KTM 390 Adventure

Built:2020-2420202021202220232024

Photos: Motorradtest.de

KTM has set off and brings a small adventure bike according to the style of the house. This is not about engine power beyond 150 hp, but the great freedom for all A2 licence holders. Does this work in practice?

Small but complete

At first glance, everything seems clear: unmistakable KTM, because design, unmistakable A2, because small. But with this we are already approaching the first riddle of this machine, which is not exactly poor in mysteries. Price question: Why are A2 bikes usually smaller than motorcycles with a larger engine? It can't be because of the optics, but very little about the technology - if at all: The single cylinder that our KTM 390 carries in the frame could be drilled to 800 cubic meters. Sure, everything would then be a little more stable and generously designed, but not as much as the bike is now smaller. The last possibility would be that human holders of the A2 driving licence are smaller than the rest of the population. Even if there are no meaningful studies on this, this is rather unlikely.

Agility like no other

Even when ascending, an essential character of this machine becomes apparent. Tester Markus, not exactly overweight, swings himself on the bike with his own vigour – and almost flips to the side along with the car. The KTM weighs only 172 kilos, feels even less. The lightness of being is one of the essential features of this 390 adventure.

Apart from that, the seat height is 855 millimeters, it is a sitting at a high level, along with far in front. This has several effects: from 1.85 meters of body length it slowly becomes uncomfortable on the small bike. The pilot is also not sitting in the machine, but on it. For the sitting position far in front, the testers found the handlebars to be mounted too low. On the other hand, we have never had such a small bike, which allows the passenger such a good sitting. That's great.

A word about mixed tyres, which can be combined with the low weight this time. The author of these lines is not on mixed tyres, which should work as well on the road as in the terrain. In practice, this all too often means that in both cases it is a compromise that easily becomes lazy. With the KTM 390 Adventure, this is different in that the machine's low weight allows even beginners off the roads more than just first attempts at walking. Among the adventure bikes we tested, the KTM is far ahead in this respect.

The only 172 kilos give the biker the feeling of having the vehicle under control at all times. It is extremely manoeuvrable at all times due to its 1.43 metre short wheelbase, without ever appearing tilting or unstable. The extensive safety package such as the slant-dependent traction control or the ABS, which can be adjusted on off-road, play their part. How the equipment is outstanding: Whether LED lighting or the coloured cockpit, which adjusts its brightness to the ambient light: In terms of equipment, the KTM 390 Adventure plays two, but at least one class above average. With one exception, because the brakes (front single disc) get only the note enough from us.

In the long run, by the way, the bench is more of the hard variety. Is this a sinner's bench that points to the upcoming road traffic violations? As mentioned above, this would definitely be possible with cornering, the chassis is – unusually for this class – fully adjustable. The engine, a single-cylinder engine, has to be rotated for its 44 hp, which is rather detrimental to a cruiser driving style. But it's a good move, no question about it. The gearbox is typical KTM: precise and with short switching paths, the right gear is found.

The driving comfort is good, except for the windscreen – it is just a small sign. This can be adjusted in height with tools, which firstly does not make it bigger and also does not stop the wind noise.