The next-generation KTM 390 Adventure R has broken cover at EICMA today. This is expected to be the hardcore-offroad variant of the updated 390 Adventure line-up. KTM’s new design philosophy for its Adventure line as seen on the bigger 890 and 1390 models translates rather well to this comparatively lithe 390 Adventure R.
The front end is defined by a tall, wraparound windscreen with a slat directing airflow to the rider and twin vertically stacked LED headlights surrounded by an inverted horseshoe-shaped DRL cluster. Sizeable auxiliary projector lights peek out from behind the sharp front fairing. The outgoing model’s conventional front mudguard has been chucked for a motocross-esque fiber beak, which looks right at home above the 21-inch spoked rim shod in knobby rubber. Yes, the alloys of the previous model are no more. Sleek fiber panels now hide most of the redesigned chassis and sub-frame and the rear end is sharp and thin, again, not unlike a motocross bike. The rear end now sits on an all-new off-road swingarm hooked to an 18-incher wearing a knobby tyre with thick sidewalls. The new Adventure R makes do with tubed tyres, for now. The overall aesthetic has moved from the road-biased looks of the old model towards an off-road-ready vibe, and we daresay this bike looks like it wouldn’t mind taking a couple of falls out on the trails.
The engine is expected to be the all-new LC4c 399cc unit which does duty excellently in the updated Gen-3 Duke 390. Unless KTM has jazzed things up with a dedicated ECU tune, unique fuel map or changes to the drivetrain, expect power and torque figures similar to the Duke’s 46PS and 39Nm. We can also safely expect it to feature the Duke’s 6 speed transmission, with a bi-directional quickshifter either standard or optionally available. A robust-looking bash plate covers the engine nicely, and also gets proper ventilation all around. The one feature that has caught us off-guard is the underbody-mounted Akrapovic exhaust, which is an oddity on an offroad-biased motorcycle.
KTM’s in-house brand WP is supplying the suspension hardware; the front gets fully adjustable Apex Xplor USD forks with upto 230mm of travel, while the rear packs a rebound and preload adjustable offset Apex monoshock. Crucially, the seat height is now a lofty 885mm, a 30mm increase over the outgoing model. To put this into perspective, this is identical to that of the Hero XPulse 200 4V Pro, which is a hardcore, offroad-biased, dual-purpose dirt shredder! Safe to say, the 390 Adventure R has sacrificed accessibility to perform better off the road, and serious riders will most likely approve. In the gizmo department, it gets a rally-style positioned digital TFT dashboard, ride-by-wire technology, switchable rear ABS (Supermoto mode), cornering ABS, switchable traction control and Bluetooth connectivity. It is expected to feature a digital dashboard similar to the one already seen on the updated Duke 390.
The 390 Adventure R has completely eschewed the outgoing model’s previous ‘streetbike for occasional dirt roads’ image and now comes across as a serious machine for serious riders which doesn’t shy away from the rough stuff.
