The Enduro R and Adventure It offers a respectable level of comfort and an advanced electronics package that will come in handy during the week. The off-road-oriented suspension and characterful single ensure the fun of the weekend. KTM has pinned its hopes on this new range of small-displacement bikes, and for that reason alone the 390 Adventure R is definitely worth a second look.
The 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R is the ideal motorcycle for commuting and weekend adventures
MSRP: $6,999
Unfortunately, we feel that offering three bikes that look so similar will ultimately lead to some degree of cannibalization. The more off-road-oriented Enduro R is sure to steal a few off-road enthusiasts and the Adventure X is a no-brainer for beginners looking for their first adventure bike. In an already crowded segment, that may be great for the customer, but it may not be sustainable in the long run.
CFMoto offers the most like-for-like alternative in the form of the Ibex 450. It is currently cheaper than the KTM, but that may change in the near future. Royal Enfield has the new Himalayan 450, but it will compete more with the Enduro R in terms of price and off-road capabilities. Although slightly more expensive, the NX500 is still worth considering because you get more for more, and Honda reliability.
Kawasaki offers the Versys-X 300, but it will be more competitive with the Adventure For those willing to wait until at least the end of this year, this is definitely worth considering.
Rivals
CFMoto Capricorn 450
HondaNX500
Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
10 Cheapest New Adventure Motorcycles You Can Buy Today
These are the most affordable ADVs today, and there’s a surprising variety among them
The 390 Adventure R has a powerful single-cylinder engine
Power: 44 hp
Engine | Maximum power | Maximum torque | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
Single cylinder of 399 cc, liquid cooled | 44 hp | 29 LB-FT | 6 gears |
The 390 platform has been around since 2013 and has certainly not been without its fair share of problems. KTM has fixed almost all the problems and also refined them to some extent, but it is still very much the same playful bike. It has grown over the years from 373cc to 399cc, but the power remains more or less the same at 44 hp. Because it’s a single, running costs are low and it remains extremely economical, even if you choose to ride as if you just stole it.
In that respect it’s a very practical commuter, but there’s one part of the bike’s character that not everyone likes. That’s the fact that it always wants to ‘play’ even when you don’t necessarily want it to. Even though it is a small displacement bike, it does not like to cruise at a leisurely pace. It’s much happier driving it like you’ve stolen it, and at lower speeds it feels a little jittery.
Then there is the disadvantage that it is a single. Just about any single-cylinder engine gets a little buzzy, and the Adventure R is no exception. While this isn’t a problem off-road, it certainly causes fatigue if your weekend getaway is more than a few hours away. As long as you are willing to include multiple stops in your trip, this is acceptable.
A
10 adventure bikes from the 2000s that are worth buying today
These old warhorses prove that age is just a number, and you can have just as much fun with a budget ADV today!
The 390 Adventure R is feature-rich
An entry-level bike with premium specifications
Over the years, KTM has made a habit of adding several great features to smaller bikes. Some features on other models have also been known to be hidden behind a paywall, which makes little sense. With the latest 390 Adventure R you get virtually all the electronic features you would want on a motorcycle of this caliber. You get lean-sensing ABS and traction control, off-road ABS (which is arguably the best in the business). If you don’t like it, you can just turn it off if you really want to.
It even gets cruise control, something unheard of for this class of motorcycle, and of course there’s also a TFT dashboard with smartphone connectivity. All bells and electronic whistles are present and accounted for. In terms of physical features, it has wire wheels in an off-road-friendly 21/18-inch configuration. The windshield and bodywork are all new compared to the previous model, and it’s clear that more thought has gone into that area.
Unfortunately, it still looks very much like any other modern KTM. If you want to be polite, you could say the design language is brutal. A fact that is almost universally accepted is that it is not beautiful. As long as you’re willing to live with what it looks like, few bikes offer a better balance between weekday usability and weekend fun. The only bike that might be a better option is the more affordable and altogether nicer 390 Enduro R. You’d have to live without all those nice creature comforts, but if you prefer something a little less fussy, that’s a pretty good argument.
Features
TFT dashboard
KTMconnect
Off-road ABS
ABS when cornering
Traction control in corners
Cruise control
#ideal #motorcycle #commuting #weekend #adventures