KTM 390 Adventure (349cc) Review: Less Punch, Still a Proper Tourer

When the Indian government changed the GST rates last year, KTM like quite a few other manufacturers found itself in a bit of a dilemma, as its popular 390 lineup found itself under the higher tax bracket under the new tax rules.

However, like quite a few bikemakers under the Bajaj umbrella in India, KTM cut the 390 Adventure's engine from 399cc to 349cc so it can slip into the lower GST bracket, while ensuring that the 390 name stays on the tank along with the styling, colours and almost the entire feature list.

We got our hands on the 349cc KTM 390 Adventure for a week to see how the smaller engine changes the nature of the bike and if the change is really worth the drop in the price tag.

KTM 390 Adventure (349cc) Review - Design & Features

The 349cc KTM 390 Adventure costs Rs 2.88 lakh ex-showroom Delhi,. It's the most affordable bike in the 390 Adventure range, sitting well below the Adventure X. The X, R and S variants of the 390 Adventure continue with the 399cc engine for now.

The styling hasn't changed. It's the same ADV look with a sporty stance, painted in the white and orange scheme from the Adventure S while the alloy wheels are from the Adventure X. Nothing has been taken out of the feature list either. There's a 5-inch colour TFT with Bluetooth connectivity, full-LED lighting, cruise control and a bi-directional quickshifter.

The IMU-based aids include cornering ABS and cornering traction control, and the ride modes, traction control and ABS have been retained and can all be customised. The dual-channel ABS is switchable and has a Supermoto mode.

KTM 390 Adventure (349cc) Review - Engine & Underpinnings

The new engine for the 390 Adventure is a 349.32cc, liquid-cooled single also seen on the Duke. The stroke has been reduced from 64mm to 56.15mm while the bore remains unchanged. Power falls to 41.5PS from 46PS and torque to 33.5Nm from 39Nm. The six-speed gearbox stays.

The 390 Adventure continues with the steel trellis frame with a WP USD fork up front and a WP monoshock at the rear. The 19/17-inch alloy wheels come from the Adventure X, and are wrapped in Apollo Tramplr XR tyres (100/90 x 19 front and 130/80x 17 - rear). Kerb weight is 181kg and ground clearance is 228mm.

KTM 390 Adventure (349cc) Review - Riding Impressions

Touring is what this KTM 390 Adventure does best. The riding position is upright, the ergonomics are relaxed and the wind protection takes the edge off long highway stints. Cruise control makes it even easier. Once you've left the throttle alone on an open road for a while, you understand why KTM fitted it.

The smaller engine is where the Adventure gives something up, and you feel it the moment you ask for more. The old motor's mid-range surge is gone. Power now comes in smoother and more linearly, with the stronger push saved for around 8,000rpm. We saw a mileage of 33km/l when cruising at 80-90km/h on the 390 Adventure, a good figure for a bike in this class.

That suits relaxed riding well enough. Overtaking is different, because you need to downshift and open the throttle further to get past traffic, and the top end lacks the urgency we expect from a KTM. For most road riders it's still plenty. If you plan to go off-road, the weaker bottom end and mid-range will be more of a problem.

Refinement is better than on the 399cc motor. The engine is smooth at idle and across the rev range, and we heard no rattles from the panels. The vibrations haven't gone away though. Around 6,000rpm you feel them through the handlebars and footpegs, and that's close to where the bike sits at 100km/h in sixth gear. Hold that speed for long and the buzz becomes part of the ride.

The bi-directional quickshifter is a highlight of the 390 Adventure. Upshifts and downshifts are easy, and it makes overtakes and spirited riding more fun. The ride modes also change the bike's behaviour in a way you can feel, which helps when you move between tarmac and loose surfaces.

Handling is where the Adventure shines. The wide handlebar gives plenty of leverage, so it filters through traffic far more easily than its size suggests, and it tips into corners with real accuracy. The Apollo tyres grip well despite their block pattern. The WP suspension is the best part of the bike. It takes potholes and broken roads in its stride and gives you confidence on trails too. It has a slightly firm edge and bobs a little over undulating surfaces, but the bike stays composed.

The 181kg kerb weight is manageable on tight turns and technical sections, and the long-travel suspension, 228mm of ground clearance, switchable ABS and off-road electronics mean it hasn't lost any of its trail ability. Under hard braking the long-travel front end dives, though the front brake bites strongly and the rear is predictable.

The rider's seat is comfortable, but the pillion's isn't. It needs more cushioning, and long journeys on the back will be tiring. The LED projector headlight lights up the road well at night. The 5-inch TFT is clear and easy to use, and KTM Connect gives you navigation and ride information on it. You can pair a Bluetooth intercom with it too.

KTM 390 Adventure (349cc) Review - Verdict

The 349cc 390 Adventure remains a capable, feature-packed tourer. The upright seating, wind protection, cruise control, WP suspension, electronics and good fuel efficiency all still add up to a bike that's easy to live with over long distances. The quickshifter and the TFT make it feel more expensive than it is.

What you lose is the old engine's punch. The torque drop is easy to notice when you accelerate hard or overtake, and the vibrations around 6,000rpm and the poor pillion seat could be better. KTM also kept the 390 name, which makes the smaller engine harder to spot on a spec sheet.

You buy this one with your head, not your heart. If you want the full KTM experience, the Adventure X is the one to get. But the 349cc bike costs considerably less, and for most riders the performance gap isn't big enough to justify the extra. If long-distance touring and light adventure riding are your priorities, it still makes a strong case for itself.