KTM debut incoming 390 Adventure R and confirm softer road-biased alternative for 2025

Austrian brand KTM may have taken a five-year break from the Eicma trade show in Milan, but that didn’t stop them returning with a full fleet of new releases – including a spicier 390 Adventure R model set to arrive in dealers from February.

The bike was displayed at the Italian show with no accompanying information, with the full spec sheet expected to arrive in the coming weeks – ready to capitalise on the growing demand for smaller, more accessible adventure bikes, crucially costing less money.

To find out more on the mystery machine, we grabbed 10 minutes with KTM’s Product Marketing Manager for off-road, Diete Engelbrecht during the show, who detailed more on the expected performance, features, and pricing.

“The demand is now in the middle class, so the LC8c engines and smaller,” Engelbrecht said. “That’s really where the big market is going and that’s what we want to focus on. People want lighter, not-so-expensive, not all that fancy technology.

“They’re being built in January 2025, so February you’ll be seeing them on dealership floors,” the spokesperson continued. “You’ll also be getting different specs – this is now the R and it’s got 21in front wheel (18in rear), but then you’ll also get another model with a 19in front and 17in rear wheel that’s a bit lower, plus different seat configurations.”

Powering the models will be the same 399cc LC4c single-cylinder engine as found in the current 390 Duke. Official power and torque figures are yet to be finalised, but we’re told the bike will put out similar numbers to its naked sibling – meaning around 44bhp and 29lb.ft of torque, and A2 licence compliance without restriction.

The price is also expected to be similar to the £5699 Duke, with the Adventures also designed and developed in Austria before being built in India thanks to a production partnership with Bajaj. The Husqvarna 401s that also share this motor are built there, too.

“We wanted to keep it closer in line with the rest of our adventure line-up, so keep it more distinctive with the 1390 Adventure look that’s got the new headlight, as well as future models that will follow that same look,” Diete continued. “It’s a completely new frame, and new swingarm. Nothing is shared with the old Adventure, or the Dukes.”

Despite being an all-new frame, there are clear parallels to be drawn with the 390 Duke’s steel trellis arrangement – including the upper beam design over the cylinder head. Additional bracing appears to be in place down low, towards the swingarm pivot, with the swingarm itself also enclosed rather than open lattice like on the Duke.

“The main news now is that you’ve got cruise control,” Engelbrecht continued. “That’s a big news compared to the other 390s – they haven’t got cruise control. You’ve also got three different ride modes: Street, Rain, and Off-Road. 

“In Off-Road, you’ve also got ABS then, you’ve got cornering ABS as well, and you’ve got cornering traction control.”

ABS can only be deactivated at the rear, however a more pared back incoming 390 Enduro R will offer the option to switch off the intervention at both ends.

Away from the electronics there is WP Apex suspension at the front and rear, with 215mm of travel. The bike seen on the stand had been further beefed up with optional WP Pro Components – an option only likely to be selected by the hardiest of adventurers.

“On the standard suspension, at the front you can adjust the compression and rebound – you can’t adjust the preload, but on the Pro Components you can,” he added. “At the rear, you can adjust preload, compression, and rebound. It’s fully adjustable on the rear. 

“It’s also now got the five-inch TFT dash, meaning you’ve got turn-by-turn navigation, and you can control music and all of that through KTM Connect. You’ve got a USB-C charging port, too.”