KTM's smallest ADV after 7+ years of waiting
390 Duke (2013) → 390 Adventure (2020)
KTM's 390 Duke roadster launched 2013. Riders begged for an ADV variant. KTM teased a 390 Adventure concept in 2017. Production version finally landed in 2020 — 7 years after the Duke. Now in its second generation (2025), it's KTM's most accessible ADV.
Bajaj-built — Indian manufacturing
Cost optimisation, KTM oversight
All KTM 125 / 200 / 250 / 390 / 490 single-cylinder bikes are made in India by Bajaj Auto under KTM engineering oversight. Same arrangement as Triumph Speed 400. The 390 Adventure benefits from Indian manufacturing economics — similar architecture to a A$10,700Royal Enfield Himalayan would cost A$16,600+ if European-built.
21in front wheel option = serious off-road
Adventure R variant
Standard 390 Adventure: 19in/17in cast wheels — biased towards road. 390 Adventure R Rally: 21in/18in spoke wheels with tubeless tyres — biased towards off-road. Both share the same engine, frame, electronics. The R version has 230mm front travel vs 200mm; properly capable on green lanes.
All-new for 2025 — clean-sheet redesign
Generation 2
First-gen 2020-2024 390 Adventure: trellis frame, no IMU, basic electronics. Second-gen 2025 onwards: cast aluminium subframe, longer-travel WP APEX suspension, IMU + cornering electronics, 5in TFT, ride-by-wire. Almost no parts shared with the original.
A$12,700OTR — class-leading value
Vs Honda CB500X A$13,300/ Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 A$11,100
KTM 390 Adventure: A$12,700. Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: A$11,100. Honda CB500X: A$13,300. Suzuki V-Strom 250SX: A$9,700. The KTM offers more electronics + sharper chassis than Honda or RE; the Suzuki is the budget choice but lacks IMU.
Real off-road capability for an A2 bike
Genuine 230mm travel + 21in wheel option
Most A2-restricted ADVs (Honda CB500X, Royal Enfield Scram 411, Yamaha Ténéré 700 — restricted from 72bhp) have 17in or 19in front wheels and modest suspension travel. The 390 Adventure R Rally with its 21in wheel + 230mm travel is one of the few A2-licence bikes you can actually take into proper trail terrain without compromise.
