2025 KTM 390 Adventure Review - The Ultimate Everyday Adventurer

Published: Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 10:00 [IST]

KTM finally hit the switch to bring a 390 Adventure version of its popular 390 series of motorcycles with the previous generation of the bikes, and we kinda fell in love with it almost immediately after we hopped into its saddle. With an array of variants, including one with a lower seat height for us desis, the KTM 390 Adventure finally provided an alternative to Royal Enfield's Himalayan.

However, the first-gen 390 Adventure had a few issues because it was based on the street-spec 390 Duke. With those issues in mind, KTM took inspiration from its 450 Rally Dakar-winning motorcycle and decided to go hell for leather with the second-generation 390 Adventure.

So when the Austrian Orange specialists flew us out to ride the new KTM 390 Adventure in Goa, we were rather pumped up to get into the saddle. Here are our thoughts after two separate rides over two days in the saddle of the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure in Goa.

2025 KTM 390 Adventure Review: Design - Dakar Inspired

KTM claims that the new-gen 390 Adventure's design is inspired by its Dakar-dominating 450 Rally motorcycle. At the front, it features a high beak-like front fender, a tall, near-vertical windscreen, and a dual-LED headlight setup surrounded by horseshoe-shaped LED DRLs.

Other design highlights include a muscular (14-litre) fuel tank, colour-injected side panels, knuckle guards, a high-mounted (rally-style) 5-inch colour TFT screen, a single-piece seat, and a small LED taillight.

2025 KTM 390 Adventure Review: Engine, Mechanical Bits & Electronic Aids - Feature Loaded

The 2025 KTM 390 Adventure borrows its powerplant from the 390 Duke. The 399cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine pushes out 45.3bhp and 39Nm of peak torque that is mated to a 6-speed gearbox aided by a bi-directional quick-shifter and a slipper clutch.

The new KTM 390 Adventure sports a split trellis frame setup suspended off of a 41mm WP USD open cartridge fork up front and a mono-shock at the rear. The front fork offers 30 steps of compression and rebound damping along with 200mm of travel, while the rear mono shock offers 20 clicks of rebound damping, 10 steps of preload adjustment, and 205mm of wheel travel.

The 2025 390 Adventure sports spoked wheels (21-inch front and 17-inch rear) with tubeless tyres from Apollo measuring 90/90 x21 at the front and 130/80 x 17 at the rear. Braking duties are handled by a 320mm disc at the front and a 220mm disc at the rear that are clamped down by floating callipers.

The 2025 KTM 390 Adventure comes packed with electronic aids, including three riding modes thanks to ride-by-wire, cornering ABS, offroad ABS, traction control, cornering traction control, and cruise control. The 5-inch colour TFT offers Bluetooth connectivity which when integrated with the KTM connect app allows for turn-by-turn navigation, call and music control.

2025 KTM 390 Adventure Review: Riding Impressions - Potent Adventurer For A Broader Audience

The 2025 KTM Adventure 390 introduces key refinements, improving accessibility and comfort compared to the previous version of the ADV while taking its off-road prowess to new levels. The reduced seat height of 830mm enhances rider-friendliness, while the seat aids reachability thanks to a narrow centre section which allows shorter riders to get both feet on the ground easily when the bike comes to a halt. However, we wish KTM had offered better cushioning, especially for the pillion rider.

The new, taller windscreen provides better wind protection on highways, though minor vibrations remain noticeable at high speeds, particularly on the handlebars and footpegs. However, if you feel like standing up and taking this orange off-roading bull by its horns, those pegs and the handlebar give you the confidence to do so.

The 399cc engine borrowed from the 390 Duke offers impressive low-end torque, smoothly pulling from 25 km/h in third gear without the need to downshift. It features slightly different gearing compared to the 390 Duke, which is the reason for the better low-end response.

KTM claims that the 390 Adventure sprints from 0-100km/h in 6.2 seconds, and it sure was banging through the gears when we asked it for a bit more straight-line fun. The 2025 390 Adventure from KTM cruises at triple-digit speeds effortlessly and is as stable as it can get. The quick shifter feels more refined and performs seamlessly, even at lower speeds.

The three riding modes-Off-road, Street, and Rain-adjust acceleration dynamics accordingly, with Off-road mode offering the most potent experience and Rain mode providing the softest throttle response for better control in damp conditions. The rapid response of the throttle in off-road mode may seem a bit disconcerting at first, but it does allow you to access the motor's low-end grunt in tricky off-roading situations, where you need all the torque from that potent single-cylinder.

The suspension setup of the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure is rather impressive, with adjustable front forks and a rear mono-shock absorbing bumps and ruts with ease across terrains, from the city's potholes to rough trails with ease.

The braking setup is equally competent, and the discs offer good bites. If you're coming to a halt from highway speeds or trying to slowly but surely make your way across slightly tough off-road conditions, the new 390 Adventure's brakes have your back. The well-calibrated ABS adds to the confidence you feel when dropping the anchors on the 390 Adventure, as do the grippy Apollo tyres and those spoked wheels.

2025 KTM 390 Adventure Review: Verdict & Final Thoughts - The Ultimate Everyday Adventurer

The 2025 KTM 390 Adventure may seem like the Austrian firm's pivoted towards a bike that has been for the hardcore offroader. However, after a few stints in the saddle, the new 390 Adventure sure feels like it has a bit of everything in it for every rider.

From the lower seat to the more potent engine and that uprated suspension setup, the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure is an upgrade in every way to its predecessor (except for maybe that damn 14.5-litre fuel tank). It is an easy recommendation for us to anyone who wants to start hitting the trails or the long highways.