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Why and how I bought a KTM 390 Adventure Rally: Initial experience

22nd August 2023, 15:42 by Utkarsh Chaudhary

Based on my needs, I had shortlisted various motorcycles including the Royal Enfield Classic 350, Himalayan, Interceptor 650, Honda CB350, etc.

BHPian Biker_Ajax recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello Everyone! This is about the journey from the decision to buy a new bike to 500 km of ownership.

Loyal Wingman

I have been passionate about photography & just riding off to new places around every weekend & something new to explore. Did a lot of it on the trusty 19 yr old Pulsar 150 clocking over 80k km through dirt, mud, rocks, rains, heat & 15-20 hr overnight rides just to reach a spot.

But realised it took me more time & effort riding to reach the place with the 150cc than exploring once I reach it. It started showing its battle scars & age, but even now stands proudly having that soft click of first gear & roaring for more! Perfect loyal wingman!

New Bike Hunting

1yr back I decided to move on to a new bike. Sat down with a pen-paper & started making a list of requirements.

Budget: Mind fixes the budget, limited it to 3L. Heart was pushing for a sub-7L choice. Maybe something in between if it checks all requirements!
Capacity: With the aim to push at 110-120 kmph without bursting the engine made it a 350cc (a 650cc if within budget).
Reliability: Did not want a bike which is under repair 3 days a week or requires persistent investment just to make it run. Something that pushes on & on without major issues stopping the journey (small niggles always pop in every bike).
Comfort & Safety: Enjoying the journey is equally fun as reaching the destination SAFELY. Riding 6-12 hrs in comfort. Handle innumerable senseless drivers. Braking, ABS, traction control (if a bike gives it within budget), good suspension for long fast highway cruises to rough roads & trails and bright illumination.
Fun to Ride: Have that punch to push it in between long rides to zip around safely. Not a long sedated monotonous engine lugging long.
After-sale support & servicing: Getting one is not everything, wide support network, servicing ethic & quality, affordable parts to replace & knowledge of staff to solve issues.

With this in mind made the second list of bikes that fall within this category. Did a lot of research online to visit motorcycle group spots & taking firsthand experience. The list is in sequence:

Classic 350

Every Indian since childhood dreams of this bike. Before we plan schooling and naukri we have had plans to own a RE Classic. Then riding with a few Classics owners along- regular breakdowns of different systems, and guys having to prepare bikes 2 days in advance for a long breakfast ride made me sad. Extremely poor quality control & finishing. Many would argue that the new RE has a better finish, but the fitting of it falls off soon. Not what I want.

Then came the HORROR STORY. Going with friends to drop their REs for repair made me experience its after-sales service! Poor customer treatment & arrogant behaviour of service staff to "chalta hai attitude" just repelled me from RE. No customer asks for gold & silver, just basic bike repair yet the way they treat customers & work on motorcycles was shocking.

Poor quality control, beyond the horrible attitude of service staff & regular breakdown of small things, made me cross it off.

Himalayan

Brilliant bike! But the same RE issues as mentioned above. Crossed it off the list. RE made a rugged bike just as per my needs but I experienced that servicing happens on the personal relationship of the customer with that particular RE service station. What I felt is Good Quality of work is not a work ethic at RE. Crossed it off the list.

Honda Hness CB350

Whole world can be wrong in everything, but the Japanese cannot be wrong in engine technology! I don't think anyone will disagree. What a marvellous engine, the quality finish & fit, the engineering common sense to small things done keeping the rider in mind (except the position of the horn switch, hardly a matter).

Took test drive more than a couple of times, firsthand experience of riders & online reviews. Good comfort, safety, high reliability & budget. I came close to an inch from buying it. Only matter was, BigWing Showrooms only? Availability of spares if & when anything required? I won't be in a city with BigWing (job requirement). Honda should have ensured a strong spare supply chain. Moved on to check more, still not crossing it off the list.

Interceptor

RE experience, immediately off. Though it is the best bang for the buck for a 650cc. But as I feel it's not for long rides. At least I won't be able to.

Yezdi Adventure

Took multiple test rides. Lot of discussion with the dealership. Not many on the road, yet found a couple of riders. Review was - go for it, but maintenance will be mostly from local shops. Not so great after-sales support. Also, some gut feelings did not agree with it (I may be wrong, just what I felt). Would have been a half-hearted buy. Sheepishly crossed it.

Honda CB500X

If I were to go with my heart only, I would have got it just that day! Even with Hness holding back of mind, this checked almost all. But, then the brain woke up. Budget, buddy! That held me back. Just as everyone says, even I agree, it is overpriced for what it is! And support at BigWing only. I had a deal for second-hand 500X at 5.2L (negotiable), but being to Ladakh 3 times & a side collision history - no!

Versys 650

A Japanese marvel again! School time friend managed it for a spin & what a beauty! Oh, it set my heart on fire! Comfort, power, safety - I was hypnotised by V650 that day. But, V650 does not have the nature to take it off the road (not comparing it to an offroad bike). Highways it will rule, can do a light trail only maybe. My requirement was also some off-the-road rough areas. Visit to the dealership, inputs from the owner & some riders, the regular normal maintenance will lighten my wallet. For that pleasure, one has to pay.

KTM

Honestly, it was never on my mind or my list. Over a few drinks with my boss discussing bikes, cars, LOTR & photography (good to have a cool boss), he suggested I give 390 Adv a try. Never had an encounter with KTM owners / riders, so it was an unexplored territory for me.

Started my homework. Finding owners for reviews, reading through reviews here & videos, showroom visits etc. First visit to the KTM showroom was at KTM Gurgaon Opp sec 14, MG Road sometime in June end. Sat down with Mr Ravi to discuss my requirements, bikes I have explored, & issues I am worried & particular about, costing, service etc- all the page-long questions I had. He heard me patiently & called for a test ride bike. His only line was, take a test ride & then we may discuss more after. I had only gone to check it out, understand the network, and the nature of the dealership, visit to its service station later & just observe, but got a test ride too. No showroom had given me this much time, heard & understood me & given a test ride on the first visit (not even RE).

KTM 390 Adventure First Experience

Height - As expected, it is tall. I'm 5.10 (77kg) & can touch both toes down. Shifted on the seat a bit and my full foot is firmly on the ground. That gave me the confidence, I can handle it (against the deal-breaker hype I had heard of).
Posture & Comfort - Wide handlebars, upright triangle, tall. After I sat on the bike I was above Mr Ravi when he was standing. Wow! Kind of view one would get being in an SUV. It has a dominating posture. Seat is wide, did like that. But let's check more. Requested Mr Ravi to mount as I sat as a pillion. Wide seat again! As I am expecting a pillion rider couple of times. Hard seat as many say! The fuel tank is tapered towards the seat and that allowed me to hold the tank.
Weight - Where is the weight? After being on Classic, Himalayan & CB500X - 390 Adv is light. This was least expected. This was good for my needs. More was how this would hold in traffic, trails & off track to reach where I want to be!
Quality, fit & finish - Lot better than RE, better than Bajaj bikes, but cannot match Honda. Kind of in between. The tactile feel of the switches was good. Paint job- good quality, at least I did not expect it this good from KTM (with zero experience with KTM before). Plastic quality was good. Not the cheap flimsy plastics that would crack. Wiring- this is all over the bike. On seeing KTM I could see wires, wires & engine! Honda has a good wiring discipline. KTM has to learn this. Open connections! Wiring quality is fair, but discipline is not good for the price point they want.
Test Ride - Thoughts in first 5 seconds- bit vibey, bit I say. It is there! Cannot deny it. Could flick it around, manoeuvre through the bad road roads on that stretch & zip through traffic! I loved this nature of the bike. Got a smile on me! It ACCELERATES! Instant response to my throttle inputs- no lag. Front brake bites. WOW! I did another test ride after a couple of weeks. Met a few riders, had my boss get me his friend's reviews, read more, another ride.
Final Decision - Going to that first page I made, my requirements, highway cruise to bad village roads to trails, adjustable suspension made sense. Std to Rally cost difference was not much. Either Adv X or Rally sounded like a good choice. So, Rally it is!

With BH registration, that initial full payment was saved. I could get my insurance as I want & was not forced by the showroom. Saved a bit there. Was coming to 3.9L. That fit close to the budget. Reliability- Yes! Will hold me for days of riding without any major issues or breakdowns. Heard & read a lot about good servicing experience! Affordable to maintain & widely available accessories (though I believe keep it OEM) This all was heartening. Comfort- Firm seats, will check more on that over some time. Safety- Got all the technology that one gets in >10L bikes. And it helps, someday it will save a life once, that's all that's needed, once & it has paid its due (as I learnt later).

Buying Experience

Finally booked the bike with a 5k payment. Fixed the date of 04th August.
Before payment & all photographs wanted a PDI, detailed one. Took 45 min to scan every inch of the bike. Showroom was cooperative in every small thing I checked & questioned & never displayed any what a pain I am attitude.
Once satisfied payment was hassle free, yet the paperwork took too long. Thankfully had company along & the pillion was more excited than I was!
Finally could ride out of the showroom calling it MY BIKE by 5PM.
No matter how much we grow, we still have a child in us, that childish smile was there.

Riding Experience till 500 km

First Ride - Fuel at nearest petrol station & went for puja. Pillion had already decided where, so went there! It could handle the Delhi outer ring road evening traffic effortlessly! Such lightweight. Could push it with both feet down in the bumper traffic. Clutch is not as light, something to keep in mind.
Presence - That KTM orange, additional Rally paint scheme is a head turner. It stands out as everyone got a glance at it. Besides other vehicles, the tall stance makes me feel a little high in the air too. Loved these 500 km with head turning every time I take it out.
Keeping the revs low - keeping it under 6000 RPM (though the manual says 7500). Even though by 5000 I could reach 80kmph with such ease! It is hungry for more, it calls your soul to rev & push more. Had to remind myself to relax. Such power to weight ratio is pleasing.
Getting into Neutral - Has been a pain since day one. I thought that maybe it will get easy after 100-200 km once I run the gears more. Even by 500km now, neutral is not falling in. Takes a lot of moving 1st-2nd gear to find it. Somehow, when I am at slow speeds at 2nd gear & going to stop then it falls in smoothly. However, once I have stopped, neutral just does not fall in! Any guidance on this will help, please.
Lights - Felt kind of okay-ish for city rides / highways / less illuminated lanes. This is with my limited experience with it. Yet to take it away into dark roads. Had to adjust the light throw downwards- the high beam was pointing at the stars!

FE so far

The first top up after 200 kms (100 with pillion & 100 alone. Highway-city 50-50) Got a FE of 30 kmpl with RPM upto 5500 & 85 kmph.

Next filling was after another 200 kms (100 pillion & 100 alone. Highway 70-city 30) Got FE of 34.9 kmph with RPM upto 5500 & 80-100 kmph! Sounds so good.

The FE shown on TFT is kind of accurate to what I calculated post refuelling!

TFT-30.3 / Actual-30.51

TFT-34.9 / Actual-34.28 (mostly highway ride)

Vibrations - Below 3000 RPM there are vibes all over. Higher the RPM more subtle / smoothen they get. I felt 4000-5000 is kind of sweet spot. 5000-5500 RPM gives a smoother touch. Not gone beyond 6000 so far.
Low End Torque - Going over tall pointy speed bumps will need 1st gear. The long smooth speed bumps needed 2nd gear. But then to pull ahead give more rev. Not the one which can do speed-bumps on 3rd gear that RE can do. Heavy traffic is 1st gear only & slow moving is 2nd gear only. RE's low-end torque is a different league above! This bike is meant for highways, high revs. Even on the bit 10km trail I tried, higher speed & high rev gave a better experience than slow speed. It is a bike on high adrenaline. Kind of liked this nature over the slow I used to go so far. Will have to learn this technique, not so experienced in taking trails fast!
Seat Comfort - Knew it was hard, not stone hard. I always take a break after 1.5hr for myself to stretch & twist the back & legs plus a chai. Just that now the bottoms will be more numb than before, longer breaks now. Will sure have to get an air comfy seat for those long-duration rides planned. Somehow, pillion seemed more comfy with less pain than I was feeling!
Adjustable suspension - It's a boon. We have to pay for it & we get the results. Front can be adjusted within a minute, rear say 10 mins. Complete change of riding experience! It is such a good feeling to adjust comfort & riding experience as per our needs that time, road condition, style we ride & tailor as per personal comfort & requirement. On the highway, I once tried the soft settings at the rear & it gets bouncy to make me feel uncomfortable gut feel & touch. Changed it to hard for a less bouncy front & rear.

Life-Saving Braking on First Ride - Experience

Went for a photoshoot to Leopards Trail. Last I went was 1.5yr back. Unfortunately not the nature trail anymore but a party spot. Pillion & I went there after a long ride at 7AM. At 40 kmph while a small car & an SUV behind us blasting party music. So loud that we could not hear each other talking forget hearing any vehicle around the turn ahead. Coming to a turn 50 meters ahead, young kids with 4 on one motorcycle & group of 3 such bikes came out of turn fast (must be at 60-70kmph) & they lost control with one bike coming head-on while the other at the center of the lane. Left side had a downfall ditch so no option to go off the road there while other bikes were on the right, so had no way to go but stop.

Had to apply all brakes fully & the bike STOPPED immediately in a couple of metres! Never did it skid or balanced off to one side, or lock (though we were only at 40 kmph). A chill through our spines as they grazed past us & SUV getting a cracked windshield due to a bottle that the kids threw at it. This Sunday realised how life-saving the braking & technology is on this bike.

Accessories - Viaterra Stand Extension. Sturdy & holding good for now when parked on soft ground. Bobo phone mount. For now, mounted it on the handlebar, will shift to its proper place in a couple of days.
Windblast - Lots of it above 70kmph. High position of the windshield does not help much. Can feel the blast from the neck above straight on the helmet. Not a fan of long bulky heavy Windshields. Maybe an extender? Any suggestions on a specific model / company, please?

Road Ahead

Rides Together - Hope to catch up with fellow riders on the rides. Good bike & good company makes a ride perfect.
Neutral Issue - Hoping that I can get the issue of neutral not falling in place sorted out. Am I doing something incorrect or it takes more than 500 km to get the gear into neutral?
First Service - may come up by next weekend. Any tips, advice, suggestions, points to keep in mind? Motorex oil rather than Motul? Planning to remove the saree guard.

Attaching some photos from that first ride (could not do much with that experience & unhealthy crowd at the location)