Motorcycle specifications KTM390 Adventure 2020 Sand seed

In the old days, the trail bike was the machine that almost everyone started out with. An XT, a DR, something cheap and not too powerful, that didn't mind taking a spill or going anywhere. The species has become rare, almost to the point of confidentiality, in favor of entry-level roadsters. Except that... The A2 license has taken root in the motorcycle landscape. The offer for young riders is getting denser. Smaller machines are popping up all over the place to boost the under-35kW bands. It's time for a 390 Adventure to venture into the sector.

So KTM is offering everything it needs around its 390 platform: a Duke roadster, an RC sports bike, and this Adventure trail bike. Enough to initiate intrepid youngsters and make them eager to move upmarket. At Mattighofen, you start out on the trails here, then progress to the 790, and finally to the 1290.
Well, we're not there yet. Let's take a look at what this bike promises, claims and announces.

Katoche is taking on a terrain he's already mastered: off-road (more or less off); in a displacement range where his Adventure bikes have never set wheels. An area already cleared by the BMW G 310 GS, Kawasaki Versys 300 and Suzuki 250 V-Strom. No fear for the Austrian, whose engine is the largest (373 cm3) and most powerful (43 hp at 9000 rpm). Equipped with 38 mm injection, double ACT, 4 valves and a balancer, it also benefits from an anti-dribble clutch and cooling optimized especially for the Adventure.
It's not overly powerful, so there's no need to think twice when opening the throttle. However, KTM plays it safe by adding traction control, which can be deactivated for the hardy.

it's not a big trail bike, yet it gets a surprising dose of electronics. What we've already mentioned, plus ABS with Offroad mode so you don't have to operate on the rear, a 5-inch color TFT screen that can be controlled from the handlebars, plus a shifter and smartphone pairing as options. Not bad for a machine of this calibre. It looks as if the company wants to go on the offensive.
This attack will start on the road, and then, without apprehension, distinguish itself on the dirt. With its 790 Adventure look, the 390 smells like a runaway. The front wheel has a few reservations, opting for a versatile 19-inch instead of the more committed 21-inch TT. Suspension is more purposeful, with 170 mm of travel at the front and 170 mm at the rear. Ground clearance is 200 mm. It's not yet an EXC, but it already offers some crossing possibilities and, above all, enough not to be afraid of the majority of forgotten roads and in-between paths. Especially since Continental TKC 70 tires boast a versatile profile. The cobblestones in the rubber won't shy away from hard and soft surfaces alike. The small drawback of its raised chassis is the consequent seat height. 855 mm is no mean feat. Fortunately, KTM has made a low seat available as an option.

The bubble on the 390 Adventure isn't very large. However, it can be adjusted (with a tool) to two different heights, providing a clear view when riding conditions are.... playful and messy. Adjustable settings are also found on the 43mm WP Apex inverted fork. Compression on the left-hand tube and rebound on the right. As is often the case with KTM models, we appreciate the small knobs for making adjustments without getting out screwdrivers and the like. The similarly-built monoshock also features two settings: rebound and preload. Between the two stands a tubular steel trellis frame very similar to that of the 390 Duke, where an extended swingarm is anchored. The bolt-on rear buckle is derived from that of the 450 Rally. The Adventure returns to its Duke origins for its braking, with a 320 mm disc fitted with a 4-piston Bybre caliper. The 230 mm rear disc will make do with a single piston.

My ex-father-in-law says that adventure is just down the road. Perhaps you'll have to go a little further to take advantage of the 390 Adventure's possibilities. How much further? Not to worry. The 14.5-liter fuel tank will keep you going. 400 km according to Katoche. Let's say we rev it up a bit, have a bit of off-road fun, and we should have a minimum of 300 km. In addition to its low fuel consumption, the trail's reduced size means that you can dare to make excursions into treacherous terrain, while minimizing the risks. If you have to lift its 172 kilos in the mud, it will be an effort relieved by a little technique, but nothing like the hassle of lifting a 250-kilo maxi-trail.

No one will complain about the return of accessible trails, with displacement and power well calibrated for young discoverers. As for price, it stings a little. Even though the KTM 390 Adventure is produced in India by Bajaj, like other moderately powered models from the Austrian brand, it's by no means a floor model. Underneath all its promise, this bike does open up the club of KTM adventurers.

M.B. - Manufacturer's photos