KTM 390 Adventure

The KTM 390 Adventure is a touring focused motorcycle with the ability to tackle uneven roads. You get an upright riding position, a tall front wheel and suspension built for bad surfaces. That makes it far more versatile than a road focused naked bike.

It costs Rs. 2.88 lakh (ex showroom) and comes in one Standard variant. Your on road price will shift with location, insurance and registration charges.

The engine is a 349.32cc, liquid cooled single. It makes 40.93 bhp at 8,600 rpm and 33.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm. This output provides enough pull for highway overtakes and climbing steep roads with a pillion or luggage. A six speed gearbox sends power to the wheel through a chain.

Claimed mileage is around 28 kmpl. The tank holds 14.5 litres. Treat 28 kmpl as a reference figure, not a promise. Traffic, speed, luggage and riding style all affect fuel efficiency.

• It looks like a proper adventure bike should. Tall, upright, high off the ground. If your weekends involve more than smooth city tarmac, that’s the point.
• The bike is 2,154 mm long, 900 mm wide and 1,400 mm tall, with a 1,470 mm wheelbase. That’s a big footprint. It will feel stable, but it won’t feel like a small street bike.
• Lighting is all LED: headlamp, tail lamp, indicators and daytime running lights. The headlamp is a projector unit. How well it lights up the road at night is something you’ll only know after riding it in the dark.
• The front wheel is 19 inches and the rear is 17. Tyres are 100/90 19 up front and 130/80 17 at the back.
• The windshield is adjustable, which is handy on a tourer bike. Don’t expect the wind protection of a big touring screen, though.
• My take: the stance looks great, but shorter riders will curse it in parking lots and at slow speeds.

• The 349.32cc engine is the heart of this bike. It’s a four stroke, single cylinder, liquid cooled DOHC unit with four valves. This setup is designed to deliver responsive acceleration for highway overtakes while maintaining consistent performance on long rides and steep climbs.
• Peak power is 40.93 bhp at 8,600 rpm. Peak torque is 33.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm. Torque is the twisting force that pulls you through the speed range. For this class, the numbers point to a bike that cares about performance.
• Six gears give you more ratios as speed climbs. The slipper clutch stops the rear wheel hopping when you downshift hard. It also lightens the clutch when you’re swapping gears a lot.
• Fuel injection and ride by wire are standard. Ride by wire swaps the mechanical throttle link for electronic control, so the system manages throttle response more precisely.
• Top speed is 155 kmph. That’s enough headroom for highway overtakes and fast cruising. Keep it sensible, though, because road and traffic decide what’s safe.
• Mileage is listed at 28 kmpl, which is fine for planning. Real figures will vary. The 14.5 litre tank is useful on longer rides, but plan your fuel stops around your route and what the bike actually returns.
• Honestly, the engine is the best thing here. But don’t expect commuter bike running costs. Budget for fuel and maintenance.

• The frame is a split trellis. Kerb weight is 181 kg and dry weight is 162 kg. Kerb weight includes fuel and fluids, so it’s the number that matters for everyday handling.
• Ground clearance is 228 mm. That’s more room over rough stuff than most road bikes give you. It doesn’t make every trail easy, though.
• Suspension is an upside down front fork with 200 mm of wheel travel and a rear monoshock with 205 mm. Wheel travel is how far the suspension moves to soak up a bump. These numbers fit the adventure brief.
• Brakes are a 320 mm front disc and a 240 mm rear disc. Dual channel ABS keeps both wheels from locking under hard braking. You can switch it off, which gives you control on the right surfaces.
• The 19 inch front wheel and long travel suspension handle broken roads better than a typical street bike. Leaving the tarmac still comes down to tyres, your skill and the surface.
• And 181 kg isn’t nothing. Pushing it around a tight parking space or picking it up after a slow speed slip will remind you. I’d test the balance before booking.

• You get a 5 inch TFT display showing speed, fuel level and trip data. TFT stands for thin film transistor, the tech that keeps the screen clear.
• Bluetooth and mobile connectivity are on the list. So are navigation, call and SMS alerts, and a mobile app. Check which functions work with your phone and the current software before you rely on them for a tour.
• Traction control manages rear wheel slip when you accelerate. It’s handy when grip changes on wet or loose surfaces. It won’t fix a jerky throttle hand or the wrong tyres.
• There’s cruise control too, which holds a set speed without constant throttle input. A USB charging port keeps your devices alive.
• No selectable riding modes, though. If you wanted separate engine settings for rain, road and sport, that’s a miss.
• The digital console adds a distance to the empty indicator and real time mileage display. Useful if you plan long days in the saddle.

Want a performance focused bike with touring kit and real rough road ability? This could be your pick. The 349.32cc engine makes 40.93 bhp and 33.5 Nm, and the six speed gearbox and slipper clutch back up spirited riding.

Ground clearance of 228 mm, plus 200 mm of front and 205 mm of rear suspension travel, are the big wins on uneven roads. The 5 inch TFT display, Bluetooth, traction control and switchable ABS round out the equipment.

Now the trade offs. At Rs. 2.88 lakh ex showroom, it’s out of reach for a basic commuter budget. The 181 kg kerb weight needs thought. And shorter riders may struggle with that tall stance during slow manoeuvres.

Before you bring this KTM bike home, you must ride it in traffic and on open roads. Check the riding position, low speed balance, clutch feel and braking response. Then confirm the specifications and features with a trusted dealer.

It better suits riders who want performance, ground clearance and touring gear. If most of your rides are short city commutes and trips through parking areas, you can skip it.