Motorcycle specifications KTM390 Adventure R 2025 Waves of earth

Faced with the huge Super Adventure models and seeking a little more sunshine in the shadow of the 890, the 390 Adventure SW was able to defend itself with a jovial, playful engine, complemented by a compact, gentle trail silhouette.
But now KTM has let it soak in a big tub of testosterone, with intravenous images of Dakar, to make it a much more expressive machine.

The new 390 Adventure R turns a new page. Gone are the days of the little grasshopper in the bush. Make way for a rally-raid offspring! Its enduro front mudguard, 1390 Super Adv-inspired headlamp, wraparound shoulders and, above all, large windscreen herald a whole new look and a whole new set of prerogatives. A real teenager who thinks she's Nicolas Hulot.

The need for a breath of fresh air

With its high-mounted 5" color TFT screen, large hand guards, engine cowling and Mitas Enduro Trail E07+ tires in 21" and 18" sizes, it looks ready to camp on the edge of the desert. Its WP Apex suspension is ready to take on any rough terrain. The 43mm upside-down forks allow you to adjust compression and rebound, while the rear shock absorber offers adjustable preload and rebound. As an adventurous rider ready to take on complicated trails, the Katoche has 272 mm of ground clearance (more than an 890 Aventure R), thanks in large part to 230 mm of suspension travel, front and rear. Advantage: crossing possibilities are there / Problem: it takes the seat to 870 mm high.

Compared to the previous 390 Adventure SW, the newcomer has a very different frame. It's common to virtually the entire 390 family(Duke, SMC R, Enduro R), but stands out with a different steering angle and stiffness profile, more suited to off-road riding. Its aluminum swingarm is also shared with the supermotard and enduro models. As are the brakes. Bybre, with a 2-piston front caliper biting 320 mm. The rear relies on its single piston to calm the 240 mm disc.

The engine also features a single piston. This LC4c didn't wait for the Adventure to revamp its innards. The Duke led the way with its 45 horsepower, motivated since 2024 by a new cylinder head and optimized gearbox. In the dust-toothed trail bike, it's positioned to improve ground clearance. As a result, the airbox changes shape.

Small heart, big ego

Distributed torque reaches 4.1 mkg. This is in keeping with the engine's displacement, and may prove amusing, even a little teasing, but not enough to uproot a sleeping mystery boar on its side. However, the 390 Adventure R feels that a good dose of electronics should be there to supervise it; like everything else on the bike, in fact. But that doesn 't mean you can't blow up a few guardrails to give off-roading its rightful place. That's why Cornering ABS has an Offroad mode, to give the rear wheel a break. Other road companions include three riding modes (Street / Rain / Offroad), a shifter, angle-sensitive traction control, and smartphone connectivity to manage calls, music and turn-by-turn navigation.

You'll be able to test it for quite a while: The fuel tank holds 14.5 liters of fuel. The manufacturer claims a range of 400 km. Enough to get you through many a stage in the pampas.
On the other hand, for a 400, the Adventure R isn't exactly light. 165 kilos on the scales, before refueling. To which must be added a good 10 kilos of benzine. That's still more than adequate for a machine in the expedition segment, clods of earth and potatoes by the fire, but... There's still a lot of weight.
And the price. Admittedly, the machine comes with a substantial array of equipment and interesting capacities. But with a cheque for almost 8,000 euros, customers will have to be motivated.

The little Adventure is also thinking of enthusiasts of more on-road models. That's why it's available in an X version, with stick wheels, less advanced suspension, less electronics and a lighter price tag.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos