Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1237845
VOLUME 57 ISSUE 16 APRIL 21, 2020 P57 downhills. Adequate? Certainly. The only thing that makes the 390 slightly sub-par is its standing ergonomics. It's the only thing we don't like, so far. The bike almost shrinks when you stand up on it, requiring a bend in your hips to get into a proper riding position. Unfor- tunately, the posture isn't conducive to long stints on the pegs, but for the occasional hop-over or two- track rip, it's fine. Sitting, the seat- to-peg distance is very comfortable, and the bar reach is spot on for a variety of rider sizes. KTM's WP Apex fork and shock provide a predictable ride and the adjustability of the fork allows tweaks as terrain changes. The shock has been resilient if a little springy—we're on the rebound/ preload clicker game here. Continental's TKC70 tires are a good choice for the bike as they let the available horsepower break them loose in dirt road drifts but still offer good hook-up in mellow dirt and paved corners. Also, they're quieter and smoother than more aggressive tires. The single-cylinder is pulsing at high frequency all the time (because it's more fun that way), any reduction in vibration is welcome on the road. We felt the most vibes through the footpegs, but we ditched the rubber inserts in the pegs. Finally, the electronics package is clean, effective and intuitive. It's easy to select between ABS modes and to manipulate traction control or any of the other systems. The dash is awesome, and the tach bar goes full trance mode with a shift indica- tor at around 6500 rpm (it's adjust- able after 600 miles). We suggest letting it dance because that's where the party is at. In summary, it's an exciting time to be interested in adventure. Bikes like the KTM 390 Adventure bring affordability to the market but still try to compete above their weight class with premium fea- tures. That's great news for all of us. And it should make comparing these bikes head-to-head very tell- ing in the near future. CN S P E C I F I C A T I O N S 2020 KTM 390 ADVENTURE ($6199) DISPLACEMENT: ......................... 373.2cc BORE X STROKE: ................. 89 x 60mm COMPRESSION RATIO: ................... 12.6:1 FUEL SYSTEM: ....EFI, 46mm throttle body EXHAUST: .............................................. 1-1 TRANSMISSION: ......................... 6-speed CHASSIS: ........ Chromium-Molybdenum- steel trellis frame, powder-coated FRONT SUSPENSION: ..........43mm Apex inverted fork, adjustable rebound and compression damping REAR SUSPENSION: .............. WP shock, adjustable rebound and preload FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL: ...............6.69 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL: ................... 6.9 in. FRONT BRAKE: ....Bybre 4-piston, radially mounted caliper, 320mm disc, ABS REAR BRAKE: .........Bybre 1-piston, fixed caliper, 240mm disc, ABS FRONT TIRE: .................. 100/90 x 19 in. REAR TIRE: .......................130/80 x 17 in RAKE: ............................................... 26.5° TRAIL: ...........................................3.86 in. WHEELBASE: ................................56.3 in. SEAT HEIGHT: ..............................33.6 in. FUEL CAPACITY: .......................... 3.8 gal. WEIGHT (FULL FUEL) .................388 LBS. COLOR: ..................White/Orange, Black