KTM 390 Adventure Spotted Testing

KTM enthusiasts, it’s time to rejoice as the much awaited KTM 390 Adventure has finally been spotted testing. The 390 Adventure has been kind of a unicorn motorcycle for bikers as ever since the launch of the 390 Duke in 2013, it was rumoured that an adventure version of the same will hit the roads soon. But few years back, KTM boss Stefan Pierrer had said that the Austrian manufacturer has no plans to make an adventure bike based on the 390 Duke as the platform was inadequate for their needs. He had hinted though, that an adventure bike based on the next generation 390 Duke might be feasible. True to his words, the new KTM 390 Adventure is a proper dual-purpose offering. 

From the spy pics, we can make out that the new adventure bike will have very few body panels, to reduce weight as well as to restrict damage in case of a fall. The tall windscreen which has been integrated into a semi-fairing panel and the large mudguard are reminiscent of the KTM Enduro R. The bash plates, high-mounted exhaust muffler which is same as the unit seen on the 390 Duke, knuckle guards and off-road tyres complete the look. It will be interesting to see whether KTM takes the enduro or the adventure path with the new motorcycle but we feel it might be the later given the demand for low-displacement adventure bikes.

The motor on the test bike seems to be the same 373cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder mill as seen on the 390 Duke but has a different engine case. We expect the KTM engineers to tune the motor for better low-end torque and the gear ratios of the 6-speed transmission might also be shortened. We expect the engine to deliver around 40PS and 33Nm of peak torque. The KTM 390 Adventure employs spoked wheels with an assumed setup of 19-inch up front and 17-inch at the rear. To aid in its off-road prowess the bike has been equipped with long travel suspension on both ends which we feel will offer around 170mm of travel and the swingarm has also been beefed up to take some beating.

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The test mule was equipped with Brembo brakes but we feel that they will be switched to Bybre units to keep cost low, switchable ABS will be standard. We expect the KTM 390 Adventure to make its debut in production avatar at the 2017 EICMA motorcycle show with a probable launch by early 2018 in India. The new KTM 390 Adventure will compete against the BMW G 310 GS, Kawasaki Versys-X 300 and Suzuki V-Strom 250in the entry-level adventure bike space.