To understand what the KTM 390 Adventure R is all about, you need to scrutinise two things: the spec sheet and the looks. The looks just scream ‘Rally bike’. The specs complete the picture. Let’s start with the heart of the beast. The first clue is the bore and stroke of 89 mm x 64 mm. This is radically ‘oversquare’, an indication that KTM wanted a screamer that would rev like a banshee and deliver decent top-end hit.
With a 398.7 cc single cylinder with double overhead cams sitting in a 4-valve head, it is no longer an indication but a statement. It churns out a respectable 44 horses at 8,500 revs and 28,8 ft lbs of torque at 6,500 rpm. This bike from Team Orange is no poser; it is ‘Ready to Race!’ With a five-model 390 range, KTM could go all out to achieve its goal of making a complete Adventure bike without compromise.
The chassis also complements the performance picture. A two-piece trellis frame has WP APEX 43 forks with adjustable compression and rebound damping up front and a WP APEX Split piston rear shock mounted directly between swingarm and frame in an offset position reminiscent of a Scrambler Ducati.
Wheel travel is a substantial 230 mm at each end with 272 mm of ground clearance. Wheels are 21” front and 18” rear, typically found on committed off-roaders where a wide tyre choice is available. Brakes are by Bybre, an Indian subsidiary of Brembo, with a 320 mm front disc and radially mounted 2-piston calliper. Typically, a 240 mm disc and 1 piston calliper do duty at the rear.
Electronics are comprehensive and easily accessed through the 5” TFT dash. Street, Offroad and Rain modes allow adjusting engine power appropriately based on application. With a package as sorted as the 390 R, my personal opinion is that they are an unnecessary complication, but that is just the way the world works. Electronics are probably essential on a 160+ horsepower, 225 kg monster, but on the 390, not so much.
ABS can be switched off on the rear wheel for off-road use. The front ABS is well dialled in for dirt duty. With its 14-litre tank filled to the brim, the little Katoom tips the scales at around 179 kg, a full 20 kg lighter than the CF Moto 450 or the Royal Enfield Himalayan. This weight advantage is most apparent when off-road.
The test bike was fitted with full Michelin knobblies rather than the less extreme Mitas Enduro Trail EO7+, which are the standard fitment tyre. This no doubt enhanced the off-road performance but came at the expense of the on-road performance. The bike had a bit of a buzz in the footpegs and handlebars at over 5,000 rpm, which equates to a road speed of just over 110 kph.
Part of this buzz could well be caused by the aggressive tyres. The power comes in softly till about 4,500 rpm, after which it has a decent top end hit. This helps with overtaking slower traffic briskly, as well as to break the rear wheel loose when wanting to rear wheel steer on dirt. It is actually pleasant to stay in the soft part of the power when riding around town, as progress is smoother and less frenzied. With the maximum torque at 6,500 rpm, it is necessary to stir the gearbox to get a proper hurry up. This is no issue as the box is precise and slick.
At the legal limit, the bike is still far enough from the redline to allow comfortable cruising without feeling that you are stressing the motor. With the motor revving around 6,000, you simply open the throttle, and the bike responds with decent shove. The 390 Adventure R absolutely rips in the dirt! Most Adventure bikes feel like road bikes with dirt ability. With the 390 R, it is the other way round; it attacks the dirt like a plastic and then has friendly ergos and a decent enough seat to take the sting out of long tar sections. The Rally type screen not only looks the business, it is functionally excellent too.
It almost seems a shame to encumber it with luggage, but rackless luggage like Giant Loop or Turkana would, to my mind, work best. What also enhances its long-distance performance is optional cruise control. Speaking of options, I would definitely add a quickshifter as it makes shifting while standing off-road a doddle. The TFT display is clear and easy to read and navigate through, even if you are a technophobe like me. At cruising speeds, you will enjoy good fuel economy and get a decent range from the 14-litre tank. It should not be too difficult to see over 300 k’s on a tank.
I don’t think that the only appeal of the Adventure R is for those wanting to dip a toe in the adventure bike pond. I believe that many a big Adventure bike rider will want a 390 R ‘on the side’ for those rides that are gnarly dirt and more suited too, and fun, on a lightweight bike with good suspension and stellar offroad ability. At a purchase price of roughly half that of a big Adventure bike, it will allow owners to smoke their mates on bigger and more ponderous Adventure bikes when the going gets really rough.
I rode it down whooped and washed-out dirt roads strewn with lurkers and washed-out gullies, as well as on both fast and tight single track. On a big Adventure bike, there is always a ball of apprehension in the pit of your stomach when you are ripping. You know that if some unforeseen obstacle presents itself, it will probably not end well. With the 390 Adventure R, your control is at a level where you are prepared to take your chances, believing that the lightweight and ability of the bike will save your bacon.
A pro-level rider may find the suspension limited when pushing really hard, but for the average Joe, the bike will flatter your talent and make you look really good. It is plush and enhances ride comfort over gnarly roads massively. The bashplate looks a tad flimsy, but then again, you have 272 mm of ground clearance to play with. Big, heavy bikes are best suited to more open terrain and become a serious handful in the technical stuff. On this bike, it is a joy to ride everywhere! And that, for me, is the huge appeal of this bike. It is one of those rare machines that delivers totally on its promises.
I got off the bike after a rip in the dirt and started to tell myself why I need such a beast. The KTM 390 Adventure R redefines off-road performance in its class. If you are that guy or girl who likes their adventure with a huge dollop of gnarly dirt mixed in, you need look no further. Good job, KTM, good job! We may just see a bunch of big Adventure bikes in the smalls and a lot of Adventure R’s out there.
KTM 390 Adventure R:
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