2020 KTM 390 Adventure Review First Ride

KTM wants all motorcyclists to have a real taste of adventure with its latest ADV-class entry. Introducing the super-light and super-affordable 390 Adventure ($6,199). The 390 Adventure builds upon KTM’s storied 22-year history of engineering go-anywhere, do-anything bikes that appeal to wanderlust riders who go by their own compass.

Editor’s Note: We’ve covered the technical details in the “The KTM 390 Adventure Has Arrived” article. So this report revolves on what it’s like to ride on the road, and off.

With its 3.8-gallon tank topped off, the 390 Adventure weighs 387 pounds. That’s 83 pounds less than its next of kin, and already light within its middleweight class, 790 Adventure R.

While other manufacturers’ “entry-level” motorcycles are a two-third version of the real thing, physically, the 390 is a full-size machine. Seat height is a tad taller than other manufacturers’ offerings inside this class, but we wouldn’t deem that a bad thing. Folks of average and above height can still stand firmly on flat ground and will appreciate the extra ground clearance and off-road capability when the going gets tough.

A thin alloy skid plate guards the exhaust and a plastic piece shields the underside of the engine. Hardcore off-roaders will upgrade this piece, but it’s nice KTM offers some form of protection from the factory. We also value the 390’s large cleated footpegs, which afford high grip against the sole of your boots.

Taking a seat at the controls reveals a cozy cockpit with a wide and upright handlebar and well-supported seat. There’s also ample room for a passenger, or a pack. Furthermore, grab rails double as a suitable mounting point for bungees. In typical KTM fashion, the controls of the 390 are loaded with adjustment, including handlebar, lever, and brake pedal position (up and down as well as the fore and aft position of the cleat). Well done, KTM. Robust hand guards and crashbars provide further protection to both man and machine. Additionally, the windscreen has two-position adjustment.

A 5-inch color TFT display keeps tabs on the 390’s vitals. It’s the same setup used on the 790 Adventure. Although it is replete with information, the fonts are a tad small. Handlebar-mounted switch gear allows the rider to navigate through a variety of trip information, including fuel range and mpg. The rider can also set up a “favorites” setting in which they can customize the trip readout with their eight favorite settings. We also appreciate that the display has a “dark mode” (black background with white fonts). A handy 12-volt DC port is positioned below the display so you can power a GPS or other accessories while riding.

On a related note, we adore the newly fitted display on KTM’s 1290 Super Duke R and hope this panel trickles down to all future KTM models.

Nearly 7 inches of suspension travel graces the 390 affording a surprising level of capability on and off pavement, especially for a 182-pound rider. Independent compression and rebound damping adjustment let riders tweak front suspension action. Tool-free adjustment knobs atop each fork leg make adjustment easy and we appreciate the red fork slides that demonstrate suspension stroke. The PDS-style shock (direct-mount, sans linkage) adds spring preload adjustment with rebound damping only.

The suspension does a fine job of filtering out the effects of rough pavement yet has a reasonable degree of support when entering bends at speed. We also value the well-damped rebound calibration which nets compliant chassis feel over larger bumps. The OE-fitted 50/50-style (designed for equal parts on- and off-road use) Continental TKC70 tires perform well on pavement and off. However, those who wish to go further off road will want to fit a more aggressive 70/30-style knob in the TKC80 or Bridgestone Adventurecross AX41 rubber.

The last time we dyno tested this 373cc single in the 2019 390 Duke it produced just more than 40 hp and 26.1 pound-feet torque. The engine has a surprising amount of power considering its displacement. It’s more than capable of outrunning cars from stoplights, and triple-digit speeds aren’t out of the question either. Updated fuel mapping helps it run more smoothly, with less vibration, but you still feel buzzes through the controls and see them in the rearview mirrors. However considering the 390’s price point, we can certainly live with it. On a side note, the 390 has a larger curved radiator to help dissipate engine heat when riding off highway.

Our 390 Adventure was outfitted with an optional electronic quickshifter (TBD price) which makes for instant clutchless up- and downshifts. This makes the 390 feel faster than you’d think considering its horsepower numbers. It also adds a degree of chassis stability during downshifts at lean on pavement.

KTM’s most affordable ADV rig also includes lean-angle-sensitive IMU-powered Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) which helps mitigate wheelspin over slippery terrain. It can be easily disabled for off-road riding or based on preference (aka wheelies). ABS with an off-road-specific mode (disables rear function) is another welcome feature so you can slide around turns. Government regulations in Europe dictate mandatory front ABS on all 2020 and newer motorcycles. And since this is a global model, front ABS is fixed.

Without question, KTM’s 390 Adventure is a slam dunk inside this class. Although priced a few hundred dollars more than its rivals, the 390 proves its worth in its capability and fun factor. Fit and finish and overall build quality are improving (as compared to the RC 390) and aside from a few cheap-looking fasteners and some orange peel paint effect on the frame, you’d be hard-pressed to know this motorcycle was assembled in India. If you’re a value-conscious rider looking to experience true adventure, KTM has the answer with its 390 Adventure.

Helmet: AGV AX9 Carbon

Jacket: Dainese D-Explorer Gore-Tex

Gloves: Dainese Universe Gore-Tex

Pant: Dainese D-Explorer Gore-Tex

Boots: Dainese Centauri Gore-Tex