The Single-Cylinder ADV That Can Do It All

Before the end of last year, KTM announced a flurry of new 390-based bikes for the 2025 model year. At one point, it looked like none of these bikes would ever see the light of day, as the company found itself in a world of financial trouble. But, once KTM was bailed out by its once partner – now owner – Bajaj, it became pretty clear why these bikes were always going to come out.

Bajaj has been making the smaller displacement KTM road bikes since 2013, and clearly believes that keeping the brand intact is the best way to keep the money coming in. On the face of it, this might seem like a pretty steep price to pay, but it is hard to put an exact figure on what KTM’s global dealer network might really be worth to a company that simply doesn’t have it. All four of the Bajaj-built 390s offer great value to different buyers, but the Adventure R has to be the best entry-level ADV currently on the market.

The KTM 390 Adventure R Is The Single-cylinder ADV That Can Do It All

MSRP: $6,999

KTM – photographer: Tschann E.

Before we even get into the 390 Adventure R’s rivals from other brands, we have to look at the Adventure X, the more street oriented of the two. It comes with alloy wheels and fewer features, but in terms of overall value it is pretty hard to ignore, as it costs over $1k less. That is a significant amount of money at this end of the market, and if you are a first-time buyer not particularly keen on doing too much off-roading, that might well be the better option.

CFMoto

CFMoto offers the Ibex 450, which might have the KTM’s number in some respects. It is cheaper, the build quality is, for the most part, superior, and it has a parallel-twin as opposed to a single. KTM has a small edge in terms of off-road ability. Even though this is a street bike platform, it has the better suspension and the best off-road electronics in the segment.

Royal Enfield

The Royal Enfield also has a capable, affordable alternative in the form of the Himalayan 450, but it has failed to capture the imagination like the original bike did. Honda has the NX500 for those more interested in sticking to paved roads, but the most interesting small ADV will only arrive next year. BMW has teased the new F 450 GS, and it looks like it might be worth the wait, and worth considering even if it is a little more expensive.

Rivals

• CFMoto Ibex 450
• Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
• Honda NX500

The 390 Adventure R Has A Class-Leading Single-Cylinder Engine

Power: 44 Horsepower

KTM – photographer: Tschann E.

This 390 platform has been around for well over a decade now. We would be remiss to say it has been plain sailing. In fact, these little singles have had a wide range of issues in the past, but as each year passed, all the kinks were meticulously worked out. The displacement recently went up from 373cc to 399cc, but that seems to have had more to do with getting through Euro5+ emissions than anything else. Other than that, not much changed. The power output also remained the same.

As is the case with any biggish single, it will get a little buzzy on the highway. A pro tip might be getting a set of those Mud Grips. Some folks swear by them, others hate how they dull all manner of feedback. The advantages of a single certainly outweigh the negatives when it comes to going off-road. It is naturally lighter with fewer moving parts, it is easier and cheaper to maintain. It is also more fuel efficient – especially within the city limits.

Engine Specifications

The 390 Adventure R Promises Top Notch Features For Entry-Level Money

Punches Well Above Its Weight

KTM

Even though this is still technically an entry-level model, the Adventure R comes packed with pretty much every conceivable feature any adventure enthusiast could ever want. You get class-leading off-road ABS, lean-sensitive traction control and cruise control, an unusual feature for a small bike like this. A TFT dash with smartphone connectivity is more or less a given, and both the ABS and traction control are switchable if you want to take the reins off-road.

If you are paying for this more dirt-worthy “R” model, you are paying for those spoked wheels and the fully adjustable WP Apex suspension, which offers more travel than the “X” model. Inevitably, costs need to be saved somewhere on a bike like this, and there is no doubt that it is most felt with the build quality. The plastics are most certainly supplied by the lowest bidder, and compared to the old 390 Adventure, it just feels like a downgrade.

KTM

Then there is the design. KTM loves being bold on this front, but the latest design direction KTM has taken with all the street bikes is even more polarizing than usual. If you like the ultra-sharp angles, that is all good and well, but every time we look at it, all we can think of is some kind of alien creature from one of the movies. At this price point, it does offer amazing value, and if you are like us and don’t love the looks, there is always the Enduro R which has aligned its design with the dirt bike range (it’s also cheaper). You just lose several nice-to-have travel features…

Features

• TFT dash
• KTMconnect
• Off-road ABS
• Cornering ABS
• Cornering traction control
• Cruise control

Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications