KTM Adventure 390
Discussion
Evening all, I have a new KTM Superduke 1290 which I love but have been toying with getting a second bike that I can ride when the weather is less than ideal. Yes I know the Superduke would be fine for the job but for me it is a fun bike for when the weather is warmer. So, I have been considering a KTM 390 Adventure as one option, but what are the 400 singles like real world? On paper they make reasonable power, but does anyone have any experience with something of this size? I have also looked at things such as a Honda Transalp 700, older BMW GS, so you can see that I am open to all suggestions. Thank you!
The reviews I have read all are really good and say it will cruise at 70-80 which is ideal really. Had forgotten about the Husqvarna, quite like those too. Would really love a Fantic Caballero 500 but they are too nice and shiny for a bike that will be used when the weather is not so good.
I’ve ridden one.
Actually quite a good bike. Engine isn’t ‘fast’ but really not slow. It has plenty of pep, quite revvy and exciting for what it is. Suspension is genuinely miles better than most A2 bikes, possibly a little firm for rough roads but composed in a way that few small bikes are.
Much better equipped than many too, the TFT is excellent and the quickshifter works well. Only downsides for me were it felt more like a re-modelled Duke 390 in terms of seating and size, and the standing position isn’t great.
I very nearly bought one, but decided on the 690 in the end.
Actually quite a good bike. Engine isn’t ‘fast’ but really not slow. It has plenty of pep, quite revvy and exciting for what it is. Suspension is genuinely miles better than most A2 bikes, possibly a little firm for rough roads but composed in a way that few small bikes are.
Much better equipped than many too, the TFT is excellent and the quickshifter works well. Only downsides for me were it felt more like a re-modelled Duke 390 in terms of seating and size, and the standing position isn’t great.
I very nearly bought one, but decided on the 690 in the end.
TT1138 said:
I’ve ridden one.
Actually quite a good bike. Engine isn’t ‘fast’ but really not slow. It has plenty of pep, quite revvy and exciting for what it is. Suspension is genuinely miles better than most A2 bikes, possibly a little firm for rough roads but composed in a way that few small bikes are.
Much better equipped than many too, the TFT is excellent and the quickshifter works well. Only downsides for me were it felt more like a re-modelled Duke 390 in terms of seating and size, and the standing position isn’t great.
I very nearly bought one, but decided on the 690 in the end.
That is good to hear, real world experience is key. I will test ride one when the weather is slightly drier. I would love a 790 or 890 Adventure but don't want or need to spend that much. I have also considered a used 690 Duke as they are similar money to the 390 Adventure, but quite like the light off road appeal of the Adventure.Actually quite a good bike. Engine isn’t ‘fast’ but really not slow. It has plenty of pep, quite revvy and exciting for what it is. Suspension is genuinely miles better than most A2 bikes, possibly a little firm for rough roads but composed in a way that few small bikes are.
Much better equipped than many too, the TFT is excellent and the quickshifter works well. Only downsides for me were it felt more like a re-modelled Duke 390 in terms of seating and size, and the standing position isn’t great.
I very nearly bought one, but decided on the 690 in the end.
My 2p worth:
I've owned a 690r enduro, SMC R, & also a Duke 690.
I loved the big single engine, but didn't like all the niggles. 2 of them guzzled oil, one had a clutch hydraulic pipe failure. The SMC had clutch slave cylinder failure. All of them suffered from riding in winter. Fogged up displays, crap coating on fasteners, rusty foot pegs...... Sorry for being a bit negative, but I would definitely buy a Japanese bike for winter use! CRF or similar???
I've owned a 690r enduro, SMC R, & also a Duke 690.
I loved the big single engine, but didn't like all the niggles. 2 of them guzzled oil, one had a clutch hydraulic pipe failure. The SMC had clutch slave cylinder failure. All of them suffered from riding in winter. Fogged up displays, crap coating on fasteners, rusty foot pegs...... Sorry for being a bit negative, but I would definitely buy a Japanese bike for winter use! CRF or similar???
This is my worry with a 390, is it going to be too slow hence looking at larger capacity adventure bikes. Off road isn't really going to get a look in but something that will tackle the odd gravel fire road would be good. The other contender was the Triumph Tiger 800 and BMW GS 700. I really am undecided on what to go for as you can tell!
robinh73 said:
This is my worry with a 390, is it going to be too slow hence looking at larger capacity adventure bikes. Off road isn't really going to get a look in but something that will tackle the odd gravel fire road would be good. The other contender was the Triumph Tiger 800 and BMW GS 700. I really am undecided on what to go for as you can tell!
I didn’t think the 390 was slow at all (for what it was), and I’m coming from a very similar ‘main bike’ place as you, a 1290 SA-R. Because the suspension on the 390 is miles better than most cheaper bikes you can hustle along with a decent pace as it doesn’t get anywhere near so unsettled. I’ve also owned a Tiger 800XC so can comment on that too. Brilliant bike, but comes with ‘big bike’ costs and a lot more weight. I guess it depends on what you’re after.
I haven't ridden the adventure 390 but I've ridden my Mr's RC390 a fair bit and as a result bought myself one. I f
king love the bike/engine if I'm being honest, I spent months looking at them, but I bought a 790 as I thought to myself 'nah its going to be too slow, I'll get bored of it' within a month I'd bought the RC as well. I wouldn't ride it as my only bike but you have a 1290 sat in the garage, so no worry there.
I'm a 600 rider at heart so I love pinning it to the redline. With the wee RC you can do that everywhere and not worry about your licence. It will feel fairly pedestrian to your 1290, but it will corner at the same speed, it very much becomes all about momentum. If you do go for it, I'd spec the quickshifter. Quite a few times I've reached max revs on a corner, and nearly nutted the windscreen being used to bikes with more power, a Q/S smooths out this moment of rider ineptness.
The top speed I've had out of them is 104-106 mph, I think your around the 5 second mark for 0-60 mph. Most things will smoke you with little effort, but its fun trying to keep litre bikes in range for as long as possible.
I'm looking at using the RC for trips out with the O/H or during the week, for when I can't be arsed riding an hour to get to decent roads because its fun pretty much anywhere, even in town. It'll get left in the garage on a sunny Sunday that's for sure though. But great for getting a pint of milk.
Have you considered the Duke if your really not going to be off roading it.
king love the bike/engine if I'm being honest, I spent months looking at them, but I bought a 790 as I thought to myself 'nah its going to be too slow, I'll get bored of it' within a month I'd bought the RC as well. I wouldn't ride it as my only bike but you have a 1290 sat in the garage, so no worry there. I'm a 600 rider at heart so I love pinning it to the redline. With the wee RC you can do that everywhere and not worry about your licence. It will feel fairly pedestrian to your 1290, but it will corner at the same speed, it very much becomes all about momentum. If you do go for it, I'd spec the quickshifter. Quite a few times I've reached max revs on a corner, and nearly nutted the windscreen being used to bikes with more power, a Q/S smooths out this moment of rider ineptness.
The top speed I've had out of them is 104-106 mph, I think your around the 5 second mark for 0-60 mph. Most things will smoke you with little effort, but its fun trying to keep litre bikes in range for as long as possible.
I'm looking at using the RC for trips out with the O/H or during the week, for when I can't be arsed riding an hour to get to decent roads because its fun pretty much anywhere, even in town. It'll get left in the garage on a sunny Sunday that's for sure though. But great for getting a pint of milk.
Have you considered the Duke if your really not going to be off roading it.
I guess I am looking for something that is different to the 1290, I know that quite a lot of stuff is, which is why something such as the 390 Adventure appeals. Nice and light, capable and fun. I have considered the 690 Duke as these are going for similar money to the Adventure 390. My local KTM dealer has both in stock so will give them both a go and see what is what I guess.
I've got a 390 Adventure with 8000 miles on that's part of a fleet of smaller adventure bikes for people to ride back to back.
It's been a reliable bike. Most people like it.
Personally I think it's a quick bike, certainly on the A and B roads. Good suspension. Comfortable seating. It'll sit at 85mph on the motorway if you need to. Had riders tour Spain and Italy on the them and do the Stella Alpina.
I think you'll probably end up enjoying riding it more than the 1290 because you can actually make use of all its got. And prices for 2nd hand bikes have dropped quite a bit recently. They were also doing good deals on the last of the 2023 bikes; about £5500 I think, vs £6600 for the unchanged 2024 bike.
I'd personally give one a go.
Otherwise the new Triumph 400X looks to offer very similar performance and built by the same people. Or the new Himalayan 452 which surprisingly going by the India reviews matches the 390 for performance but has more touring capability and hopefully better geometry for the trails than the KTM.
It's been a reliable bike. Most people like it.
Personally I think it's a quick bike, certainly on the A and B roads. Good suspension. Comfortable seating. It'll sit at 85mph on the motorway if you need to. Had riders tour Spain and Italy on the them and do the Stella Alpina.
I think you'll probably end up enjoying riding it more than the 1290 because you can actually make use of all its got. And prices for 2nd hand bikes have dropped quite a bit recently. They were also doing good deals on the last of the 2023 bikes; about £5500 I think, vs £6600 for the unchanged 2024 bike.
I'd personally give one a go.
Otherwise the new Triumph 400X looks to offer very similar performance and built by the same people. Or the new Himalayan 452 which surprisingly going by the India reviews matches the 390 for performance but has more touring capability and hopefully better geometry for the trails than the KTM.
Edited by jumpingloci on Tuesday 9th January 08:26
Edited by jumpingloci on Tuesday 9th January 08:29
jumpingloci said:
I've got a 390 Adventure with 8000 miles on that's part of a fleet of smaller adventure bikes for people to ride back to back.
It's been a reliable bike. Most people like it.
Personally I think it's a quick bike, certainly on the A and B roads. Good suspension. Comfortable seating. It'll sit at 85mph on the motorway if you need to. Had riders tour Spain and Italy on the them and do the Stella Alpina.
I think you'll probably end up enjoying riding it more than the 1290 because you can actually make use of all its got. And prices for 2nd hand bikes have dropped quite a bit recently. They were also doing good deals on the last of the 2023 bikes; about £5500 I think, vs £6600 for the unchanged 2024 bike.
I'd personally give one a go.
Otherwise the new Triumph 400X looks to offer very similar performance and built by the same people. Or the new Himalayan 452 which surprisingly going by the India reviews matches the 390 for performance but has more touring capability and hopefully better geometry for the trails than the KTM.
If this has been posted by the person I think it has, then it’s probably the most sound advice given on here so far. It's been a reliable bike. Most people like it.
Personally I think it's a quick bike, certainly on the A and B roads. Good suspension. Comfortable seating. It'll sit at 85mph on the motorway if you need to. Had riders tour Spain and Italy on the them and do the Stella Alpina.
I think you'll probably end up enjoying riding it more than the 1290 because you can actually make use of all its got. And prices for 2nd hand bikes have dropped quite a bit recently. They were also doing good deals on the last of the 2023 bikes; about £5500 I think, vs £6600 for the unchanged 2024 bike.
I'd personally give one a go.
Otherwise the new Triumph 400X looks to offer very similar performance and built by the same people. Or the new Himalayan 452 which surprisingly going by the India reviews matches the 390 for performance but has more touring capability and hopefully better geometry for the trails than the KTM.
Edited by jumpingloci on Tuesday 9th January 08:26
Edited by jumpingloci on Tuesday 9th January 08:29
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