2023 KTM 390 Adventure 5000 mile review

[@CalgaryGuy71]

Pick my new 2023 up tomorrow from the dealer. I appreciate your video's. I have pretty much noted all the quirks of the bike so I don't get too frustrated with it. Can't wait to pick it up and take it on it's first ride!

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

Congrats 🎉 ride the wheels off, it’s a really fun bike specially when you get it dialed in 🤗🤗

[@tommyNix4098]

I have this motorcyle. Agreed, this bike is not great on rough trails, but on dirt/gravel county roads this bike is 100% pure fun. I have had no problems shifting to neutral.

[@detch5307]

Now that was a good review...along with some good humor. You have provided some good points to think about. Thank you.

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

thank you for the kind words :)

[@seanrivera6459]

Excellent review! Thanks!

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

thank you , safe riding friend :)

[@dalmaciomorales2798]

I bought this bike last month and took it to the trails and had a blast. One thing everyone complain and it just happened to mine is the chain. The bike has less than 300 miles and the chain is already stretched out more than a stripper on a pole.

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

my stock chain is still holding up after several thousands of miles , but i think i'll replace it at the beginning of next riding season out of caution. It is definantley not a high quality unit.

[@jdtanker11]

Enjoy the vids. I have the 2022 390 adv and I love it. I'm down in Eugene area so come on down and visit! 😄

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

I'll be riding through John Day probably Tuesday heading to Timber Gulch/Jordan Valley you're welcome to ride along. IM me if you're interested ,we'll probably be coming back Saturday.

[@jdtanker11]

@@thebelligerentmechanic8916 Dang, that would be a good ride. I'm working all week

[@sdvid]

Thank you, I enjoyed this review. I am torn between this bike (the 2023 model) and the BMW 310 GS. It's really hard to know which bike I will like best since I cannot test ride a new KTM. The dealerships will not start the KTM until it has been registered to the new owner, so I am relying heavily on reviews of current 2023 owners. I love reviews where people explain how the bikes feel in certain situations (on road/off road, etc.) while they are actually riding the bike. That helps to visualize their experience at the time it is happening. Unfortunately, most of these videos are from people just test riding the bike, or who just bought it without many miles on it. I like your review because you aren't walking around the bike showing what it looks like and explaining features that I can learn about from the KTM website or talking to the dealer. It's good to hear an opinion from someone who has actually put a good number of miles on it. Much appreciated, this is another +1 for the KTM. 😊

[@americandude3825]

Should consider the Kawasaki. Versys 650 2015 or newer. Orrrrr a Suzuki drz-400

[@sdvid]

@@americandude3825 Thanks for the suggestion. I went ahead with the KTM. I have only put a few hundred miles on it, but so far am extremely happy with the decision I made. 😁👍

[@americandude3825]

@@sdvid I think I’m a bit big for the Kim 390. I’m 6’ 1” 240 pounds. But they are nice. My dream bike is the 2019 or newer Kawasaki versys 1000. But the Suzuki drz400 super moto seems like a super fun get around bike.

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

My apologies i just saw your comment. I'm happy the KTM has suited your needs. There are so many great bikes in this size range it is very hard to make a decision. I'm still very happy with mine.

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

the versus 1000 is an amazing bike mostly of you intend to do primarily road riding. I owned the DRZ 400 SM and it was alot of fun for short trips " very small fuel tank and a seat that left my ass on fire :) . safe riding and Best of luck with your choice :)

[@erkutgurun]

I have a video suggestion for you. Can you do a brake test for the 390ADV since I couldn't find any. There are 1-2 for the 390 Duke but they're in Hindu. You can try braking at 40/60/80km/h with abs on and off perhaps?

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

excellent idea 👍

[@benevolentprime3214]

Is it better than a CB500 for a first bike?

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

@@benevolentprime3214 really just depends on the surface you intend to ride on, cb500 great for pavement, 390 adventure great for off and on road surface, where do you intend to go?

[@leeinwis]

@@thebelligerentmechanic8916 It's alot lighter.

[@19Ander86]

Very good review. I recently also bought this bike. April of this year. Model of year 2022. I have the same issues with finding neutral, but I figure out the same way as you. 😊 What bothers me a bit? Vibrations in 5k - 6k range. I like this bike too. I already passed 4500km. Grating from the Czech Republic. I wish you a lot of happiness with her.

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

My 2023 model also suffers the 5-6k vibration mostly in the foot pegs. the fuelX does reduce it but it never completely goes away. Ride safe friend.

[@19Ander86]

@@thebelligerentmechanic8916 Thanks for respond. I saw your video about the installation Fuel X, but I'm a little worried about the warranty. There are some issues with the unit all over KZbin. If there is a possibility of exchange, then fine. In my country there is no dealership. I can purchase it over ebay. In case of exchange it will be complicated. I think about it a lot.

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

@@19Ander86 The manufacturer has an eBay store that’s where I bought mine, they were very responsive and I had no issues with them, they sent me a replacement immediately and I’ve had no issues with the new unit. If you get one do not buy from a third party that’s where warranties become a problem. Safe riding friend 👍

[@19Ander86]

@@thebelligerentmechanic8916 Looks like thet their ebay shop is currently out of order. Purchasing directly from him via e-shop is possible, but the price of the product is incredibly high. Delivery is more expensive than the product itself. 164 USD for shipping only. 🤔 I hope that ebay will be operational as soon as possible. I want this product a lot. 😀 You're right. Buying anywhere else can be a problem with warranty. Somewhere it is directly written. Thanks for your tips 💡. Appreciate that 👍

[@SheepGoat390]

grip puppies help big time. i switched to motul oil that helps with neutral alot on both 390s i have owned

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

Thanks for the tip 🙏 I’ll try it on my next oil change 👍

[@erkutgurun]

Loved your review. It's nice to hear the things many reviewers don't even touch upon. I bout my 390 brand new, and now it's at 300 miles only. My only complaint would be that I'm feeling terrible vibration especially above 5000rpm. Yes it's a single cylinder but still trying to have it at it's most comfortable level. I don't do any offroading by the way. I have bought the stock comfort seat which has eradicated the vibration on the seat, re-installed the plastic on the footpegs, which will hopefull do the same. And for the hands, a softer grip perhaps? Anything else I can do? Will this vibration diminish a little as bike gets old? I bought it brand new and now it's at 500 kilometers. After what milage roughly will I start feeling a little more comfort in terms of vibration? Thanks. Subscribed.

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

there will always be a slight amount of vibrations , here are the most effective things i did to deal with it. FuelX will smooth the motor quite a bit and really improves power delivery. Handle bar risers now almost zero vibes in the bars. Check all bolts and fasteners with special attention to engine mount hard ware " mine had several loose bolts and clamps. Leave the rubber inserts in the pegs " this is where i feel vibration the most" . I still use the stock seat, its comfortable for me and i have almost zero vibes through it. It is a single cylinder engine so you'll never get all the vibes out it just depends on what you can live with. Also the vibes on mine were most prevalent at the 5-5500 rpm range changing your gear ratio will move 5500 rpm to a different speed maybe above or below your preferred cruising speed. Otherwise the bike is a joy to ride. Ride safe friend.

[@erkutgurun]

@@thebelligerentmechanic8916 Thank you so much. Here in Turkey we can't obtain the FuelX unfortunately. And for rising the handlebars, getting the raisers is simple, but finding a longer clutch cable that has to accomodate that, might be harder. Plus, if I'm not going to do any offroading, or standing up, I don't think I really need the bar raisers. The original KTM comfort seat does make quite a difference, not so much in comfort unfortunately, but in dampening the buzzing. I'll be going into the 1000km service soon so I'll have them check to make sure all nuts & bolts are nice and secure. I'll keep a keen eye to stay out of the 5-5500rpm range. Thank you & ride safe bro.

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

the royal Enfield Himalayan clutch cable is a direct fit if you do the bar risers @@erkutgurun

[@erkutgurun]

@@thebelligerentmechanic8916 Thanks. We barely have any Royal Enfields in Turkey, let alone their spare parts. And we have a customs problem when ordering from abroad. But thanks. I don't think I'll need to stand up too often.

[@CCitis]

Love the comparison and reasoning for this bike, Cheers.

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

thank you :)

[@andymotovlogs546]

In India the bike is available at around 30% cheaper cost. Yet when I come across people calling it an expensive motorcycle I have a smile on my face and I want to say to them- man you don't know what that thing is, haha.

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

I would only consider it expensive when compared to some other bikes that are by engine displacement only considered in the same category.👍

[@raptch]

Waste of my time

[@thebelligerentmechanic8916]

Do you own this bike or looking at one ? was there something in particular you were watching the video for? If so maybe i can offer more info. Safe riding friend.

[@mwjd58]

I used the chapters to FF to what I wanted to hear. NP