5 Very Important Things About The Upcoming KTM 390 Adventure

The bike will likely be here in as many as three variants! 

• And if our sources are right, all variants will actually have adjustable suspension anyway
• Powering the bike will be the new 399cc liquid-cooled engine that we’ve seen on the new KTM 390 Duke
• We feel that the bike will come in all-wheel configurations - 17, 19, and 21-inch wheels 

Following the recent debut of the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, anticipation mounts with sightings of the 2024 KTM 390 Adventure, spotted not once but twice in India! Enthusiasts tracking the dynamic 400-500cc adventure bike category can expect intensified competition. Delve into five essential insights about the upcoming 2024 KTM 390 Adventure to stay ahead of the curve:

2024 KTM 390 Adventure: Design

Where the 2024 KTM 390 Adventure really, really shines out in our opinion, is its design. While its direct rival, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is a more classically designed, good looking adventure bike, the KTM 390 Adventure promises to be quite different in that aspect. The 2024 KTM 390 Adventure looks brash, aggressive and very out there, exactly what KTM bikes are like, especially once they don the brand’s trademark colourway: dark orange.

That said, it is not as polarising as something like the new KTM 390 Duke. With a big beak up front and long travel suspension at both ends, the bike does look every bit like an adventure bike that is ready to take on all the terrains you throw at it. The best part though, is that it looks more muscular than before and hence a lot in sync with the bigger KTM Adventures, like the 890 Adventure R and the 1290 Adventure R. Those looking for substance in their bikes will definitely love this. 

2024 KTM 390 Adventure: Engine

The 2024 KTM 390 Adventure will be powered by the same 399cc engine that we’ve seen on the new KTM 390 Duke and it’s one hell of a powerplant. KTM has not just added superficial enhancements to their latest motorcycle; significant changes have been made to its core components, particularly its engine. The most notable alteration is the increase in displacement from 373cc to 399cc, resulting in a boost in power and torque, now at 46hp and 39Nm respectively, an increase of 2.5hp and 2Nm. These enhancements have also led to earlier arrival of peak figures, enhancing the bike's overall performance accessibility.

The engine continues to deliver an exhilarating experience, particularly from 6,000rpm onwards, with a strong rush. Despite not hitting the rev limiter as aggressively as before, the bike maintains good pull until 9,500rpm. Furthermore, while it remains unsuitable for city riding, it now exhibits greater flexibility and less fussiness, allowing for cleaner pulls even at under 2,000rpm, albeit with some residual protest.

However, the engine's nature still leans towards tolerating low speeds rather than excelling at them, consistently encouraging riders to accelerate. Vibrations, particularly noticeable in the 3,000-5,000rpm range, remain a characteristic of this high-performance single-cylinder engine. Although not severe, they detract somewhat from the overall riding experience. Nonetheless, KTM has made commendable efforts to mitigate these vibrations, resulting in a relatively smooth engine performance for the most part.

2024 KTM 390 Adventure: Features

Another thing that the 390 Adventure will likely borrow from the Duke is the new console. The new KTM features a Bluetooth-equipped 5-inch TFT display, distinguished by its reduced bezels and updated graphics. Riders can choose from three riding modes: Rain for lower output, while Street and Track provide full output with distinct screen layouts. 

The Track mode additionally offers launch control, holding revs at 7,000rpm. However, some find this feature gimmicky as it can cause the bike to bog down upon releasing the clutch, with quicker launches achievable without it.

Among the more practical additions is traction control, a newcomer to the Duke series despite its presence in the RC and Adventure models for some time. The system intervenes with a gentle touch when needed, though it's not as refined as the one found in the new Apache RTR 310. Additionally, the new Duke boasts adjustable suspension at both ends, a standard feature unlike the RTR.

Continuing from previous models are cornering ABS, Bluetooth functions including turn-by-turn navigation, controls for phone calls and music playback, and the bi-directional quickshifter. While the quickshifter operates smoother and better than before, it still performs optimally above 4,000rpm, exhibiting some lurchiness and jerkiness at lower speeds.

2024 KTM 390 Adventure: Suspension, tyres & brakes

The suspension will be taken care of by the same inverted fork and monoshock as the one on the current 390 Adventure. That said, it is likely that the bike will get adjustable suspension throughout its variants. And talking about variants, we think the bike will be available in 3 variants. First will be the 390 Adventure supermoto with 17-inch wheels. Next will be the standard bike with a 19-inch front wheel and finally, it will be the rally version boasting of a 21-inch front wheel.  

2024 KTM 390 Adventure: Expected Launch, Price and Rivals

The 2024 KTM 390 Adventure could be priced around the Rs 3.80 lakh mark (ex-showroom) and rivals for it include the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the upcoming Hero XPulse 400.