KTM 390 Adventure R: First Ride Review

The Visuals

At first glance, the KTM 390 Adventure R looks similar to the KTM 390 Adventure S. The same rally-bike-inspired design has been carried forward. But upon closer inspection, it is clear that the 390 Adventure R has a few things that allow it to stand apart.

Firstly, you will notice the taller stance, courtesy of the longer travel suspension. From the side, you will see the bolder 390 R graphics on the fairing, adding a distinct visual touch.

The fit and finish are decent, with no visible panel gaps or imperfections that detract from the motorcycle's premium nature. Similar to the other 390 models, KTM has gone with the same pigmented plastic panels.

These will ensure that there are no visible scratches in case the bike is dropped off-road or has a crash. However, many owners have reported discolouration over an extended period of time, so that is something you will have to live with after purchasing this motorcycle.

The Package

Powering the 390 Adventure R is the same 398.7cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine producing 45.3bhp and 39Nm. The performance remains the same compared to the 390 Adventure S.

But the underpinnings have seen the most changes, with a longer travel WP Apex inverted fork at the front and a WP monoshock at the rear, with 230mm travel at both ends. The bike also has a larger 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoke wheels setup, with tube-type tyres. These changes have also increased the bike’s ground clearance to a massive 272mm. The seat height is also higher than that of the 390 Adventure S and 390 Adventure X, coming to 880mm.

The feature set from the 390 Adventure S has been carried forward. You get the same TFT console, three riding modes, a cruise control system, a bi-directional quickshifter and switchable ABS.

The riding modes alter the level of throttle response, with rain being the mellowest, street being more balanced and off-road being the most aggressive. The modes can be customized, with traction control, quickshifter, and rear ABS turned on or off. But out of the three, the off-road mode goes further, giving riders the ability to alter the throttle response between street, off-road, and rain.

The Ride

Swing a leg over the bike, and the first thing that is immediately noticeable is the tall 880mm seat height. As someone who is 5’7, I can get one foot down with half a buttcheek out thanks to the narrow seat profile.

The tall seat height was something I thought would be a lot more intimidating. But while riding in the city, it wasn’t a major hindrance even when riding stop-and-go traffic. Where it became a problem was when riding off-road. Compared to the 390 Adventure S, I felt I had less control over the bike as I’m not able to plant my feet in tricky situations. But with enough practice, it is not difficult to get used to.

Off-road riding is synonymous with saddling, and the stand-up ergonomics of the 390 Adventure R feel natural. The handlebars are placed slightly lowered, but you still get a relatively relaxed and upright riding posture while seated. But when standing up, you will be put in a more aggressive attack position. The footpeg placement is also quite helpful, making it easier to grab the mid-section of the bike while standing up.

The 390 Adventure R has a kerb weight of 183kg, and despite its relatively taller stance, it doesn’t feel tippy when it's being moved around in the parking lot. This is also quite helpful when riding through slow-moving city traffic and technical trail sections. Although it is not a city bike, the 390 Adventure R is a really nice commuter.

What helps here is the plush suspension, which can handle all kinds of obstacles, bumps and undulations on our roads. However, once you start riding on the highway, it becomes clear that the front end is a bit too floaty. I started noticing this when I was riding at speeds above 130kmph on open stretches. Jacking up the rebound and compression damping helps mitigate this to a great extent, considering my 63 kg weight

For my highway and Ghat rides, I tend to use the stiffest settings for better stability at higher speeds and while cornering. Like the 390 Adventure S and X, the R is no slouch in the twisties and can keep up with road bikes. However, considering the more off-road biased tread pattern of the stock tyres, one needs to keep an eye out for available traction while riding on wet roads.

Where the bike really shines is once the roads end and the trails begin. Before riding off-road, I tend to do two things. Adjust the front rebound and compression damping to the softest settings, and also change the riding mode to off-road for that aggressive throttle response. I usually don’t play around with the suspension settings, but the adjusters on the 390’s fork ends are very easy to use, so it became a habit while living with this motorcycle.

As mentioned before, the 390 Adventure, despite being tall, doesn’t feel tippy or top-heavy. KTM has really done a great job with the bike’s weight distribution and centre of gravity. Riding through slow and technical terrain or flying past flowing trails is easy, and it doesn’t take much effort to get used to the bike.

The higher suspension travel also inspires a lot of confidence when you’re riding over obstacles. Things that would usually result in the skid plate scraping on the 390 Adventure S aren’t as bothersome anymore. The suspension bottoming out during jumps was an issue with the 390 Adventure S, but that isn’t an issue with the 390 Adventure R.

The weight is also manageable, and you can easily get out of tricky situations by either walking the bike or pivoting it on the side stand if you’re a beginner like me. The block pattern Mitas Enduro Trail+ tyres also offer good grip on light trails, rocks and other challenging terrain that I encountered while testing this motorcycle.

Verdict

The KTM 390 Adventure R is an impressive motorcycle that ticks all the right boxes. It can handle city commutes, highway touring and is also a good companion for the weekend trail rides. It feels like a big upgrade over the KTM 390 Adventure S in terms of off-road performance, while also being around Rs. 19,000 more affordable. This comes down to the use of larger spoke wheels with tube tyres, instead of tubeless ones like the S. This is a fair trade-off for better performance off-road. And the ability to continue riding with a slightly bent rim, in the off chance of an unwelcome encounter with a big rock while out on the trails.

The bike is perfect for riders who might be living far away from the trails and need something that has both the off-road manners and highway legs to get to in a reasonable time and with minimal fatigue. But if off-roading is not the main thing on your mind, and you want something less intimidating in terms of seat height, then the 390 Adventure X and S are worth considering.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi