KTM 390 Adventure

The 2025 KTM 390 Adventure is finally here, and it brings a lot of improvements that riders have been asking for. KTM has clearly taken feedback seriously and made a motorcycle that feels more refined and capable.

We’ve ridden the earlier version, and while the motorcycle had its strengths, it always felt a bit confused. It wasn’t clear if it wanted to be a proper adventure bike or just a capable tourer. This new one, though, feels like it knows exactly what it wants to be. The 390 Adventure feels more off-road ready and yet comfortable enough to ride every day.

During our time with it, we rode it through city traffic, over broken roads, and even out on some forest trails. Here’s a closer look at the new KTM 390 Adventure's all features and capabilities.

• The bike looks properly rugged now, almost like a rally bike. You’ve got the tall windscreen, a raised beak-like mudguard, and that stacked LED headlamp setup that gets noticed everywhere.

• It definitely turns heads. We were riding it in the city, and most of the people were looking at this bike. Its road presence is crazy, the bike looks sharp and focused.
• The only thing we don’t like much is the underbelly exhaust. If the bike had a higher-mounted exhaust like “Hero Xpulse”, the motorcycle would’ve looked more “adventure-like”. However, it doesn’t really affect performance.

• The rider seat is wide and lets you move around easily. We rode for over an hour without any backache or discomfort.
• The handlebar is tall and wide, giving you that commanding ADV feel. It’s perfect for both sitting and standing while riding.
• The pillion comfort is okay for short trips. The rear seat is a bit narrow, and over longer rides it might feel cramped.

• The new grab rails at the back are chunky and easy to hold, though they do stick out a bit.

• The 5-inch TFT screen is bright and clear, and all your info is easy to read even in sunlight. We used it with gloves on and had no issues scrolling through modes.
• You get three riding modes, including Rain, Street, and Offroad. We personally found Off-road mode to be the most entertaining, even on normal roads. It just makes the throttle feel more connected.
• The cruise control is available and super easy to use. We were riding down the highway and it made those long stretches much more relaxed.
• There’s also a quickshifter that works both up and down. It’s not very precise every time, but once you get used to it, it’s hard to go back to shifting manually.

• You can even connect your phone for call alerts, music, and turn-by-turn navigation. We didn’t use it much, but it’s there if you want it.

• The 398.63cc engine feels lively but not jerky. In the city, you can ride at 40kmph in 6th gear and it won’t complain.
• The bike’s got plenty of punch for overtakes. On the highway, cruising at 100-110kmph felt effortless. We even hit 130-140 kmph at one point and the bike felt stable.

• Moreover, the engine heat is handled much better now. Even in traffic, it didn’t get uncomfortably hot. The earlier version used to roast your legs, but this one is way cooler literally.
• Yes, there are some vibrations on the footpegs when you're riding slow in traffic, but once you pick up speed, they mostly disappear.

• We got a fuel efficiency of around 24kmpl while riding hard, but we did expect closer to 26-27 kmpl if you mix city and highway calmly.

• The new suspension setup is where this bike really shines. We took it over rocky trails and speed breakers without slowing down much, and it just soaked everything up.

• You can adjust both the front forks and rear monoshock easily. We didn’t feel the need to change the stock settings, but it’s great to have the option.
• On the road, it felt plush and stable. Off-road, it gave us the confidence to go faster than we normally would.
• The bike doesn’t get thrown off by potholes or undulations. Even with a pillion, the ride didn’t feel harsh or bouncy.

• Despite being a tall ADV, it feels light when you’re riding. Our rider was 5’7” and didn’t struggle at all with U-turns or tight lanes.
• Furthermore, manoeuvring through traffic is surprisingly easy. It doesn’t feel bulky like some other ADVs.
• On twisty roads, the bike leans in confidently. We took a few corners a bit faster than usual and it stayed planted.
• The brakes are strong and predictable. They don’t feel grabby, which is great when you’re off-road. You can brake hard without feeling like you’ll lose control.

• Moreover, the ABS works quietly in the background and doesn’t get in your way. You can even turn it off for the rear wheel when you want to slide it around off-road.

• The spoke wheels now come with tubeless tyres. That’s a big deal for off-roaders because fixing a puncture is way easier.

• The bike’s 237mm ground clearance lets you glide over big rocks and tall speed breakers without scraping anything underneath.
• We rode it through some loose gravel and rocky paths and didn’t have to worry once about the bike getting stuck or catching anything underneath.

The 2025 KTM 390 Adventure is a great option if you want a bike that can handle daily rides, long trips, and off-roading effortlessly. It’s not the cheapest out there, but what you get in return: power, features, comfort, and real capability make it worth the price.

We have tried quite a few ADVs lately, and this one really feels well-balanced. Even if you’re new to adventure bikes or upgrading from a smaller bike, it’s easy to get used to. So if you were waiting for the 390 Adventure to finally feel complete, this is the one. It’s ready for whatever kind of ride you want.