed my feet too high and rearward. Totally not an adventure bike riding position. The KTM390 Adventure would be well suited in an urban environment and as an everyday run about bike, and perhaps a bit of twisty fun at the weekends with your mates. But if that is your bag, you would be better off going for the KTM390 Duke instead. In fact the 390 Adventure felt like a 390 Duke with adventure plastic bits on it! Then there is the price. RM33,800 (US$8000.00) plus on road costs here in Malaysia. That is a lot of money for a small capacity bike that is mass produced in India. The 390 Duke is RM31,800 (US$7,500.00) plus on road costs. Either way it all comes down to what your definition of an adventure ride is.

Thanks to KTM Premium Kuala Lumpur and KTM Malaysia for the loan of the 390 Adventure for this photoshoot and small review.

Special thanks to Mrs H for test riding duties during the photoshoot.