KTM 390 Adventure X: 3 reasons to buy and 2 to skip

The KTM 390 Adventure X was recently updated with many of the features from its more expensive sibling along with a small price hike. This change has made it one of the most appealing options at the Rs 3 lakh mark

3 reasons you should consider the KTM 390 Adventure X

Seating and touring comfort

The new KTM 390 Adventure X makes for a fantastic touring motorcycle, with a spacious seating position, rather good suspension comfort and effective wind protection at highway speeds. Another big advantage is that at 181kg it is not only noticeably lighter than the 196kg Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 but also less top heavy and easier for short riders to manage.

Vast feature list

With the latest update, the 390 Adventure X now gets riding modes, cruise control, cornering ABS in addition to the previous TFT display and bi-drectional quickshifter. All this comes for just Rs 12,000 more than before and takes the price up to Rs 3.03 lakh ex-showroom. Unless you specifically want the spoked wheels, bigger 21-inch front and adjustable suspension from the standard 390 Adventure, the X will meet your needs very well.

Strong performance

With a  liquid-cooled 399cc engine that puts out 46hp and 39Nm of torque, this is a quick bike and it managed the 0-100kph run in just 6.04s in our tests. While the bottom end is quite weak, the engine comes to life when you build the revs. That being said, it’s not as manic feeling as in the KTM 390 Duke and the 390 ADV can be ridden at a sedate pace without any fuss. This could be either a plus or minus point depending on what you expect from a KTM ADV.

2 reasons to skip the KTM 390 Adventure X

Extensive Bodywork

The 390 Adventure has a lot of body panels and all of the test bikes we have ridden so far have had minor buzzes or rattles emanating from the bodywork. This is something you will probably have to live with over our rough roads. The pigmented plastic panels also look authentically ‘dirtbike’ but they stain very easily. Finally, the large windscreen is very functional on the highway, but can be intrusive when riding off road. It also blocks a lot of the air when riding in city traffic at slow speeds which leads to a rather stuffy feeling in hot climates.

Single cylinder refinement

KTMs have never been known for their refinement and while this engine is smoother than the older 373cc mills, there’s still an audible amount of engine clatter and if you are looking for a smooth ride, you will probably want to extend your budget for a twin cylinder ADV.

Beyond that, there are very few complaints with this motorcycle and it does offer a lot of bang for your buck.

Also see:

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: 3 reasons to buy and 2 to skip