KTM 390 Adventure wows at India Bike Week 2019

KTM has showcased the much-awaited 390 Adventure in India. First revealed at the EICMA Show in Milan in early November, the 390 Adventure is essentially an off-road oriented version of the 390 Duke and uses the same 373.2cc single-cylinder engine. Performance figures are identical as well, with 44hp produced at 9000rpm and 37Nm of torque coming in at 7000rpm.

Like the rest of the 2020 KTM India line-up, the 390 Adventure's engine is now BS6-compliant and it's nice to know that the update hasn't come with a reduction in output figures.

Despite its now more off-road oriented nature, KTM has not made any changes to the motorcycle's sprocketing and the final drive ratio is the same as that on its street-naked counterpart. However, the manufacturer has equipped the 390 ADV with switchable traction control and it gets a bi-directional quickshifter as standard.

The 390 Adventure gets Metzeler Tourance tyres with a 100/90-19 tyre at the front and a 130/80-17 tyre at the rear. Suspension duties are carried out by a 43mm USD fork but unlike the international bike that offers compression and rebound adjustability, this one is a non-adjustable unit. The rear monoshock, meanwhile, can be adjusted for pre-load and rebound. This setup also offers more travel when compared to the 390 Duke – 170mm/177mm (front/rear) compared to the 142mm/150mm available on the naked 390.

The 390 Adventure also differs from its naked sibling in terms of steering-head angle and trail. On the 390 Duke, it is 65 degrees and 95mm, respectively, while on the 390 Adventure it is 63.5 degrees and 98mm. The changes have resulted in a considerably longer 1,430mm wheelbase, as compared to 1,357mm on the Duke. Ground clearance is a rather decent 200mm, while the seat height is on the higher side at 855mm. The 390 Adventure also comes with a slightly larger fuel tank, with a 14.5-litre capacity. The additional hardware brings with it an increase in weight – the 390 Adventure now weighs in at 158kg (dry).

KTM was expected to launch the 390 Adventure at the event, but that has now been postponed and the wait for price continues until January 2020. It may be recollected that Autocar Professional first broke this news of India-bound KTM 390 Adventure in March 2016.