2020 KTM 390 Adventure | Small capacity, Big fun!

[@human1513]

"Sounds like an angry hair drier." 🤣 Good one. Never heard that one before.👍

[@Englishbikerdan]

Nice little review, I just took the one I have off road and I actually enjoyed it!

[@mancavemoto]

EnglishBikerDan Cheers Dan, it’s capable enough off road for my abilities. Looking forward to seeing your take on it

[@alexdesamsonow822]

The great little bike! I’ve put 3000 miles on mine so far!

[@mancavemoto]

Good to hear!

[@gjertaredavidsen342]

Great review :-) Got my 390 adventure 3 weeks ago and my license 4 weeks ago :-) Perfect bike with alot of fun!

[@kiwiandyt123]

Great review of a cracking little bike! I’m seriously considering one of these for my commute and fun ride - looks like it will be perfect for NZ’s gravel roads.

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks Andrew, it would make for a brilliant commuter and let you explore off the tarmac too

[@Klera133]

Very sympathic presentation :-) I ordered the KTM 390 Adventure 2 days ago

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, enjoy the bike!

[@Shining_Whit]

Nice review Tony! Smaller capacity Bikes are overlooked far too often. I have been riding a 97 CB500 for the last 18 months and am totally smitten! Ample power for most riding, comfortable and when ridden spiritedly never gone below 54 mpg. Most of the time it's 65+ with a 200+ mile tank range! The new CB500X interests me a lot.

[@mancavemoto]

I agree and I may have been a little guilty of that in the past. Having recently ridden the exotic 208hp £27k MV Augusta Brutale, I can honestly say for me this bike was more fun. You feel like you can really ride the pants off of it and still keep within the speed limits. I’ve seen some adventure upgrades on the CB500X and they look fantastic. I’ll see if I can get a ride on one

[@guzz1jon]

An excellent review. I am selling my Tiger 800xc as it is too tall and top heavy for me these days (I'm 67), and I have never taken it down so much as a gravel drive. It's between the 390 and the Himalayan now, but I don't think Enfields come close to the KTM spec and build quality. So thank you; this has been a great help.

[@mancavemoto]

No problem, glad you found it helpful. It might even be worth having a look at the 790? It’ll be more manageable than the Tiger

[@guzz1jon]

@@mancavemoto You've got me thinking about it!

[@antoniocliffuk]

Love the review, picking mine up tomorrow (Friday) ideal to explore the islands of the Philippines..

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, Have fun!

[@wakajawaka44]

Thank you for uploading this very informative video. I am thinking of returning to motorcycling in what are my twilight years. I am attracted to the Suzuki SV 650 with its low seat height and very reliable engine but it weighs 195kg. The KTM 390 comes in at 160kg, looks great and so much lighter and more manageable, but I fear the unreliability issues. I live in SW France and the summer temperatures here often exceed 30 degrees. I don't think I could live with that noisy cooling fan, and also reports of moisture getting into that expensive TFT are worrying. In your comments you did mention KTM are slowly loosing there unreliable reputation. I wish I could be more confident with your forecast Tony and take the plunge with the KTM. However the Suzuki SV 650 really has stood the test of time. Thanks again and good luck with your new format!

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, yes there is no denying the SV650 is tried tested and pretty bullet proof. This single motor has been around for a while and seems to be pretty good in terms of reliability, I understand they have also taken care of the condensation issue with the tft screen now. But the Suzuki (although a bit of a different bike) is a reliable machine.

[@st.christophorus]

i rode the duke as a weekend bike in indonesia which is 30-35 celsius all year round and so far havent had any problems ! my only complain is probably the gearing for the sixth gear could be a little bit taller since i prefer to ride in the lower rpm for cruising, the vibrations got annoying from 7K rpm onwards

[@wakajawaka44]

william Thank you for your comments william. Nice to read feedback from riders who have spent some time on there machines, not just a couple of hours!

[@mancavemoto]

I spent two weeks on the bike

[@petervoros840]

Great review with lots of useful and interesting information and well presented. I am considering this bike 1. Because I am 6’3” and 2. Being 68 I need a lighter weight bike to man handle around the garage. Job done I think. Thanks.

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks Peter, it’s a fun yet still very capable machine! Enjoy!

[@Davidlouis3]

You’ll love it mate it’s brilliant, I’ve had one for 4 weeks and it’s great fun I’m 6ft 2. I’ve got a gsx 1250 fa, but the ktm is amazing 👍

[@hiltonmcconnell2563]

For 2 up touring for the price of the KTM 390 Adventure just get 2 and each have your own bike, they are less than 1/2 the price of some of the bigger bikes, and it will also make more room to carry your camping gear.

[@mancavemoto]

A good point, but only if your pillion rides.....

[@monzadh]

great review, just got mine this week here in the States, you are 100% correct. great value and loads of fun. Also have the same Shoei, great minds think alike!

[@mancavemoto]

Ha! Thanks Monday, it would appear so!

[@1990-t1j]

Nice bike, but I prefer the Duke 390. Having toured solo extensively around Europe on an XT500, one of these would be a doddle. The usual slick, well-presented review.

[@mancavemoto]

The 390 Duke is a stonking bike, sooo much fun. Thanks for your kind words as well, much appreciated

[@mbracho08]

Excellent video, if someone wish to change the WS to the one from the 790 ADV , make sure u order the X support form the 790 as well. This X support will fit into the 390 ADV. Cheers

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks for the tip!

[@AussieAdventurer]

Do you happen to have a link for that x thingy??

[@mylifeinthailand8751]

I think it will be fine for two up touring especially where I live in Thailand. You can get a metal bash plate plate, you can also get an Ergo seat for passenger and rider

[@mancavemoto]

Yep, it ll depends on the people, two of me definitely wouldn't work! lol

[@williamrae9954]

Given it's more powerful than a DR-Z400, OK weighs a bit more due to Euro5 and EU regulations(ABS), I don't call these bikes "wee" ...I'd happily take that for the 25.000ml trek up through the Americas, albeit a few changes, like wire spoked wheels and a 1 piece seat(usual sumpguard, Cycra handguards, etc). More than capable!

[@larrytucker1945]

Thank you for your review! I trying to decide between the KTM and the Honda 500x. I don’t have any dealers within 100 miles so I haven’t gotten a chance to sit on either. I’m also intrigued by the news of a Norden version of the KTM and also the prospects of the KTM 490. I’m currently using a DRZ 400 SM for commuting and would like a more comfortable road machine without limiting my dirt road excursions.

[@mancavemoto]

Glad I could help!

[@flythenride]

Great video! I own a 2021 Honda CB 500 X and I’m seriously thinking of purchasing a 2023 KTM 390 adventure to replace it as it is much lighter. I would appreciate any feedback concerning the two motorcycles that you may have to offer? Cheers and thank you for sharing your thoughts.

[@17red14]

I'm a new rider and this is my first bike. I agree that the seat is not very comfortable. After 60-90 minutes I need to get off. Also, I'm 5'9" and I find the wind screen too low even when in the highest position. Man Cave is right on all points.

[@ANU-nl1tc]

Well-made material. Important and useful information contained in the video.

[@mancavemoto]

Thank you

[@davidroberts7490]

Really good review ! I have been enoying riding a crf 250 Rally for the past two years and I am really enjoying the experience of smaller lighter bikes now that I am 66 years old. I am now looking at the 390 Adventure for my next bike. I am curious about its motorway ability. My CRF 250 with a 2tooth smaller rear sprocket will sit at 70 mph on the motorway fairly easily. I thought the 390 might reach a little bit more. What do you think ?

[@mancavemoto]

Hi David, Thanks for your kind words, i'm glad you liked it. The KTM is happy on motorway runs and will sit a 70mph all day long at about 5000 revs, it'll buzz aong at 80 too with no real effort. Given that it has almost twice the power (HP & torque), almost twice the fuel capacity and is only 10kg heavier its a good alternative. When things really get rough then the lighter weight and greater ground clearance will see the Honda shine. I guess its going to be about how you ride it more than anything?

[@davidroberts7490]

@@mancavemoto Thanks for the reply ! 70 at only 5000 revs already sounds good to me 👍😊

[@rodrigosimoes185]

It has lots of electronics for the range.....

[@basedpatriotLT]

do you have experience with 310 GS bmw or kawaski versys 300 ? If so, any comparison?

[@mancavemoto]

Sadly not at this point no

[@windridermaui]

Great thourough review, thanks for sharing :)

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks for watching!

[@jonathanmellish4439]

I have to say I never considered this because of its small capacity, but your review title caught my eye ie Fun. I liked your 500x review because this was my first choice, but now I am not so sure.

[@mancavemoto]

It is a great little bike, very light with a punchy engine. If you have an opportunity to get a test ride, then give it a go. I wasn’t sure about the capacity either, but I have to say the bike really surprised me.

[@grumpysprout3505]

Hi can I ask is it a small bike? It looks small? How does it stand say next to Honda cb500x, ie small,same, bigger?

[@mancavemoto]

Roughly the same as a CB500X, the lower screen makes the KTM look smaller, but they are a similar profile. The KTM is much lighter

[@rohitrajan6832]

No eagerness to overtake another vehicle, that is nice to see. It's not the case here in India.

[@mancavemoto]

Only when its necessary.....I've never experienced it, but I've seen plenty of videos which would suggest its pretty chaotic on the roads in India!

[@rohitrajan6832]

@@mancavemoto even the ones who claim to follow traffic rules overtake n number of times and many times from thr wrong side..

[@NooBiker]

Cool review as usual. Not something I'd considered, but if I ever get round to getting a bike for doing a bit of green-laning, I think I'll give this a try. What sort of range do you think someone would get out of a full tank, and what sort of long-distance reliability and ease of maintenance would someone get on an "adventure"? I ask because for me an "adventure" (rather than just a bit of touring) is about really going off the beaten track. I'm thinking "Itchy Boots" style stuff. How would this stack up for that sort of trip versus the Himalayan, or a CRF250, for example?

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks. You would have no problem getting at least a couple of hundred miles out of a tank of fuel. It should be reliable, those motors have got a good reputation. I love Noraly, I’ve been following her trips since day one. I think it would a great bike for that sort of touring. It’s going to be more ‘long legged’ than the CRF250

[@NooBiker]

@@mancavemoto thanks!!!

[@SavioureG]

If I ever wanted to get a dual sport it would be a KTM 790 adventure R, though my issue is the display, really don't like the tablet look, bring back the one from the 2017 model and I'm sold (or would be sold if I had the money lol)

[@mancavemoto]

Funny you should say that.... I’ve grown to like the tft display, it is a bit square, but I’ve found it to be really clear and easy to read

[@brucekendall52]

My own experience if you ride dirt like we do in S Africa and you are 6" and above you will need bar risers for standing up.Suspension needs a little work for sure.Otherwise fun entry level bike.Thks.JHB -SA.

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, yes I found that even at 5ft 10in

[@robertdenton7897]

Mm food for thought, how’s it compare to a Royal Enfield interceptor ?

[@mancavemoto]

A very different bike....

[@mancavemoto]

Other than the price

[@jkpinpdx]

I’m considering the 2021 KTM 390 Adventure vs the NEW updated 2021 BMW G310 GS. I sold my 2017 BNW R1300 GS Adventure last year, just deciding from the two. Will doing a true 50/50 purpose and commuting about 60 miles on nicer days. Local/regional adventuring and camping. Your thoughts on the two bikes appreciated. 🙏🏽

[@mancavemoto]

Both have been well received, I havent had a chance to ride the BMW yet as I don't have a friendly local dealer. But I do think the 390 adventure is very very good

[@hiltonmcconnell2563]

I was looking at bough but after many videos and much reading, went with the KTM 390 Adventure, better off road, goes farther on a tank of gas, has more power, and traction control you can turn on or off and 2 modes for ABS. adjustable front and rear suspension. As well I like the praying mantis look. I am also upgrading the bash plate and hand guards to better KTM ones. Am 5'9" and can flat foot on the KTM and find sitting on it, it feels very light and easy to move around. Bough are very good bikes but the KTM won me over for what you get for the money and from the videos I have seen it is much better suited for off road, much more than I am planning to do but if needed it is there. There are lots of videos on these bikes, I looked at road use and off road videos and was surprised what the KTM 390 Adventure will go through and over.

[@gavinjones7178]

@@hiltonmcconnell2563 Hi, The KTM wins in my opinion. I have the BMW g310gs and had several problems in the 18 month ownership (defective battery, defective horn and now a collant leak), so much so I have test ridden and now awaiting my newly purchased KTM 390 Adv, better suspension, more power, better electronic`s and far better off road. The BMW is comfortable at 50 - 60mph but very buzzy after that, the suspension is far to soft and bottoms out easily when off roading. Another point is the customer service from BMW, it has taken them 6 weeks to do the repair!

[@hiltonmcconnell2563]

@@gavinjones7178 I had the BMW K 750 and had more parts replaced on it than all my other bike put together, got rid of it before the warranty went off.

[@funguseater40]

I went to a local KTM dealer to have a look at the 390. I was impressed with the build quality and the price. The only thing I didn't like was the footpegs are angled forward for some reason, not level. Which is fine if you don't want to stand up on the bike. I guess there is a solution to this out there though. Great review 👍

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks, I didn’t spot that myself. Standing was hampered more by the low bars for me, which meant I had to lean forward too much

[@brucekendall52]

@@mancavemoto Bar risers are a must.

[@chrissorreda4982]

I think its because of the fact that the position of the pegs relative to your butt makes it so that your knees are folded a little passed 90 degrees. Can’t imagine what its like when standing up tho

[@anshuman_kashyap]

Good review..thnx mate!

[@mancavemoto]

No problem

[@bobz1736]

With a 21" front wheel it would make a great dual sport bike. Same weight as my CRF 250L but with almost twice the power...

[@gpnmoab1]

I have the 390 Adventure and own and have ridden dirt bikes my whole life, like 45 years. I see no need for a 21" front tire and I take this off road in the mountains of Colorado on some are very loose, rocky and steep trails. I've taken it places where really only a dirt bike should be and it did very well. You just have to keep the speeds down. But seriously it is great off road and does better than you need for what this is designed for. You just have to have the dirt riding skills to do it. I do agree the seat is its downfall for long rides. I have to take a break every hour or so and I find I need to stand up for a minute or two every 30 minutes while riding the highways. But the bike amazes me. If you plan on driving off road on narrow twisty trails, this is so much better than a large Adventure bike where you spend so much effort keeping them upright on the narrow and rough trails. The handling is fantastic. It is very nimble and at first that might seem a little unnerving but after you ride the bike for sometime and get to know its handling characteristics, you'll appreciate just how stable and suited it is for on and off road.

[@williamrae9954]

21/18" wheels are just a myth...I've been places on a Suzuki XF650 that DR650 riders wouldn't go, end of the day,from the spindle, it's only 1" of a difference(going by your logic we'd all be on 23" XR500 Honda wheels?).

[@DavidKD2050]

Is it to different to the Honda 450L to compare?

[@mancavemoto]

Yes quite different, the Honda is a proper dual sport bike and will be much more capable off -road. The KTm has a little more power and is a better road bike in my opinion. If you want to travel with some occasional gravel the 390 is a good choice. If you spend the majority of time off-road and link it up with some tarmac, or you want to ride more challenging terrain then the Honda will be a better choice.

[@debbieclegg2485]

😎👍

[@romanfilippov9686]

The First one ) thanks for interesting review

[@mancavemoto]

yay! and thanks Roman, much appreciated

[@nikhil.j0]

angry hairdryer 😂

[@mancavemoto]

It was the first description that came into my head!

[@Tom-eo7nr]

I am 6’’4 and I really like this bike, do u think it’s tall enough for me?

[@mancavemoto]

perhaps, it feels like a full size bike....

[@AussieAdventurer]

Not that I am an expert, but from all the reviews I watched they reckon that someone of your height would feel cramped at the knees. Personally i would recommend the 790 adventure for yourself. A bit bigger all round and the R version is quite a bit higher and for you more comfortable. I am only 5’ 10 and the 390 is perfect for me. Just saying....

[@mancavemoto]

Whats your inside leg measurement? The 390 adventure is taller than the 790, not by much though only 5mm.

[@Tom-eo7nr]

@@AussieAdventurer luckily a motorcycle dealer near me has a KTM 690 sm second hand with only 400 miles for £5000 so I’m thinking of getting this, the seat height is around 870 I think this would suit me perfectly

[@Tom-eo7nr]

@@mancavemoto I’m not sure exactly but I have some long ass legs

[@claretbuck1882]

Nice bike cheers

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks