ZigOpinion: Do We Really Need Soooo Many Variants Of The KTM 390 Adventure?

KTM is diversifying its adventure portfolio. Actually, just the 390 Adventure. Until March, if you walked into a KTM dealership anywhere in the country, you got only one bike: non-adjustable suspension, alloy wheels, and with electronics. Now, though, KTM has officially brought out the 390 ADV X, the adventure bike without electronic aids, MRF rubber and a lower price tag. Then, unofficially, there’s a lower-ride-height trim with the only changes made to the suspension internals. 

And there’s a fourth version incoming, sometime by the end of May. This one will have spoke wheels and adjustable suspension, thus further raising the asking price. 

Are four versions needed?

Jehan’s View - No, Two Should Be More Than Enough

This is not quite the Bajaj Discover level of product range spread but it is still quite diverse with little difference in overall user experience. I think instead of having four as such, it would do KTM India good if it keeps the 390 ADV X with lowered suspension components and has the standard version with adjustable suspension coming in as stock. Unlike walking into an ice-cream shop and being confused by fifteen different varieties of chocolate ice cream, you would rather just have two very good options.

Bringing in the 390 Adventure X might make sense for the touring folk, those who don’t quite want to bother around with riding aids and going off-road. Hence, bringing in the lowered suspension here itself and making the ride more pliant would ensure long distance tours would be more comfortable, and shorter riders too can enjoy the benefit of the low-cost option.

Serious biker folk know that seat height shouldn’t hinder you from enjoying any ride. It is a matter of skill development. Heck, we’ve seen plenty of short and slender riders, irrespective of gender, develop skills to rough up big burly ADVs like the BMW R 1250 GS and the Honda Africa Twin. So, the low ride height version sans electronics would’ve been okay for the not-so-keen-rider folk.

However, if you are enthusiastic, you know the 390 Adventure’s shortcomings in the suspension department, especially with regards to its ride quality. The India-spec bike is inherently firm and rides harshly over broken surfaces. Having the adjustable suspension will help the rider tune the ride finely. You can have your own settings for commutes, tours and off-road and all that can be done by tinkering around for a few hours. 

Spoke wheels can be offered as an accessory. The current ones aren’t of the tubeless type, and given our road conditions alloys are more than ideal for all sorts of riding. 

KTM India, are you reading this?

PD’s View - Yes, More Adaptability

The KTM 390 Adventure, in its stock guise, is an inherently flawed motorcycle. It’s not hardcore enough for the true ADV enthusiasts and it can be a little intimidating for younger, shorter riders who haven’t ridden adventure bikes before. Yet it’s found a niche among riders looking for a quick, spacious and capable touring motorcycle which can handle a bit of the rough stuff. But the 390 Adventure is not really meant to be a niche motorcycle. It’s more of an entry into the world of ADVs. Riders from 390 Adventures, in theory, would be upgrading to Triumph Tigers and BMW GS’ in the future.

So how do you broaden the appeal of the 390 Adventure? By doing exactly what KTM India is doing right now. At this stage, you have the 390 Adventure Low Seat Height version, or “V”, which should attract those who have stayed away from the bike so far because of its seat height. Then you have the “X”, which is for those who stayed away from the ADV because of its high price, and are willing to live without some of the fancy electronics. Of course, you have the standard 390 Adventure, which has its established audience anyway. And for those looking for a “true” adventure, the soon-to-be-launched 390 Adventure Rally (working title) will offer full suspension adjustability and wire spoke wheels.

Some, like my colleague Jehan, sees these as four different options in the 390 Adventure lineup - something that will cause confusion to the buyer about which one to buy. But actually, it’s just one bike, in just different sizes - body size, wallet size and off-road ability/aspiration size. When you go to a clothing store to buy a shirt, once you’ve picked one you like, the different sizes don’t confuse you, right? You buy the one that fits.

Of course, one could argue that KTM is very late to the party doing this, and is only responding to impending threats from the likes of the Hero Xpulse 400 and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. But… better late than never I say!