KTM 390 Adventure - 5 Things You Need to Know

The KTM 390 Adventure may seem an odd choice to put up against a 660, a 937, and a 1,250, but once you look at all it offers for a significantly lower price, our choice might make more sense. We just got a chance to put a lot more miles on it during our recent Adventure Touring Shootout, where we traveled to South Dakota, home of the famous Sturgis Bike Rally. While the region is known for the Rally, there's more to check out in South Dakota.
Book your adventure at:
www.travelsout...
Until then, find out what we love (and don't love) about the KTM 390 Adventure in this quick overview.
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[@tsdmoto]

KTM 390 Adventure was the reboot to my riding career. Loved its versatility, the very alive chassis, and rev happy thumper.

[@TheSparkratos]

Upgraded from Himalayan to the KTM 390ADV. Best decision. It has brought back fun in my ride.

[@connor25]

I got a mate thinking of doing the same, what height are you?

[@TheSparkratos]

@@connor25 5'10"

[@sdefiel3719]

Yep, I owned both the RE and the KTM. I gave the RE to my son. I kept the KTM. The RE is great, but the KTM is better. S

[@beaunaro]

You missed it bud. Himalayan new model. Simplicity that’ll get you home.

[@TheSparkratos]

@@beaunaro Absolutely not mate!! All the RE's are too old for my riding style 🤷 So sure that I've sold my old GT650 just recently. I highly doubt RE will ever win me back, given the exciting line ups all the other manufacturers have.

[@ThinkAboutIt-fg3gh]

If you want to adventure ride without the weight, which weight should be your primary concern, this is the bike. Price, displacement, power range and off road capability, this bike is one of a few to fill in all the needs of going across country wo the fear of what to do if you drop it.

[@Frip36]

Thanks. This is precisely what I've been looking for then. Had to look at dual sports for light weight, but not too big on dirt bike looks.

[@packfan1946]

I bought this model ADV bike this past spring and am very pleased and impressed with it.

[@bobroberts4085]

I road mine 1/3 of the way across the northern US. Very good bike.

[@BreezyRider66]

Triumph Scrambler 400, the new Himalayan 450, the cf moto 450MT (coming late 2024 to UK) and the KTM 390ADV are my shortlist for next bike. I'm 57 & done with big heavy bikes now, it's great that manufacturers are giving us some good smaller bikes...

[@fernandoherasvarela5349]

I have tried the Himalayan and the Scrambler , do not hesitate, the KTM is in a different league, by far. I am 58, by the way :)

[@houseofroos]

Excellent review Evans! I own this bike and I think you nailed all the high points.

[@Lemmingadventures]

It's 2 bikes in 1. Take it on twistys or on reasonable dirt roads and it excels at both.

[@hillquestdualsport]

Got one. Love it. I do not miss my previous big ADV bike.

[@Funky420Infotainment]

Im planning on getting one,... Cant wait

[@abymathew295]

I heard KTM is also developing a hardcore Rally version of 390 Adv..😍

[@schoolchown]

I am also planning to get one when I go back to my country ❤

[@cossiedrifter]

I bought a 2023 Adventure SW last summer. It's awesome! We don't get the engine guards in Sweden, but we do get LED turn signals. Mine had Bluetooth with navigation but I have to pay extra to active the quick shifter.

[@fernandoherasvarela5349]

I ride it in Indonesia where the weight, power and size is perfect for the roads here, Fantastic set up for a smaller bike

[@neonsamurai1348]

My biggest criticisms of this motorcycle are that the pegs are position badly and tilted forward, which is awkward for off-road standing, that it uses tubed tires and does not include or offer a center stand, the handle bars are too low, the IMU is an older 3 axis, and seat sucks. KTM also has the new version in testing, possibly coming next year which is a full redesign and with the new engine from the 2024 duke 390.

[@otlndsh]

Amazing bike. Loving mine since 2020

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

I can't find anything to fault with your assessment of this motorbike. It's on my short list for purchase early next year, but I'm waiting to see how Triumph prices the Scrambler 400 X first. The 390 Adventure is clearly more off-road capable than the Triumph, but it costs nearly ten grand out the door. If Triumph is aggressive on pricing, and they encourage their dealers to stop all this "additional dealer markup" nonsense, they'll likely get my business, and a raft of other buyers as well.

[@bseidem5112]

KTM needs to put some real resources into reliability. Show us why we should get one of these bikes. Today we believe we'll have a good time on the bike, and then it breaks; what we hear over and over: it breaks.

[@MrKdr500]

i own a 790, 890 dukes, 890ADV-r & 1290 superduke and my 790 duke is a daily rider to work with over 90,000km's zero problems.....KTM's are high performance race ready bikes & people need to remember that with proper servicing.

[@hair2050]

I agree. I would love to own this bike but there are way too many horror stories out there of not only reliability but more importantly to me and my situation, (bike is my only transport right now) the NON availability of parts. And I live, (in Australia) one hundred miles from the closest dealership. If Ktm would come and pick up my non functioning bike and give me a loaner unit they return it to my home working properly again, I’d buy one tomorrow. They will not so I will keep riding my VStrom.

[@bseidem5112]

Yup and the last I heard the electronic goodies are not warrantied.@@hair2050

[@afmo500]

I had a new KTM RC390 in 2015, had to be picked up by the dealer van 4 times before 10k KMs.

[@hair2050]

@@afmo500 my worst fear 😨. The closest dealer is 100 miles away. Nightmare stuff.

[@stepneye1165]

I have Mich Road 6s on mine and it rips round corners like a supermoto. Eats larger bikes for breakfast around town.

[@SBMotoZ]

Build quality not up to Spec with Japanese machines, but the rowdy engine always puts a smile on my face

[@houseofroos]

Tell that to the thousands of Indians who ride the living snot out of these bikes !

[@MrKdr500]

Japanese bikes this size are mostly made in Thailand and the KTM is just as good.

[@wparro6009]

​@@MrKdr500not even close to Japanese for reliability

[@pranavom]

Use a Adventure 390X and completely love it!

[@martinmackye9865]

Love my 390!!

[@saadstrips6573]

Thank you for the video. But you need to compare the KTM to the BMW G 310 GS

[@fernandoherasvarela5349]

My favourite bike is the GS 1250 but the 310 was the biggest mistake BMW did. For sometime I was hoping they release a better version in 400 cc but ended up buying the 390 Adv, I love it

[@whiterabit09]

Coming from an R6, i love my KTM, it feels grunty and has plenty or pull.... I can lean it in the corners on tarmac and on dirty feels stable and responsive.

[@JOEBOWERY]

neat ! Thanks !

[@sbsb4995]

Fantastic machine

[@dpajc056]

They should’ve given call info and turn by turn already in the price. CF Moto for example doesn’t hold back on its buyers something software related like this.

[@ageless1003]

Chop in fuelx for a much smoother lower RPM's.

[@ScottRottenFPV]

Love this bike.

[@davidpalin1790]

Nice bike, however, looks expensive compared to the himalayan

[@michaelrogers897]

I am so confused why everyone is always so concerned with power, motorcycles are such light vehichles. A lot of people in a lot of countries get by just find with less than 250cc

[@vantastic_dreamer]

I just listed my KTM for sale here in Vegas. Now I just watched this video now I’m thinking about keeping it! I have a 2020 is that a good year on the KTM 390?

[@cruze86]

Does it have spoke wheels and adjustable suspension? If not then sell it and buy the SW variant. 👍🏻

[@ageless1003]

​@@cruze86SW variant has tube tires and with no center stand, it's a trouble to mend punctures

[@ScottRottenFPV]

A vanner with a 390A? Lol me 2.

[@vantastic_dreamer]

@@cruze86 mag wheels but adjustable suspension. Thoughts?

[@vantastic_dreamer]

@@ScottRottenFPV that’s funny!

[@user-dd9cv8ub2o]

Edit ta sai hoycha 😍

[@thudtheace]

This is going to be my next bike. I like lighter bikes after riding a number of behemoths for a number of years. Cheers!

[@user-cn9fn6fe3g]

Great review but you never mentioned anything about top end (for highway riding) or how many gears it has.

[@RYwoodview]

6 gears. It will cruise at 75 easily, top speed slightly over 100 mph.

[@alaatmeh9446]

Hi everybody Is KTM 390 adventure which made in india a durable motorcycle?

[@fernandoherasvarela5349]

3 years on it, not a problem

[@Isha048]

I noticed that it had spoke wheels, but I only found alloy wheels on the catalogue. Can you buy it aftermarket, perhaps? Thanks for the video, really interesting.

[@xrgmer339]

There is a special 390 adventure SW (Spoked Wheels) version.

[@millerw2378]

I have my eyes on one 2020 model

[@johna6968]

Small adventure bikes are where Im at.

[@davidlenz7817]

I want one! I there’s 2022 with 6k miles for sale by me

[@SmokinZen]

So how do you fix the pegs problem?

[@RYwoodview]

Aftermarket.

[@jonomasonILoveU]

Seriously considering trading in my 22 Duke390 on the 24 390Adv, I love kTm😁.

[@SuperImbadude]

No use, waste of money

[@jonomasonILoveU]

Yeah maybe I should just get the new Duke890@@SuperImbadude

[@theshadowswithin9896]

Does anybody short ride one of these? Contemplating getting one for my wife, at 5'2" tall.

[@stevenphoon999]

Not sure this helps or not, I am 5 ft 7 and riding on 2015 duke 390 only. Flat footed for me though.

[@martyn_g]

The reality is that this bike is a Duke 390 GT. I owned one;)

[@ageless1003]

Those halogen turn signals. 😢

[@JohnNewton-ev8ch]

The Quickshift+ is garbage...don't waste your money.

[@fernandoherasvarela5349]

Mine is smooth as silk but I heard some friends making the same commentary

[@HunterVlog350cc]

all three bikes cannot tackle great indian himalauas as easily as a himalayan 411 itself

[@user-bg1tj6ii6u]

Well you know his your bias when you lisening him talking

[@LoanMe-lq6qr]

Little ktm 😂 mean while in india .... Kya bhayanker power hae !!! 😂😂😂😂

[@r.hagenau3541]

Underdimensioned cooling and clutch for serious offroad work. And ALL the non-essential electronics should be optional. Too much to potentially leave you stranded because of a 50 cent part. The good thing is its comparably low weight.

[@i_observe9846]

the coolint is plenty powerful, get your head out of your ass.

[@markku2857]

It is NOT an off road bike, it is an adventure bike!

[@fernandoherasvarela5349]

You need a 6 Days 🙂

[@rickrobinson8417]

They went to spoked wheels??? That's a bummer imo

[@pigpen65]

Why? Better for offroad. If you are doing mostly tarmac get a Duke. Cheaper and has the cast wheels

[@rickrobinson8417]

@@pigpen65 If I want something better for off road then I'd get a dual sport not an adventure bike.

[@HunterVlog350cc]

the himalayan is a formidable simple machine that outsells this in india

[@kevinjones7732]

KTM’s are too bike but build quality is poor. I’m sure once you have e been through some water things will start to rust, especially bolts and fasteners.

[@moto_vana]

My Yamaha has corroded more than the KTM in the same time period- while the KTM is the one that sees more dirt, water and salt (winters) now.

[@kevinjones7732]

@@moto_vana my 390 hasn’t handled a British winter well at all, despite being hosed down when it rains and washed every weekend.

[@moto_vana]

@@kevinjones7732 I normally use ACF50 to "winterize" my motorcycles for use in the US winters where trucks brine the streets with salt. That seems to have been working for years now.

[@kevinjones7732]

@@moto_vana likewise, a liberal coating of the ACF50 seems to work wonders. God knows what state it would be in now if I hadn’t. Shame really KTM’s are top back road blasters and the build quality is what stops me buying a Super Duke.

[@moto_vana]

@@kevinjones7732 Oh agreed. I only got this baby KTM because it is made in India with Bajaj, who know a thing or two about making reliable bikes in a tough market. It's still a few years before I would get one of the notorious Austrian-made KTMs- they are fun but reliability continues to plague the entire range-electrical or structural. And I do at least 10-12000 miles a year so I need something reliable. And that's why, my Yamaha is always on standby lol

[@jessetrauma556]

Ktm's are great to ride, terrible to own. Lots of quarky problems in their entire line up.

[@krusejonathan01]

I’m a 390 Adventure owner. I’ve had no problems with my ownership experience. Time consuming oil change due to additional screens to clean is the only quirk I can think of.

[@youtubed9695]

On my 3rd ktm not a single issue fantastic bikes

[@makmoto0606]

Lots of hard riding on a 390 for a year and a half, and no serious issues. 390 ADV is an amazingly good bike!

[@Alastairtheduke1]

390 Duke owner, had the stator go at about 6k but I'm at 17k and no further problems eeeexcept the screen going on and off for no reason which needs a little love tap lol

[@jimmytorello7041]

I’ve owned my 2019 KTM Duke 390 for 3 years. Routine maintenance and new rear tire. No issues. Love my KTM.

[@skaraborgcraft]

Waiting for the Triumph 400X.......dont need all the gizmos.

[@kawthooleidevelopers]

It looks ugly

[@RYwoodview]

Matter of taste. I didn't want an orange bike, but the longer I have it the sharper I think it looks.

[@makmoto0606]

Love my 2021 390 ADV! A great bike that makes me smile and is so versatile. People are missing out if they overlook this.

[@tomaspetr6771]

Hey mate, I heard they are a little unreliable is this true?

[@makmoto0606]

@@tomaspetr6771 I haven’t had any problems.

[@VaibhavGandhi]

@@tomaspetr6771 I am close to year of owning one and have had 0 issues so far

[@zetalita3241]

How many kilometres have you done with your ktm; any problems until now?

[@kawatwist]

Toss up between Honda Crf-300rally and KTM anyone out there tried