Since we're talking about Ad-
venture R-unique upgrades, we
might as well dig into the digital
bits now.
THE FULL E-SUITE
KTM threw the electronic book at
the 390 Adventure R, giving it a
class-dominating 3D IMU to im
-
plore lean-angle-sensitive traction
control and ABS sensitivity into
your entry-level adventure-riding
vocabulary. This is comparable to
high-end street, travel/touring, and
even race-bike traction technol
-
ogy. It is not simply using wheel-
and vehicle-speed data. As such,
there are three built-in ride modes
on offer in Street, Off-Road and
Rain, each adjusting throttle re
-
sponse, traction control and ABS
intervention appropriately. Ad-
ditionally, users in Off-Road mode
can completely disable rear-tire
ABS. You cannot turn off the
front wheel ABS completely, but
the off-road ABS mode is plenty
adequate for me. You just need
to trust the system and squeeze
the lever to the grip once it starts
pulsing, something unnerving and
unnatural to us off-road-firsters.
But it works. Just smash it.
All this settings business is
controlled through and viewed via
a fantastic, anti-glare five-inch, full-
color TFT display. It's one of the
nicest screens in ADV with simple
graphics and an easy-to-learn
menu process. You can probably
read speeds upwards of 90 mph
on dirt roads on it…. probably.
Full LED lighting surrounds
the 390 Adventure R, much like
the 390 Enduro R; however, the
390 Adventure R's headlight is
quite a bit more advanced. I like
its output and spread, but it does
(Above) Exceeding expectations, the 390
Adventure R has big tech on board, like the excellent
five-inch TFT display (and all the ride tech, too).
(Below top) Like the 390 Enduro R, the stock "skid"
plate is for roost deflection only. Don't skid on it
much. (Bottom) The snug underbelly exhaust outlet
seems vulnerable. We haven't hit it yet, but...
VOLUME ISSUE JULY , P105
