2020 BMW G 310 GS VS. KTM 390 ADVENTURE VS. ROYAL ENFIELD HIMALAYAN
COMPARISON
P88
Let's not forget the engine is
air-cooled.
This lack of luster comes in
at $4749. For at least $1000
less than the others, you expect
some performance drop off. But
riding the bikes back-to-back
reveals fewer Royal Enfield
deficiencies than you might ex-
pect. In fact, this bike has been
defended more rigorously by our
editorial staff and testing pool
than any recent motorcycle. It's
non-threatening.
The Himalayan has the largest
engine in the test—almost 100cc
bigger than the BWM at 411cc.
The long-stroke motor certainly
has a sweet spot it likes to run,
and our test riders agreed it's at a
comfortable, reasonable 4000-
6000 rpm range. This is perfect
for cruising pavement or dirt
roads, looking at trees, or scout-
ing out a campsite worthy of your
Instagram posts. Outside that, it's
either gasping for air trying to get
there or starting to vibe out and
wishing you'd just give it another
gear already. It likes the sweet
spot of revs to cruise along at its
own pace. It runs like it looks:
smooth, industrial, welcoming
and fun, but not exciting.
Complicating this power
character is a five-speed trans-
mission with big jumps between
cogs that seem chunky com-
pared to the others. To ensure
adequate speed (we're talking
high 70s, tops), first gear is tall,
and the gaps all the way to five
Street or dirt,
the KTM 390
Adventure delivers
the goods.
