2025 KTM 390 Adventure

[Apex]

Hi.

Here's the mail.

"
Hi Chris,

Bike will leave Austria tomorrow, we will see early September

Hoping collection W/C 08/09

 

[Apex]

Good news, it looks like mine will arrive towards the end of this week so I should be able to pick up next weekend. Time to get some tyres ordered and start investigating if there are quality bashplates and handguards on the market yet (stock handguards and bashplate fall into the chocolate teapot category).

I will also want to get the quickshifter and cruise ordered but suspect that will be on first service if they can get the parts.

For tyres I think I'm going to get a set of Mitas enduro trail XT+ as they worked quite well on my tiger. Its a lighter bike though, so wondering if Michelin Trackers would be better.

Just to say, again. I absolutely HATE Michelin Trackers. I'll never buy a set ever again. I fitted some to the CRF 300 Rally and man alive they were bad. I tried different pressures but nothing worked. They have awful road feel and were terrible off-road. What they were....was cheap. So if you want cheap crap tyres go for it. If you've got an light enduro bike then they might be a cheap option. But for these mid weight ADV - for me - it's a NO!

The Rally got changed onto an MT21 front and D606 rear. Transformation. They're a cliche I know, but the choice of many for proper ADV riding. My only criticism is that on the motorway they're noisy.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Just to say, again. I absolutely HATE Michelin Trackers. I'll never buy a set ever again. I fitted some to the CRF 300 Rally and man alive they were bad. I tried different pressures but nothing worked. They have awful road feel and were terrible off-road. What they were....was cheap. So if you want cheap crap tyres go for it. If you've got an light enduro bike then they might be a cheap option. But for these mid weight ADV - for me - it's a NO!

The Rally got changed onto an MT21 front and D606 rear. Transformation. They're a cliche I know, but the choice of many for proper ADV riding. My only criticism is that on the motorway they're noisy.

I have found Michelin Trackers a good option on my XR400 and 350 EXC-F enduro and a balance between road and trail use

Better offroad than a front MT21, which is dire on mud and wet rocks

 

[Eastmidsbiker]

Thanks for the feedback on tyres @Apex and @JohnnyBoxer , I've gone with Mitas Enduro Trail XT+ as I quite liked them on my Tiger. Actually I loved the front and hated the rear but that was because I had to go for the 'Dakar' rear compound option on a 17 inch wheel. After researching, the Trackers aren't a high enough speed rating for the KTM (needs 'T' but Trackers are 'R' rated). The D606, MT21 seems a very popular combo, especially with the Himalayan gang.

Gratuitous pics below from the dealer, one of the things I love about the bike is it looks so slim low down, no more getting wedged in ruts (maybe) !

 

[Apex]

I have found Michelin Trackers a good option on my XR400 and 350 EXC-F enduro and a balance between road and trail use

Better offroad than a front MT21, which is dire on mud and wet rocks

I don't totally disagree with you. But that's because the trackers are made with chewing gum, hence the issues with every other part of Adv riding, especially rut and road riding. Dreadful.

 

[Apex]

After researching, the Trackers aren't a high enough speed rating for the KTM (needs 'T' but Trackers are 'R' rated).

That's because they're best for enduro bikes.

Congrats with the bike. It looks small in your pics.

 

[Mad Hatter]

I have found Michelin Trackers a good option on my XR400 and 350 EXC-F enduro and a balance between road and trail use

Better offroad than a front MT21, which is dire on mud and wet rocks

Me too, work well on 350EXC and R80GS

 

[Mad Hatter]

I really like the idea of the 390R and it looks amazing, but unfortunately for my lanky 6'4" it's just too small

 

[Eastmidsbiker]

I really like the idea of the 390R and it looks amazing, but unfortunately for my lanky 6'4" it's just too small

Congrats with the bike. It looks small in your pics.

It's the first bike I've purchased without sitting on it, so who knows , I'm just on 6' and expect it to be a bit smaller than a Kove 450.

I may be taking offers on it after a weeks ownership if it doesn't fit .

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Thanks for the feedback on tyres @Apex and @JohnnyBoxer , I've gone with Mitas Enduro Trail XT+ as I quite liked them on my Tiger. Actually I loved the front and hated the rear but that was because I had to go for the 'Dakar' rear compound option on a 17 inch wheel. After researching, the Trackers aren't a high enough speed rating for the KTM (needs 'T' but Trackers are 'R' rated). The D606, MT21 seems a very popular combo, especially with the Himalayan gang.

Gratuitous pics below from the dealer, one of the things I love about the bike is it looks so slim low down, no more getting wedged in ruts (maybe) !

View attachment 440691View attachment 440692

Front brake pipe routing looks a bit suspect

Why haven’t they run it down the front of the fork and then to the plastic fork guard, to the front calliper?
Looks ripe for being ripped off on the first branch it encounters

 

[steadysteve]

I really like the idea of the 390R and it looks amazing, but unfortunately for my lanky 6'4" it's just too small

You’d be better with a 690 enduro r if you’re looking for that type of bike.
The 690 is a taller bike, physically bigger….not to mention c.25kg lighter than the 390 and packing 30hp more than the 390.

 

[Apex]

You’d be better with a 690 enduro r if you’re looking for that type of bike.
The 690 is a taller bike, physically bigger….not to mention c.25kg lighter than the 390 and packing 30hp more than the 390.

Have to say the new 690 looks nice. But to adventurise it costs a packet.

The Honda Rally has 24(?) HP - very little. Yet it just gets the job done. Never once got stuck and full throttling a low power bike is great fun. This KTM will have more than enough power to adventure/green lane. The 690 power is, in my view, excessive. If you're a grade A rider and can tame it enough to make it fun then fine. But most of us aren't grade A's. So that much power is received nervously because a blip of the throttle on a steep climb will see you loop the bike or, in my experience off-roading the 790, just spinning up the rear with little progress. There's an argument for more AND less power. But I can guarantee that more fun will be had on a lower power bike.

 

[steadysteve]

Have to say the new 690 looks nice. But to adventurise it costs a packet.

The Honda Rally has 24(?) HP - very little. Yet it just gets the job done. Never once got stuck and full throttling a low power bike is great fun. This KTM will have more than enough power to adventure/green lane. The 690 power is, in my view, excessive. If you're a grade A rider and can tame it enough to make it fun then fine. But most of us aren't grade A's. So that much power is received nervously because a blip of the throttle on a steep climb will see you loop the bike or, in my experience off-roading the 790, just spinning up the rear with little progress. There's an argument for more AND less power. But I can guarantee that more fun will be had on a lower power bike.

Agreed.
I’m not suggesting you need the extra power, although it is nice on long road sections ( to get to the trails , or when on a tour) or when luggaged up.
The 390 seems like a completely missed opportunity. If they can make the 690 at 147kg then the 390 should be less than that- physically smaller, smaller engine etc.

 

[cookie]

You’d be better with a 690 enduro r if you’re looking for that type of bike.
The 690 is a taller bike, physically bigger….not to mention c.25kg lighter than the 390 and packing 30hp more than the 390.

...and they work well on Trackers

 

[Apex]

Agreed.
I’m not suggesting you need the extra power, although it is nice on long road sections ( to get to the trails , or when on a tour) or when luggaged up.
The 390 seems like a completely missed opportunity. If they can make the 690 at 147kg then the 390 should be less than that- physically smaller, smaller engine etc.

Agreed. Lighter is usually better. Maybe its all the extra stuff they put on these days. Suspect the frame is much heavier than the 690 to start with, but that's a good thing given people will load the 390 to death. It has the front fairing, which is a crazy expensive addition to a 690. Where the 690 will always win is the low down chuggability. But I've been used to 24hp so I'm sure the 390 will seem fine. Reviews say it needs revving to get anything out of it. I bet there will be some mods to help this in the not too distant.

 

[Apex]

...and they work well on Trackers

Are you on drugs?

 

[cookie]

Are you on drugs?

No, but I am on a 701 on Trackers.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

No, but I am on a 701 on Trackers.

Trackers are great in 690/701 or a 350 EXC-F or drz 400

 

[Apex]

Trackers are great in 690/701 or a 350 EXC-F or drz 400

Everyone is on drugs in here! I've been to rehab myself and no plans to re-inject with nasty products.

 

[Apex]

My bike will be ready for Friday. Minus cruise control - why wouldn't you? How else will I be able to stand up and have a pee without stopping?