KTM reveal long-awaited 390 Adventure update with new off-road focussed R and road-biased X models
Little more than a week on from Stefan Pierer stepping away from his role as KTM CEO amidst ongoing financial uncertainty, the Ready to Race brand have pulled the covers off a revamped 390 Adventure duo, consisting of a £6699 R and £5399 X variant.
Expected to grace showrooms as early as March, the 390 Adventure R is the first R badged motorcycle to be built outside of KTM’s Mattighofen homeland, with production dealt with by Indian partners Bajaj Auto.
Although previously seen as a concept at the 2024 EICMA trade show in Milan last November, this is the first time we’ve seen the fully-production ready R variant. It arrives amidst continued economic troubles, which have prompted hundreds of job losses, and a production pause in Austria. Over 3500 creditor claims have been levelled against KTM AG alone, amounting to €2.185billion.
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Away from the economic issues, the new A2 licence adventurer is based largely on the 390 Enduro R (also launched in January 2025) – sharing the same engine, frame and suspension.
The main differences are a five litre larger tank on the Adventure (now 14-litres), plus the addition of a new rally inspired fairing and tower which houses a full LED lighting setup.
These changes up the quoted fuel range to 257 miles, which is 92 more than can be squeezed from the Enduro model, while also adding a four-kilogram weight penalty – with the scales tipped at 165kg without fuel.
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It’s fair to say that KTM know how to build an off-road capable machine – especially with the brand recently taking the top spot in the Dakar Rally again – leaving them with more than double the overall wins than any other single manufacturer at the event.
The brand say that know-how has inspired the new R, which they claim is the most dirt capable small capacity adventurer to date, offering the same proficiency as their larger 890 Adventure R and 1390 Adventure R models in the rough stuff, without the same amount of weight to pick up out of the mud should you take a tumble.
Power comes courtesy of an overhauled 399cc LC4c single-cylinder engine borrowed from the current Duke range – meaning there’s a claimed 44bhp at 8500rpm and 29lb.ft of torque at 7000rpm to play with.
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The new motor platform gets a 5kg lighter stainless exhaust, revised fuel injection, airbox and a new cylinder head. There’s also a rejigged gearbox, plus a standard fit slipper clutch.
It also comes with updated service intervals – the first check being required at 600-miles, rising to 6200-miles between services thereafter, with valve inspections required every other check over.
On to the chassis and the frame is largely based on the existing Duke models, but it gets new subframe mounts, a revised steering head angle and a 25mm taller handlebar position to suit the new role.
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Suspension is lifted from the recently launched 390 Enduro R, with WP APEX 43mm open cartridge forks paired to matching a monoshock – both of which are good for 230mm of travel.
In terms of adjustability, the forks are tuneable through 30 stages of both compression and rebound damping adjustment, where the shock can be tweaked for rebound and pre-load only.
Elsewhere, the R sports a 18/21-inch wheel arrangement, shod with Mitas E07+ 50/50 rubber.
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Interestingly for the green laning brigade, the rear rim is a 2.5-inch-wide affair which accommodates 140mm-section rubber as standard – unlocking the option to run full-on knobbly tyres.
Despite the off-road attitude, there’s plenty of tech thrown at the 390 too. This includes a five-inch TFT and three ride modes (Street, Off-Road and Rain – which limits power delivery and heightens traction control (TC) intervention). Whichever of these modes is in use when the bike is turned off will remain engaged upon start up.
There’s also dual channel ABS, switchable cornering sensitive TC, and, for a touch of mile munching comfort, optional cruise control as well.
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In the cheap seats
Alongside the spicier 390 Adventure R, KTM have lifted the lid on a more budget friendly X model, coming in £1600 cheaper than its blingier sibling.
Set to hit dealers by Autumn and with the prices set at £5399, the X shares the same frame and engine, but gets a more moderate spec list elsewhere, with changes to the wheels, suspension, tech and controls.
Alongside a more restrained look, the X wears 17/19-inch cast hoops and comes equipped with less dirt orientated rubber.
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Suspension travel is also reduced to 200mm and comes with no adjustability for compression or rebound damping at either end.
Outback, the WP APEX Emulsion shock absorber is tuneable for preload with a tool, however – just like the R.
With the drop in bounce, seat height is reduced from the lofty 870mm figure of the R, to a more manageable 825mm.
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In terms of electronical goodies, the ride modes are the same, but there is no cornering traction control and the dash switches to an LCD unit, although it retains the same phone connectivity and navigation function, built in.