[L0kivich]

Hi all, took delivery of my KTM Adventure 390 X yesterday. Thought I’d make a post regarding the ins and outs of this decision.


Previous bikes owned : CBR 150R, KTM Duke 200 (2016), Ninja 300 - over 16 years of riding. Close to 3 Lakh kms amassed. 



Reason for moving on : My commute to work consists of 60 percent highway and 40 percent country roads totaling about 72 km (to and fro). I tour occasionally (every 6 months or so). The ninja did a fabulous job but I always found myself tired at the end of the day when I reach home whereas I didn’t feel that way when I drove the car or took my dad’s Bullet 350. Additionally, I found the bike heavy to maneuver, while not a fault by itself, I found myself reaching for the good old Activa for shorter stints around my home. The country roads are riddled with speed breakers where I always have to slow down and reduce the weight on the Ninja by placing one leg on the speedbreaker, it was getting too much. Thus, I decided it was time to bid the Ninja 300 (the amazing machine that it was) good bye and move on to the next riding chapter of my life. Comfort, performance and reliability were the main lookouts.

Bikes considered : Himalayan 450, V-Strom 250, Duke 390, NX500, KTM Adventure 390. 


Himalayan 450 - OTR price : 3.66L (With tubeless spoked wheels) - While comfortable on it due to its amazing suspension, I found the bike top heavy. It was evident when I took the bike for test ride; the bike was parked with the back wheel on the tarmac and the front wheel on the dirt (giving it a slightly downward sloped position). I heaved as I brought it straight up and had to take the help of RE Personnel for pulling the bike back. All this with just 1 liter of fuel in it, imagine if it was filled to the brim. I enjoyed the test ride but I didn’t want another bike in the garage that I reserved only for commute. 



V-Strom 250 - OTR price : 2.62L - Kinda checked all my boxes; the bike was nimble, agile and easy to maneuver but there was lack of performance and the suspension was stiff. Moreover the showroom people were rude and always showed hints of “why are you bothering us bro?” in their sentences. The engine felt stressed above 105 KMPH and the test bike condition was not good so I couldn’t reach a conclusion. All other showrooms were very far from my place and I didn’t bother much after that. Also felt that the bike is priced higher than it should be.

NX500 - OTR price : 7.28L - Best out of all I tested, refined engine, comfortable rider’s triangle, excellent suspension, good electronics, Honda’s reliability, best showroom treatment. They had stock available in all 3 colors ready for delivery. Only issue was cost and it did not feel like it was worth two KTM Adventure 390 Xs. Decided not now, but definitely one day!

Duke 390 - Amazingly handy, easy to whip your way through traffic, electronic aids, 20k cheaper and got cruise control now with a new color. The bike is the holy grail of Indian made KTMs and it shows. It’s the most VFM product I rode and I felt KTM deserved my business for it. Few minor nitpickings though are the handle bars. Vibrations were one too many and every time I opened the throttle, the braking led to my palms going sore at the end of the ride. However I was willing to go ahead with it when the Adventure 390 was given for test ride. 



KTM Adventure 390 - Got to test ride the bike for 5 kms, with showroom personnel sitting behind me of course. Nevertheless, I loved the way this bike worked. Amazingly lightweight, KTM fixed all the niggles of the previous gen adventure. I initially felt the performance of the engine was not up to the mark but I switched it to “off road” mode and there it was, the KTM feel. The bike loves to be revved and it zoomed past everyone in a jiffy. Vibes compared to the duke although present were definitely lesser and more manageable. Comfortable ergonomics, no palm soreness, didn’t feel like a hooligan but got the job done when you want it. The bike’s looks are subjective and I personally love it. Went back and booked the bike.

Also an inside decision is to increase the engine displacement with every purchase I make. (Went from 150CC - 200CC - 300 CC) Although the displacement doesn’t mean much on it’s own, it’s a funny rule I made up since my riding journey began and one I intend to stick with (factoring in everything else of course).



The KTM Adventure 390 X story : 

The showroom people promised a delivery by March 20th but went back on their word soon. They claimed that they’re waiting for road approval and the Tamil Nadu government is taking its own time. Then they mentioned that all the stock went to Bangalore and Kerala cause there was no active retail in TN cause of the approval issue. Then they cited that the bike’s production stopped at the Chakan plant in Pune and they’re starting to make it now so the new delivery date is 1st week of April. I was growing tired of all these excuses and started calling up all other dealers when one dealer said they had the KTM Adventure 390 X coming in 2 days and the bike is already dispatched from Pune. I asked him to send pics of the bike once it landed. And he did.






Photos shared by the dealer

Went directly to the showroom next day, saw the bike in person, did a complete PDI of the bike, also rode it a few kms and it seemed to be perfect. Had a debate with myself regarding the decision : (vs the KTM Adventure 390) 


Why I chose the KTM Adventure 390 X (over the standard 390) ? :



The primary question I had to answer was, was the 390 S worth the extra 90K rupees. For that I get -

Cornering ABS and traction control : Might be useful on long tours but it’s definitely not a feature I miss. 



Adjustable suspension : The suspension on X variant felt plush compared to the 390 S (on comfort setting). Maybe it would’ve been better if I tuned it more but I liked the “just get on and ride” idea of the X. There’s still preload adjustability if I needed it.

Spoked Tubeless wheels : I’ve known KTM alloys to be good enough to take a beating on Indian roads. Also saw the MotorInc episode on the 390 X and they mentioned the alloys did very well on off road trails as well. The bike was much more enjoyable on corners due to the shorter 19 inch front wheel and will definitely handle off road well if not to the extent of the S. The tyres are Apollo tramplers, the same as S anyway. This was enough for me. 



Traction control : Would’ve been useful but the Ninja 300 didn’t have it and I never minded it. Shumi on MotorInc commented that even though he encountered a wheel spin, the bike’s long wheelbase gave him confidence to handle it well and it was a good sign. I was convinced. 



Cruise control : I definitely would’ve loved this feature on the X as it is the more touring oriented bike. But I only tour occasionally and this feature won’t be useful in my commute as I have to brake often due to the traffic signals. Moreover I rarely use the cruise control in my car on long rides anyway.

Riding modes : This is the feature I miss the most. The linear power delivery on the X was a little disheartening especially after riding the Duke 390 (knowing that it’s the same engine). Off road mode on the S variant came the closest to the real deal but as I kept riding the X for a few kms, I felt this was fine. I took the bike again for a test ride after 20 mins (cause why not!) and I felt the power was good enough and there was always more juice when I needed it. Made my peace with it.

Instead of focussing on what the X misses, I decided to focus on what it gets and it still gets the quick shifter, TFT display, switchable ABS (off-road) and all other remaining stuff the S variant gets. Overall, I didn’t feel the 90k was justified and decided to spend it on better gear and accessories. With 6k cheaper than the Duke 390, I felt this was incredible VFM and decided to pull the trigger.



OTR price, Chennai (as of this post) - 

Duke 390 : 3.61 L

Adv 390 X : 3.55 L

Adv 390 : 4.45 L 


Also, I personally feel the electronic orange on the X is the best color scheme of all the adventures (Brownie points for that). The white plastic moulds look like they get scuffed easily. 



Paid the full amount and on the 2nd day, got the delivery of my Bike. Couldn’t be happier with the decision. Also a small note was the dealer mentioned this was the first Adventure 390 X to be delivered in Chennai/TN. Don’t know if it’s true but it’s a special feeling nonetheless.





A few pics from my morning commute today

Initial impressions of the bike so far : (ridden close to 100 km)

1. Vibrations : The vibes are always felt in the footpegs. They decrease as the RPM goes up but they’re omnipresent. The handlebar vibrations start at low RPMs, disappear at around 3K, then show up again briefly at 5k RPM. Post that it’s a breeze (didn’t push the bike past 7k RPM owing to the run in period)

2. Heat : Worst part of the bike. The heat dissipates terribly, so much to the point that my legs started burning. I would NOT suggest this bike for daily commute in the city with stop & go traffic. In a hot and humid place like Chennai, this was plain torture. However on speeds above 40 and on long distance riding, this won’t be an issue. If you still want to get this bike for city commutes, then you should regularly wear jeans and shoes.

3. Quality Control : The bike has some rattling noises at around 5k RPM which arises from the windshield joints. The rubber seal doesn’t sit perfectly and even after tightening it was present. Should get it checked in the next service. The fit and finish is definitely lacking in this regard.

4. Performance : Smooth and linear power delivery, didn’t feel the performance lacking at all! Easily reached 115 kmph at 7k RPM on 6th gear. The more I use the bike, the better I am suited to its nature and I feel it’s tuned perfectly. (Although initially I felt different) Throttle is light.

5. Headlights : These are one of the most powerful projectors on the market right now. It completely blinds the opposite vehicles and on high beam it’s a nightmare. I don’t feel there’s a need for auxillary lights but am yet to conclude on it as I haven’t ridden it in pitch dark roads.

6. Brakes : Brakes have a progressive feel, but the front could use more bite. The front gets organic brake pads and I intend to change them to sintered pads like in the S variant at first service.

7. Ergonomics : Comfortable, can easily do long distances without fatigue. The windshield helps too. The only problem is the hard seat. 2-3 hrs on it and your buttocks will definitely be sore. A better gel seat or touring seat is a must.

Other points :

1. The extra key is attached under the seat with a zip tie. The keys also come with a cover.




2. There are some videos showing Royal Enfield keys working on the under seat key hole. I tried it with the Bullet 350’s key and it did not work.

3. The D-Pad buttons are well done - they feel tactile and are responsive.

4. The Instrument cluster can be distracting if you use it while riding. Better to always park the bike and use the the IC

Next stop: splurging on gear and accessories. And just like that, I’m officially part of Team Orange!


P.S - KTM has this weird thing where in order to get the refund of the booking amount you have to write a letter to them and sign it. Made me feel like a school child writing apology letter to the principal. They should definitely come up with a better system for this.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[Flyingdutchman]

Originally Posted by L0kivich

Hi all, took delivery of my KTM Adventure 390 X yesterday.

Many congratulations on the purchase. I read your post on reddit last month. Surprising to see you here. Welcome to the Teambhp Camaraderie.

About the X, I feel like this is the "one" to get from the ADV lineup for most folks. It ticks all the boxes for an average rider. About the rattling part, during first service, get every nut and bolt tighten from the service centre again as someone already mentioned on YouTube. QC at Bajaj for domestic models is still not upto the mark( they have seperate assembly line and QC for Exports). I can understand the vibrations part considering your last ride was silky smooth Ninja 300. But you'll get used to it. KTM has its quirks but the more you use it, more you'll love it!!

[ss11011988]

Hearty congrats on the purchase, wishing you many happy and trouble-free miles with the bike. Talk about manifestation in the form of this post, as I just came back test riding the Adventure 390X. Though I liked the bike overall, the one thing that was nagging me was the positioning of the brake pedal. Somehow, I felt it being positioned a little bit higher than the default position, making me consciously lift up the toe a little bit to get a hold of the pedal thus straining the ankle and instep in that process. Did you or anyone else encounter this issue?

Cheers,
NI

[b16h22]

Originally Posted by ss11011988

Did you or anyone else encounter this issue?

Usually, the rear brake lever angle can be adjusted. There is normally a lock nut on the plunger that goes inside the rear master cylinder. It allows a decent level of adjustment by loosening it.

https://youtu.be/e718v-KceMs?si=J6aSixkbh1hYP43X

[parzival]

Congrats on getting the X
Btw, the response in the off-road mode in S could be a throttle map thing and not really a power increase right. If that’s the case, a fuelX or something similar should solve the problem, not that you need it. Anybody have a better understanding of this?

[PatienceWins]

Congrats for the new bike.

Adv X seems to be real value for money considering that it covers all the essentials. It looks much better than the S version.

Let us know if the refinement improves post first service. Thanks

[L0kivich]

Originally Posted by ss11011988

Hearty congrats on the purchase, wishing you many happy and trouble-free miles with the bike.

Thanks. Looks like the universe sent you a sign!

Regarding the brake pedal, I have absolutely no issues with it. Seems fine for me. I'm 5'6" if it makes any difference.

Originally Posted by parzival

Anybody have a better understanding of this?

I'm not exactly sure but it is set up with the IMU which handles the Cruise control as well as riding modes and thus, neither's available in the bike.

[L0kivich]

Originally Posted by Flyingdutchman

Many congratulations on the purchase. I read your post on reddit last month. Surprising to see you here. Welcome to the Teambhp Camaraderie.

About the X, I feel like this is the "one" to get from the ADV lineup for most folks. It ticks all the boxes for an average rider. About the rattling part, during first service, get every nut and bolt tighten from the service centre again as someone already mentioned on YouTube. QC at Bajaj for domestic models is still not upto the mark( they have seperate assembly line and QC for Exports). I can understand the vibrations part considering your last ride was silky smooth Ninja 300. But you'll get used to it. KTM has its quirks but the more you use it, more you'll love it!!

Thank you. Yes, the thing is I curated the post for TeamBHP but decided to go ahead with a reddit post as well cause I'm quite active over there. By the time the post made it out of the assembly line, I crossed 1k KM and finished the first service as well. I did post an AMA on reddit but I'll post a detailed review here as well. And yeah, regarding the vibrations, I almost don't even notice them anymore. Loving it till now!

[ss11011988]

One more query for the OP, would you mind putting up the price break up here? I was quoted 3.91L for the Duke 390(thanks to the significantly higher taxes to be paid for the significantly worse infrastructure) by the KTM E-City showroom, need to know how much margin they are adding through, to see if I can fork out a better deal.

Cheers,
NI

[just_amyth]

Hi guys! This is going to be my first post on Team BHP where I will require your actual opinion on what's going on.
TITLE: BIKE PURCHASE DILEMA
Context: I am 20yr old student studying in Bangalore, and I am looking to purchase a bike sub-50 hp(since I did run a Jawa Perak briefly for a couple of months, seems only fair to upgrade from there)
I am 6'1(which eliminates any kind of sports-tourer/sport-bike, since it gave me lower back issues on the extended test rides I did)
This bike will mostly be used for commute(round trip of 20kms), along with breakfast rides and occasional tours, basically breaking in to the biking scene
Budget: Sub 4L on-road in Bengaluru(+-30K is manageable as well)
The options I considered:
1) Triumph Scrambler 400X: Seemed like a contender in my list initially, but the service center issues plague the Bangalore dealers and the bike felt a bit uneventful to ride. It was great, but lacked the 'X' factor for me to go full send on it.
2) Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: I was genuinely blown away by the suspension setup on this bike. It felt great, also it gives off the Big Bike feel many people aspire to experience(including myself). But the quality issues and the vibey engine threw me off, especially after I took multiple test rides from different showrooms, the bike felt like it hadn't been through a quality check. That, along with the ugly wiring harness sticking out like a sore thumb and the horror stories coming from the service side of things, I decided to rule this out.
3) Any RE 650: The 650 engine has my heart. A very sweet sounding, torquey engine which goes with a sense of calmness. This engine is truly sensational. But along with that, comes the high maintenance costs and the horrendous fuel economy figures. Moreover the newer 650s are plagued with another issue: STIFF rear suspension, which is borderline unBearable. Though I love the design Language and the general build quality on the new 650s, their maintenance costs is driving me away from them. I especially love the new Classic 650, took a test ride as well, I absolutely love the bike. If I have misinterpreted any of the issues here, please feel free to give the right feedback, because I do genuinely love these bikes, especially the Classic 650.
4) KTM 390 ADV X: Now this, this is also a bike that has absolutely blown me away. I visited Kalyani KTM in Banashankari, and the SA there was really great! The overall test ride experience was also great, where I was allowed to take the bike on a 20km test ride, without anyone accompanying me either, which really gave the full perspective of the bike. So here are my impressions: The bike won't feel great right away. The low-end isn't amazing, but it miles better than the previous gen 390 ADV, thanks to the new engine along with the anti-stall feature. The bike felt good in the city due to its light weight and overall maneuverability was spot on. The power deliver felt adequate, and there was no point during the traffic section where I had to give relatively higher revs to keep the engine stalling, it was a smooth experience. There were vibrations(not a deal-breaker for me) on the foot-pegs and heating was also evident when stopped at a traffic light(again, not a deal-breaker). The real magic was when I revved the bike past 6.5-7k rpms, it just TAKES off!! The acceleration had me giggling like a little kid under the helmet. and to top it off, the quick-shifter. It worked well on most occasions, sometimes giving a rough shift from 2nd to 3rd, but that wasn't a deal breaker. The TFT was great, with the D-pad working really well, with a good tactile feel.
But the only problem with KTM is, the brand image, along with the bankruptcy situation. Parents aren't really convinced by the KTM since they have heard of accidents happen on these bikes when they were newly launched in India, hence terming them as "hooligan" and "too dangerous" for me, which is where I disagree, because the new KTMs, especially the ADVs are not the manic machines they used to be, thanks to the new engine and many other aspects.
5)Dominar 400: Outdated, but still a decent package in 2025.
The ultimate question(s) from this post is,
a) IS the KTM 390 ADV S worth that 90,000rs more than the X?
b) IS KTM bankruptcy situation going to get worse or is there light at the end of tunnel?
c) Am I overlooking any other bikes? (please drop your suggestions below)
d) How much money should be spent on riding gear?
e) In case I want to go for the KTM, how do I convince my parents about it, since they have a fixed pre-conceived notion about the brand?

[TheHelix0202]

Originally Posted by just_amyth

Hi guys! This is going to be my first post on Team BHP where I will require your actual opinion on what's going on.

1. Is this going to be your first bike? If yes, stick to sub-20 BHP motorcycles.

2. If you’re dead set on a 40+ BHP bike, the Adv X should be your pick. I’d suggest the S for the electronics, but if it’s too much financial strain (OTR BLR - 4.8L), avoid it.

3. Dominar’s terrible. Avoid.

Remember to account for fuel costs and maintenance. My suggestion would be to grab a Japanese 150-250cc and get good on it.

[just_amyth]

Originally Posted by TheHelix0202

1. Is this going to be your first bike? If yes, stick to sub-20 BHP motorcycles.

This isn't my first motorcycle, as I said the reference point for me is the Jawa Perak I had briefly, I loved the way it looked, but the more I rode it, I realised that the bike isn't really built for someone with my frame, legs are always cramped, and it was overall a very compact bike. It was definitely a looker, but very stiff rear suspension, next to no ground clearance and uninspiring after sales service forced me to sell the bike

Originally Posted by TheHelix0202

1. Is this going to be your first bike? If yes, stick to sub-20 BHP motorcycles.

2. If you’re dead set on a 40+ BHP bike, the Adv X should be your pick. I’d suggest the S for the electronics, but if it’s too much financial strain (OTR BLR - 4.8L), avoid it.

3. Dominar’s terrible. Avoid.

Remember to account for fuel costs and maintenance. My suggestion would be to grab a Japanese 150-250cc and get good on it.

I rode a couple of the Japanese 150s from Yamaha and also the Gixxer 250 for good measure, to me they felt underpowered. Great vehicles in their own regard, but didn't seem to fulfill my appetite, in the sense that the NTORQ that I use currently is not much more different than these bikes(in terms of power delivery, I have to say, the NTORQ is mega). Again, the V-Strom is a great bike, but just felt underpowered.


The S is definitely more than a bit of a stretch in terms of budget because to me, I don't think I necessarily need a bike worth close to 5L on-road.
Any idea of how much KTMs generally cost to service/maintain? Fuel economy expectations is around 25-30kmpl

[TheHelix0202]

Originally Posted by just_amyth

The S is definitely more than a bit of a stretch in terms of budget because to me, I don't think I necessarily need a bike worth close to 5L on-road.
Any idea of how much KTMs generally cost to service/maintain? Fuel economy expectations is around 25-30kmpl

That seals the deal then. Go for the Adv X.

I'm 6'2, and grabbed one after owning the first gen Adv and GT 650. The 3rd gen Duke with its 800mm seat that panders to the masses is too cramped for me. And KTM doesn't sell the Powerpart seat easily.

Service costs are very reasonable for the 390s. You won't cross 6k per service with timely maintenance. Fuel economy is something I have to check after the break-in is completed. Right now, I got a full tank of 285 km since taking delivery of the bike (I reckon it'll do another 30 odd km).

My older Adv had a tank range of ~ 400 km. The LC4C should give around 300-350km.

[amyntor]

Originally Posted by TheHelix0202

And KTM doesn't sell the Powerpart seat easily.

They do actually. Mention the part number and ask your local KTM service centre to source it for you.

Or buy it from here, if you don't mind paying extra, when it is back in stock.
https://mysparemarket.com/products/f...ku_id=58610158