The KTM 390 Adventure has been many riders’ favourite gateway into adventure riding for some time now. What began life in late 2019 as a cleverly packaged lightweight adventure bike based on the spirited 390 Duke has now grown into something far more purpose-built, barely sharing any DNA with its road-going sibling.
The original bike set a benchmark in the small-capacity adventure segment. At the South African launch back in 2020 at Sun City, it impressed Dave and me with its adjustable WP suspension, rider modes, switchable ABS and the optional PowerParts quickshifter—hardware that very few competitors could match at the time. Oh, and it wasn’t a bad looker either, distinctly KTM.
More importantly, it worked. It felt just as happy weaving through city traffic as it did exploring gravel roads. I even took a trip on one through Botswana’s sandy Tuli Block before riding it all the way back to Pretoria, proving that KTM’s smallest adventure bike was capable of far more than its modest engine size suggested.
The evolution of the 390 Adventure
Fast forward to today, and KTM’s 390 family has exploded in popularity. Alongside the Duke, RC, Enduro R, and SMC R sit two completely reimagined adventure bikes: the Adventure X and Adventure R.
These aren’t simply different trim levels. KTM has gone back to the drawing board with a redesigned chassis, longer-travel suspension and a completely new philosophy. Power now comes from the latest 399 cc LC4c single-cylinder engine, replacing the old 373 cc motor. The extra capacity does not transform the bike into a rocket ship, but it does give it noticeably more punch throughout the rev range, making overtakes easier and adding a stronger, more relaxed character on both tar and dirt.
During a recent visit to KTM South Africa, Harry grabbed the keys to the dirt-focused Adventure R, while I spent my time aboard the handsome Adventure X. Harry has already sung the R’s praises, and rightly so. It sits amongst the most capable lightweight adventure bikes currently on sale, built for riders who prioritise technical trails over everything else.
X or R?
But not every adventure rider spends their weekends chasing rocky climbs and river crossings. Most of us still have to deal with Monday morning traffic before we can disappear down a gravel road on Saturday. That’s exactly where the Adventure X makes its strongest argument.
Currently on offer at under R100,000, it undercuts the Adventure R by around R40,000, making it a far more attainable option for first-time adventure riders, commuters and anyone looking for one motorcycle to do everything. It’s a fun yet practical package that every demographic can enjoy.
Compared with the R, the X swaps the TFT display for a simpler LCD dash and does without cruise control, cornering ABS and motorcycle traction control. It rolls on a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cast wheel combination with non-adjustable WP suspension, yet it still comes well equipped with handguards, tubeless wheels, an aluminium sump guard and a tall touring screen. It’s also equipped with more road-focused Apollo tyres as opposed to the Mitas on the Adventure R. On paper, it might look like a compromise, but in reality, it certainly doesn’t feel like it.
In fact, I’d go as far as saying the Adventure X is the better all-rounder ADV bike. The 19/17-inch wheel combination, gravel-biased WP suspension and slightly lower stance make it feel planted through corners, comfortable over badly tarred roads, and remarkably confidence-inspiring during the daily commute.
What surprised me most, though, was how little it gave away once the tar ended. Riding alongside the Adventure R at De Wildt Adventure Trails, the X followed almost everywhere the R went. It simply asked for a little more finesse and slightly lower speeds through the rougher sections. In return, it rewarded me with a smoother power delivery and a plusher ride over gravel, making it more forgiving and inspiring confidence rather than demanding commitment.
Unless you’re regularly tackling technical terrain, I’d argue the Adventure X actually strikes the better balance. For the kind of gravel touring, commuting and weekend exploring that most adventure riders actually do, it leaves very little wanting.
Can an adventure bike replace your daily commute?
As someone who commutes between Hatfield and Sandton, I wanted to know whether buying a motorcycle like the Adventure X actually made financial sense, or whether it was simply another toy disguised as practical transport. The numbers were eye-opening to say the least.
Covering around 104 km a day from Hatfield to Sandton and back, the KTM’s claimed fuel consumption of 3.4 l/100 km works out to roughly R462 a week in fuel (R1,848 a month). Finance over five years at 12% interest with a R10,000 deposit comes to around R2,084 per month, while insurance for a 28-year-old rider sits at roughly R419 per month (using my current insurer).
Considering that the 390 Adventure has a 10,000 km service interval, I would roughly be doing a normal oil service every 5 months, which costs around R3,400 (with air filter included), depending on the dealer, which, when spread over five months, adds roughly R680 to your monthly costs. That brings the monthly total to around R5,000. Obviously, you’ve still got to budget for chains, sprockets, tyres and brake pads, but these 390s are known for being light-wearing on those parts.
Motorcycle vs Gautrain
The weekly Hatfield-to-Sandton package on the Gautrain costs R855, or roughly R3,420 per month, before adding parking or transport like Uber between Sandton station and the office, which works out to roughly R100 per day or R500 per week to Uber from the train to the office. The Gautrain has a few other payment methods like pay-as-you-go, weekly and monthly packages, costing you anywhere from R196 a day all the way up to around R4,000 for a monthly package. By my rough calculations, we are looking at R5,420, and that’s also without a tempting breakfast bun or coffee. I don’t know about you, but suddenly, the KTM doesn’t just sound like a motorcycle anymore; it’s starting to become a compelling financial argument.
Instead of spending thousands every month on public transport with nothing to show for it at the end, those same monthly costs could be going towards owning a motorcycle that would still be sitting in my garage five years later. But, of course, there’s more to it than the numbers. Public transport works brilliantly for many people, but for me, flexibility has value too. Leaving when I want, avoiding waiting times and being able to take the scenic route home are benefits that no spreadsheet can properly measure.
Of course, there are cheaper ways to commute. An older second-hand hatchback, a CVT scooter or a small-capacity commuter motorcycle will almost always cost less to buy and, in some cases, even less to run. But they each ask you to compromise somewhere. Older cars can bring reliability concerns and rising maintenance bills; scooters quickly run out of comfort on the highway, and many entry-level commuter bikes feel exactly like that—built to get you from A to B rather than somewhere you’d actually choose to ride.
The Adventure X occupies a sweet spot. It’s affordable enough to justify as everyday transport, yet capable enough to disappear on a gravel-road adventure with your mates the moment Friday afternoon rolls around. That’s a value proposition that’s far harder to put a price on.
Final thoughts
And perhaps that’s why the Adventure X impressed me as much as it did. It’s easy to focus on what it doesn’t have compared to the Adventure R. The electronics are simpler, the suspension isn’t adjustable, and it gives up some outright off-road capability. Yet after spending time commuting, touring and riding dirt on it, I never felt like I was riding the budget option. Instead, I found myself riding what I think is one of the most balanced do-it-all motorcycles KTM has built in this class.
The Adventure R remains the bike I’d choose for tackling Lesotho passes or chasing technical trails. But for the other 90% of riding, like the daily commute, weekend breakfast runs, gravel roads, and the occasional adventure, the Adventure X quietly makes the stronger case. There may be cheaper ways to get to work, but very few will leave you looking for excuses to take the long way home or pack your bags for a weekend away.
KTM 390 Adventure R & Adventure X
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