2020 K TM 390 ADVENTURE
R I D E R E V I E W
P50
Under the Skin
Built in India alongside KTM's commercial partner Bajaj, KTM
raided the parts bin and fitted the same 373cc single-cylinder
four-stroke motor that sits inside the 390 Duke and the sport
bike RC 390. This is a brilliant little engine, as it's proved
plenty of times in different chassis and applications—we've
done plenty of racing on the RC 390 and love how flexible the
motor is, although in recent years it's
come under pressure from Kawasaki's
Ninja 400 twin-cylinder lump for out-
right performance.
The 390 thus gets a ride-by-wire
throttle and EFI, and thankfully, no vari-
able riding modes to fiddle with. KTM
doesn't quote horsepower numbers for
the Adventure, but given the same mo-
tor makes 43 horsepower in RC 390
Rally-inspired looks will be a hit,
although the ergonomics won't
suit riders over six feet tall.
(Above) Foot pegs come
with rubber inserts for a
more comfortable tarmac
ride (but we promptly
ditched them); the
quickshifter is a must-
have add on. (Left) KTM's
versatile little 373cc
single-cylinder motor has
seen duty in the naked
Duke, sport bike RC, and
now in Adventure form.
