2025 KTM 390 Adventure

[JohnnyBoxer]

I think the low exhaust is a great idea personally. There's lots of ground clearance anyway and it just makes fitting rack bags so much less hassle. I don't plan on doing any major river crossings so it'll be fine for me. The bit I don't like is the location of the O2 sensor. Looks very vulnerable until a decent bash plate gets fitted.

Looking over the 390R enduro bike yesterday it didn’t impress me much at all @ £5800 and then £6800 for the Adv version (that’s a lot for a screen set up)
The rear brake calliper arrangement was massive and bigger than my size 11
I think Honda have a better bike in the CRF 300L
The 690 Enduro was more power and is lighter than the 390 Enduro R
KTM have just tried to copy Honda CRF market and missed

 

[Apex]

Looking over the 390R enduro bike yesterday it didn’t impress me much at all @ £5800 and then £6800 for the Adv version (that’s a lot for a screen set up)
The rear brake calliper arrangement was massive and bigger than my size 11
I think Honda have a better bike in the CRF 300L
The 690 Enduro was more power and is lighter than the 390 Enduro R
KTM have just tried to copy Honda CRF market and missed

Of course they've tried to copy it. Why wouldn't they? What did you expect....that they sit there and not move with the market demand?

The CRF's needed suspension upgrades. You could get cheap rubbish, but I went for the K-Tech @£1700! So the bike cost £8k. The KTM won't need suspension. Wasn't the CRF Rally more expensive than the L, for a tall screen? We've had the 690 power debate already and if that much power suits you then get one. But then you'll need to spend a ton of cash for a ADV screen setup on top of more cash to purchase and then you won't have as much fun riding it. You choose your chocolate don't you. And, I don't think you're in a position to judge a bike by tyre kicking a dealer showroom bike. Let's wait and see. I like the Honda a lot and despite it being far from perfect it gets the job done once you've splashed some cash on it. Inevitably this KTM is going to be a better off-road machine, but is it as all round enjoyable as the Honda? Time and new tyres will tell.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Of course they've tried to copy it. Why wouldn't they? What did you expect....that they sit there and not move with the market demand?

The CRF's needed suspension upgrades. You could get cheap rubbish, but I went for the K-Tech @£1700! So the bike cost £8k. The KTM won't need suspension. Wasn't the CRF Rally more expensive than the L, for a tall screen? We've had the 690 power debate already and if that much power suits you then get one. But then you'll need to spend a ton of cash for a ADV screen setup on top of more cash to purchase and then you won't have as much fun riding it. You choose your chocolate don't you. And, I don't think you're in a position to judge a bike by tyre kicking a dealer showroom bike. Let's wait and see. I like the Honda a lot and despite it being far from perfect it gets the job done once you've splashed some cash on it. Inevitably this KTM is going to be a better off-road machine, but is it as all round enjoyable as the Honda? Time and new tyres will tell.

Why’s that then?
Because it says WP on the forks and shock
Honda CRF 300 L says Showa-doesn’t mean it is premium
But I bet the 390 suspension is definitely budget from WP - the Xplor on the EXC enduro series was, despite the stickers on the outside
Just stating what I observed that was all
No need to get so touchy
I had never seen a 390 before and had a good look over it
Salesman did offer me a test ride though
I might pop back, but don’t think the bike interests me and KTM’s current plight is off putting too
The Chinese offerings from Kove/CF Moto and Voge certainly look better designed and executed/finished than this Indian KTM offering

 

[Apex]

Why’s that then?
Because it says WP on the forks and shock
Honda CRF 300 L says Showa-doesn’t mean it is premium
But I bet the 390 suspension is definitely budget from WP - the Xplor on the EXC enduro series was, despite the stickers on the outside
Just stating what I observed that was all
No need to get so touchy
I had never seen a 390 before and had a good look over it
Salesman did offer me a test ride though
I might pop back, but don’t think the bike interests me and KTM’s current plight is off putting too
The Chinese offerings from Kove/CF Moto and Voge certainly look better designed and executed/finished than this Indian KTM offering

Are you saying that there's an issue with build quality? I've had a very good look at the 390 and I can tell you it's build quality is next level compared to the Honda. We need a hybrid. A KTM with a Honda engine. Go to it man.

 

[MikeS]

No need to get so touchy

If he was a bit touchy it wouldn't be a great surprise JB, you have pretty much verbally trashed the bike he has just taken delivery of.

Anyway, I agree with a lot of what you say on here but in this case I think your wrong.

I am interested in one these bikes whereas I have no interest in a KTM 690.
They appeal to a different audience. I am looking for a fairly simple basic bike at a sensible price, one that my sons can ride on an A2 license, a CRF300L is also a possibility.

They are not really aimed at an experienced off road rider like yourself.

I think they will sell lots of them.

 

[Apex]

If he was a bit touchy it wouldn't be a great surprise JB, you have pretty much verbally trashed the bike he has just taken delivery of.

Not at all. Just good banter I'm far to old to worry about what other people think about a bike I've just bought. These chats are healthy though because they give a wide range of views for people to consider. But we all know JohnnyBoxer is wrong and I'm right.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Are you saying that there's an issue with build quality? I've had a very good look at the 390 and I can tell you it's build quality is next level compared to the Honda. We need a hybrid. A KTM with a Honda engine. Go to it man.

Maybe you're right
Maybe I got it wrong and I will be proven incorrect, enjoy it and look forward to your musings on the 390R

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

If he was a bit touchy it wouldn't be a great surprise JB, you have pretty much verbally trashed the bike he has just taken delivery of.

Anyway, I agree with a lot of what you say on here but in this case I think your wrong.

I am interested in one these bikes whereas I have no interest in a KTM 690.
They appeal to a different audience. I am looking for a fairly simple basic bike at a sensible price, one that my sons can ride on an A2 license, a CRF300L is also a possibility.

They are not really aimed at an experienced off road rider like yourself.

I think they will sell lots of them.

Sorry

Maybe I got it wrong and was expecting a bit more that was all

Hope it's a great success

 

[Apex]

First on/off roading yesterday.

Genuinely, I haven't had a smile beam like that on a bike for ages. The bike is great fun! The suspension is fantastic and I would say its quite a bit better than the £1700 I spent on K-Tech stuff for the Honda. Whilst its not going to be a wheelie monster you can pop the front over pot holes and it'll jump off ramps when you ask it to, which makes the whole thing feel playful. As many have said already on reviews it feels light, like a big dirt bike rather than a small adv bike. I adjusted the clutch straight away. The early bite point was just too sensitive and I suspect that's why some have complained about stalling. It does stall relatively easily, but it feels like its because the motor lacks inertia - maybe some clutch weights or whatever might help that. The power - it could use a little more low down grunt to tractor, but she flies when you give it the beans. I would say it's perfect for off-road on-road combo, enough but not intimidating. No problems with the side stand cutting out the motor. I think the only thing I don't like are the tyres....but we knew that. They still got me everywhere but when you hit the mud or slippery trails you tense up wondering when its gonna let go. I forgot my ear plugs, but didn't need them. The bike is nice and quiet which I prefer these days. Less tiring.

A fun machine. They'll sell bucket loads of them. There's a low mileage Honda 300 Rally hitting the sales section.

 

[Apex]

 

[Apex]

Couple of extra things I forgot.

I got the quickshifter and cruise control option. There's a wait for the CC, but the quickshifter is fantastic. Like butter. Long days will be easier. Not essential by any means but my advice to buyers is to just get it. If they ever make a Rekluse clutch for it I have a feeling it would be pretty awesome. You'd never stall it and butter gear changes.

Vibes - at 60mph - Zilch. 80mph she vibes a bit, which is fair enough. Lower speeds you don't really notice but they're there. I didn't anyway. I fitted some of these to the Honda and they just work:


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16479804...1008053327&itmmeta=01K4YB40D7WW7D3XY49N702900

I'll get some of these as well:
https://www.dirtbikexpress.co.uk/products/xtrig-oem-phds-rubber-bar-mount-kit

Interestingly, my riding mate had a go. I asked him to guess the weight, his bike is 100kg. His guess was 120kg! It's not anywhere near that, but it shows you how the bike feels.

 

[Eastmidsbiker]

Finally got mine last thing yesterday, and have a couple of hundred miles on it now. I echo everything @Apex has said, and it coped really well with the byways I tried today. I even did one byway that I wouldnt have normally done solo on the Tiger and it was a breeze. It seems much more composed over whoops. I know its not KTM's top flight suspension, but it works really well for me.

There are some negatives, but I understand that the nature of the bike and they don't detract from it, I'm happy to accept it for what it is rather than try and fix them (apart from tyres) :

• Throttle is fluffy at low revs, probably thanks to Euro5+
• Bottom end is soft, and can't use the top end until its run in
• Some vibes at 70+ mph but nothing terrible. Wait for electric motorcycles and we will start engineering vibrations in.
• Tyres are good on road, but OK off road and on standard pressures. I have a new set to go on of Mitas Enduro Trail XT+'s.
• It's quite compacts/short so might not be ideal for chunky monkeys. I need to adjust the bars (both rotate and push forward) as the standing position seemed a bit alien at the start. I will not be putting bar risers on and there is a good amount of adjustment provided by KTM (the bars can be installed in three different positions fore and aft and rotating the bar clamps will also push the bars further away).
• The fuel gauge goes from 50miles to '---' , scared the crap out of me as I was a few miles away from fuel.
• Availability - sold out for this years allocation.

The good stuff :

• Its quiet, love it !
• Off-Road mode - most aggressive throttle, the other modes are redundant as far as I am concerned, it turns of rear ABS but that just means you can do silly skids.
• Tech - really easy to connect phone and helmet so I can have my music playing and control it from the dash.
• Screen - What a fabulous design, no buffeting and works fine at all speeds. I will headbutt it at some point though.
• Quickshift is awesome (although I have a glitch between 4th and 5th that needs sorting, so will mention that on the first service).
• The lightness of the bike, it gives so much confidence off-road and makes it easer to change ruts.
• The dealer is a couple of miles away from me (Judd Racing).

Things I need to sort (as always on a new bike) :

• Bashplate
• Luggage (deciding between a rackless system or soft panniers)
• Cruise control
• Heated grips
• New matching helmet

I'm encouraged that this might be 'my' unicorn bike, although I have allocated a £3K budget to buy an older bike for 2-up and touring as you can get some pretty amazing value bikes at the moment.

 

[steve hughes]

Happy new bikes Apex and Eastmidlandsbiker. I had a lowly 2022 Duke 390, the engine was a peach. They just seem to have got better and better.

 

[Berin]

It should be a winner, but I do struggle to understand how new bikes are so heavy.

My HP2, a 1200cc off road 110hp bike, weighs 187kg wet no fuel.

My 60 odd hp 690R, (2010) weighs 141kg wet no fuel, 10kg lighter than the current 690r, though I’ve added big tanks, a Nomad adv tower and bibs and bobs to make it a travel bike but the fairing is light and I probably saved 5kg ditching the standard exhaust

 

[steadysteve]

It should be a winner, but I do struggle to understand how new bikes are so heavy.

My HP2, a 1200cc off road 110hp bike, weighs 187kg wet no fuel.

My 60 odd hp 690R, (2010) weighs 141kg wet no fuel, 10kg lighter than the current 690r, though I’ve added big tanks, a Nomad adv tower and bibs and bobs to make it a travel bike but the fairing is light and I probably saved 5kg ditching the standard exhaust

There was a theory that it’s connected to the power to weight ratios for new riders. The headline horsepower figure attracts some punters but the manufacturer has to make it comply with the power/weight ratios for new riders so they build in unnecessary weight.. The BMW 450GS is the same- unnecessarily heavy.
A massive missed opportunity from KTM in my opinion. If they can make a 690 at 150 kg then the 390 should be max 135kg when the smaller engine and smaller physical size is factored in.

 

[Dirty Ming]

I too think they've missed a trick, here. Not everyone in the market for a trail/adventure styled bike wants or can cope with the relatively heavy weight, just so it ticks some boxes of "must haves".
I'd like a second (now third) bike, and I did have use of my wife's CB300R. If KTM had made a trail styled bike with the 390 engine but sub 150kg I'd have seriously considered it. I don't need massive ground clearance, long travel suspension, 26 different riding modes and traction control on a 40bhp bike. A lightweight, lowish seat height bike with the right wheel set and decent tyres would arguably be more useful than what they've brought to market. I love the Fantic Caballero 500 but couldn't get on with the heavy clutch. The one on my 790 Duke was super light and if the 390 version was similar, as it was on the older 390 Duke I had for a day, it'd be top of my list.
Just seen Nathan's first ride on his 390Enduro and the fuelling is horrendous. Probably something all Euro5+ bikes will have so I'll be looking elsewhere

 

[Apex]

I too think they've missed a trick, here. Not everyone in the market for a trail/adventure styled bike wants or can cope with the relatively heavy weight, just so it ticks some boxes of "must haves".
I'd like a second (now third) bike, and I did have use of my wife's CB300R. If KTM had made a trail styled bike with the 390 engine but sub 150kg I'd have seriously considered it. I don't need massive ground clearance, long travel suspension, 26 different riding modes and traction control on a 40bhp bike. A lightweight, lowish seat height bike with the right wheel set and decent tyres would arguably be more useful than what they've brought to market. I love the Fantic Caballero 500 but couldn't get on with the heavy clutch. The one on my 790 Duke was super light and if the 390 version was similar, as it was on the older 390 Duke I had for a day, it'd be top of my list.
Just seen Nathan's first ride on his 390Enduro and the fuelling is horrendous. Probably something all Euro5+ bikes will have so I'll be looking elsewhere

Mate....Much of what you've said is nonsense. Go and ride one, if you can find one, then comment. Dear me.

 

[Berin]

There’s undoubtedly a whole load of stuff that’s absolutely not needed, but I think are likely a result of the legislation. All of the ride by wire stuff, that brings with it the pointless riding modes, is required, so a simple throttle cable is no longer possible. Likewise the requirement for ABS, bigger catalysts, less noise and general emissions and safety stuff is legislated.

Look at the 10kg weight difference between my old 690 and the new one, which has ABS, and I think ride by wire with modes and stuff. After picking it up 5 times I think that 10kg is going to matter!

Now if you want all of that, fine, but there’s no delete option on the order form!

No detraction from the 390, I’m sure it’s a great bike, but wet it’s 15kg heavier than the 690.

 

[Nin]

^^ that. I’m off along the Spanish TET with three mates next year - two have just got 390Rs.

I’ll be on my 25 yr old 640 Adventure - More power, more fuel, lighter, simpler. But of course, much older tech so less able to deal with altitude etc.

One of us will be on an x750ADV

We shall see ….

 

[Apex]

^^ that. I’m off along the Spanish TET with three mates next year - two have just got 390Rs.

I’ll be on my 25 yr old 640 Adventure - More power, more fuel, lighter, simpler. But of course, much older tech so less able to deal with altitude etc.

One of us will be on an x750ADV

We shall see ….

Very interested to see how the XADV gets on with that. Imagine it'll get wrecked a bit, which'll kill the resale £