After releasing their first entry-level Adventure bike, it was met with mostly mixed reviews, making it hard for anyone to actually assess just how good the bike really was.
In truth, we usually get what we pay for, and the little KTM makes no bones about the fact that it is an entry-level machine. It is not going to be in any respect a challenger to their existing adventure bikes, but it certainly will ruffle a few feathers when it comes to the competition. The Adventure bike market has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, thus it is understandable that the need for more accessible entry-level models has also grown. Most manufacturers have such entry-level bikes available, but none of them really compare to the 390 Adventure.
8 Torquey Engine
Although 40 horsepower doesn’t seem like all that much, the way the little thumper delivers its power is just incredible. It makes 27 lb-ft of torque, most of which is available right across the rev range. If you compare that to the bigger, heavier Honda CB500X, which only makes 31 lb-ft, off-road that torque delivery makes a big difference, it always feels ready to go, unlike the more sluggish parallel twins.
7 Street Oriented
Although the KTM certainly can go off-road, it is based on the duke 390 street bike and shares more than a few parts. This isn’t a bad thing at all though because the Duke has an excellent chassis, which makes the little adventure machine a genuinely fun bike to ride on the road. It gets more street-oriented tires too, so you will have no issues riding the bike on the highway.
6 Beginner Friendly
One of the bike's main objectives is accessibility, this means a low seat height (for the class), not too much power, and low weight. It is an exceptionally well-specced bike for its price point too, with cornering ABS, traction control, and a color TFT dash. Not many more expensive bikes come with this many features standard, making it even more attractive as a first bike.
5 Awkward Ergonomics
Having such a low seat height on an Adventure bike means the ergonomics are a bit off if you are any taller than 6 feet. Standing off-road feels unnatural, and doing it for long will wear you out thanks to the strange position it necessitates. On the other hand, if you are a little shorter than 6 feet, it will still feel relatively comfortable on the pegs and the seat is quite possibly the most comfortable in its class.
4 Incredible Versatility
Although nobody expects this bike to act like an enduro off-road, it performs admirably and is quite happy to hit the dirt in short bursts. It isn’t just a weekend warrior either, its sublime road manners mean it can comfortably take on a daily commute too. It has adequate wind protection which is great for highway riding but also takes the strain out of longer, faster commutes.
3 Great Value
At a shade over $6,000 it represents one of the best value for money options out there, the 373cc engine is solid and has proven to be reasonably reliable over the past 8 years doing duty in the RC and Duke 390 bikes. Looking at the competition, there really isn’t any, well, none that can do what the Adventure 390 can. Entry-level adventure bikes are still few and far between, those that are there are all either heavier, taller, or less capable. In short, anything that is actually better is quite a bit more expensive.
2 Some Compromises
You simply can’t have it all at this price point, what they have managed to do is include all the features they anticipate new riders want. It is a feature-rich little machine, but it is inescapably little. It will feel rather small for taller, bigger riders, and more experienced riders will find it rather limited off-road. It isn’t intended for that market though, it is intended for new, smaller framed riders, those who have very few options in terms of Adventure bikes.
1 Ready To Race
It stays true to the KTM mantra, it is a genuinely good little machine. It does have a fairly limited market and they certainly missed a trick by not giving it spoked wheels, which would have made it look and feel much more like an adventure bike. Its biggest competition will likely come from the bike it is based on; the Duke just seems like better value, as a street bike or a commuter it has the adventure bike beat and if you add some wind protection it will make a better tourer. If you are going to go off-road more than on it, then you wouldn’t be looking at this in the first place.