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RIDE COMPARISON I 2026 KTM 390 ADVENTURE R VS. KAWASAKI KLE500 SE ABS
KTM feels quicker handling and
nimbler on the trail, while the
Kawasaki feels more planted on
the road, especially through fast
sweepers.
Low-speed handling is just as
important as high-speed han-
dling, especially for riders new
to off-roading, and both bikes
perform well here. However, the
KTM's lighter weight certainly
gives it an advantage and in-
spires more confidence, espe-
cially in the sand and soft stuff,
where the KTM shines compared
with the Kawasaki and just about
any adventure bike.
So, Which One?
As it turns out, comparing the
KTM 390 Adventure R and Kawa-
saki KLE500 SE ABS really is a
little like comparing apples to or-
anges. They might sit in the same
section of the ADV aisle, and their
price tags are nearly identical, but
they approach adventure riding in
very different ways.
If you're new to motorcycling,
getting back into riding again, or
just thinking about getting into
ADV-type riding and don't have
much off-road riding experience,
here's the scoop on these two sim-
ilar but, yes, different motorcycles:
The KTM is clearly the more dirt-
oriented option. It's significantly
lighter, has more ground clear-
ance, better and more adjustable
suspension, an 18-inch rear wheel,
and a more aggressive personal-
ity. Its single-cylinder engine has
plenty of punch, and when the
pavement ends and the trail gets
rough, the KTM quickly separates
itself from the Kawasaki. If your
idea of adventure riding involves
seeking out challenging trails
The KTM will get you from trail to
trail comfortably on the pavement, if
the pavement isn't too long.
