The Affordable Adventure Bike That’s Playing In The Big Leagues
Adventure bikes have taken the motorcycle world by storm, and it’s easy to see why. Few other types of motorcycles can do quite as much, and you honestly don’t see this much variety within a category either. On one side, you could have an air-cooled single with a basic TFT that reflects its simple approach to technology, while at the other end, there’s something far more sophisticated, like a V4 paired with suspension that can practically think for itself.
Naturally, it’s easy to assume that spending more money gets you more capability, and while there’s certainly some truth to that, there’s also some nuance here. And if you’re not allergic to saving money, sometimes going a little smaller or spending a little less than you originally planned can leave you with something that’s more approachable, surprisingly capable, and more refined than its price would have you believe.
Modern Refinement Has Seeped Into Small-Capacity ADV Engines
The thing about technology is that it waits for nobody, and the motorcycle world is no different. There’s always an R&D team working overtime to iron out a problem, squeeze a little more performance out of an engine, or simply make a motorcycle nicer to live with. Refinement is a good example because, unlike horsepower or weight, it’s not something you can slap a number on and call it a day. It’s the result of several things working together, from combustion and throttle response to engine balancing and vibration management.
Where is refinement a bigger concern than on a single-cylinder motorcycle? With just one piston doing all the work, the engine’s inherent vibrations can be harder to manage than those of a comparable multi-cylinder setup. Modern engine design and calibration make power delivery more predictable across the rev range, and one manufacturer has spent years refining its formula with a small-capacity adventure platform designed to handle more than just the daily commute.
KTM’s Answer To The Budget ADV Market Starts At Under $7,000
Enter the KTM 390 Adventure X, arguably one of the most sensible purchases in the brand’s lineup. Small-capacity adventure bikes have become increasingly competitive in markets around the world, and the X is KTM’s answer for riders who want a capable, well-rounded ADV without stretching their budget. At $6,499 before freight and other charges, it serves as the entry point into KTM’s 399cc adventure range, making a few sensible cuts to keep the price in check.
Its 399cc Single Is Smooth Without Sacrificing Power
If there’s one thing KTM hasn’t skimped on, it’s the engine. The 390 Adventure X gets the brand’s LC4c powerplant, a 398.7cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder unit paired with a six-speed gearbox. It produces 44.4 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 28.8 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm, making it one of the most powerful single-cylinder adventure bikes in its class. A four-valve cylinder head and electronic fuel injection round out the package, while liquid cooling helps manage operating temperatures.
KTM Ditched The Duke’s DNA For A Purpose-Built Adventure Chassis
The previous-generation 390 Adventure shared much of its DNA with the 390 Duke, but the current bike has a more adventure-focused foundation. KTM uses a two-piece steel trellis frame with a bolt-on steel trellis subframe, designed around the different demands of riding on and off the road. The rally-inspired styling might suggest that it’s ready to enter the Dakar tomorrow, but the chassis revisions are more than cosmetic. They give the bike a platform built specifically for adventure riding rather than simply dressing up a street bike.
Suspension is a key part of that setup. The X gets a 43mm WP Apex open-cartridge fork and a WP Apex emulsion shock, with 7.87 inches of travel at both ends. The front fork isn’t adjustable, while the rear shock offers preload adjustment to account for a passenger or luggage. Compression and rebound damping aren’t adjustable, keeping the setup straightforward for riders who want a versatile motorcycle without spending time fiddling with suspension settings.
19/17-Inch Wheels Promise Better Balance On And Off The Road
Rather than going all-in on a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear setup aimed at more demanding off-road riding, the X uses 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cast-alloy wheels. That combination is a familiar choice for road-biased adventure bikes because it offers a useful middle ground between pavement manners and the ability to handle gravel roads and lighter trails.
The smaller front wheel suits paved roads, while the overall setup gives riders the flexibility to leave the asphalt behind when the route calls for it. The cast-alloy construction also makes sense for a motorcycle that will spend plenty of time on the road. Paired with the 19/17-inch configuration, it gives the 390 Adventure X a versatile setup for commuting, touring, and the occasional detour onto unpaved roads, without leaning too heavily toward either extreme.
The Rider Aids Are More Premium Than Anything Else In The Segment
The 390 Adventure X isn’t completely stripped back when it comes to electronics. Its US specification includes ride-by-wire and Offroad ABS, which lets the rider disable rear-wheel ABS for loose surfaces. It also gets a five-inch LCD, USB-C charging, and smartphone connectivity, with turn-by-turn navigation available through KTM’s app.
The 390 Adventure X makes sense if your idea of adventure involves plenty of pavement, the occasional gravel road, and the freedom to take a detour. But if you’re the kind of rider who actively seeks out rocky trails, KTM has the 390 Adventure R, which starts at $7,699 in the US, a $1,200 premium over the X. For the extra money, you get 9.06 inches of suspension travel at both ends, adjustable WP Apex suspension, 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels, and Mitas Enduro Trail E07+ tires. The R is better suited to riders who regularly tackle demanding trails, but that doesn’t automatically make it the better buy. If most of your riding happens on pavement, the X’s lower price and less specialized setup may make more sense.
Sources: KTM
Related posts
Latest Post
No Comments