This KTM's Duke 390 Adventure is a motorcycle built well for a sport tourer that can take on a fair amount of off-beat trails.
There are a plenty of information online and several reviews already being done as on date. Here is another perspective when dealing with this motorcycle. Nothing technical, just simple point of view from an average person in his mid 40's who enjoys riding a bicycle or motorcycle.
So let's just quickly go over some key elements from head to toe...err...tyre.
The KTM's Duke 390 Adventure is based on the 390 Duke. Same trellis frame and engine, just taller and with more electronics. The matt color finish bodywork works well for this motorcycle.
Cockpit
While the overall appearance is fine, there is this small twitch of hesitation to liking or not-liking the pointy headlight that is so typical of KTM design. Given what the bike offers, one would eventually either ignore or grow to like the headlight design. Shrowded within the wind shield is a clean cockpit viewed top to bottom in the sequence starting from GPS mount followed by the dashboard, the 12v charging unit and ending with the ignition key/bike lock.
Handlebar
The right hand-side of handlebar houses the engine kill switch, electric starter. Missed here is the headlight off/low/hight switch that was on the earlier model of the Duke. Considering the tropical climate here, an all day running headlight would seems wastful, hence would have preferred the switch.
Whereas, the left hand-side of handlebar has a lot more going on now. The trigger type pass switch for overtaking - activated by the index finger doesn't fall natural & smoothly within finger reach when compared to the earlier model of the Duke 390. Meanwhile, the thumb has more work to handle - directional switches to navigate through the dashboard 5" TFT display to select between the riding modes and connectivity features. Below this is the turn indicator switches followed by the horn press button.
Seating
Seating is more upright and definitely softer than the older version of the KTM Duke 390. Pillion seat is an improvement from the older version. Seat height is at 855mm. It's high if compared to RE Himalayan or Hero Xpulse. Short riders would find this unsettling and something to complain about. Note - if this seat height is high, clearly you ain't tall enough. Work with it or move on.
Person sitting on the KTM Duke 390 Adventure seen in the picture above is of height 5'11". Note that when sitting on the bike, both feet are comfortably planted to the ground. For those who are 5'9" to 6'2" in height will find this motorcycle just apt. Stand over on the footpegs of the motorcycle and the rider would have a slight lean forward holding onto the handlebars. Add in 1" handlebar riser to sort it out.
| For sake of comparison | Duke 390 Adv | Duke 390 | Hero Xpulse | RE Himalayan |
| Seat height (mm) | 855 | 830 | 823 | 800 |
Underseat layout is pretty much clearly laid out similar to its naked counterpart. The annoyance came about in the pillion hand grab rails. When attempting to pass one leg over to sit on the motorcycle, the shin or the knee would hit sides of the grab rails. It's so broad that one could slip a hand upto the fore-arm in through there. Should have term this hand grab rails as pillion bottom grabbers instead.
Tank & Engine
The engine is pretty much the same as that on the Duke 390. Lightweight and powerful. Altough, it is'nt mental and exciting as the first version of the Duke 390s, but more relaxed and composed. The superb power to weight ratio is still what makes the KTM Duke much in demand. The extras comes in with the additions of the EVAP system for the bigger 15 litre fuel tank, two cat-convertors for better fuel efficiency and exhaust emmission standards, slipper clutch to put ease to and assist the two fingers that are constantly working on the clutch lever and then there's the Ride by wire process to provide optimum & efficient throttle output.
| For sake of comparison | Duke 390 Adv | Duke 390 | Hero Xpulse | RE Himalayan |
| Displacement (cc) | 373 | 373 | 199.6 | 411 |
| Torque (Nm) | 37 | 37 | 16.45 | 32 |
| Weight (kg) | 158 | 150 | 157 | 200 |
| Tank capacity (ltr) | 14.5 | 13.4 | 13 | 15 |
Suspension
Front suspension is WP Apex 43mm fork with 170mm of travel when compared to 142mm on the Duke 390. Indian version of this motorcycle have unfortunately omitted the front suspension damping & rebound adjustment to keep the price in check. This instead of Cornering ABS & Traction controls would've been preferred. WP APEX Monoshock suspension at the rear. Front n' back all good.
| For sake of comparison | Duke 390 Adv | Duke 390 | Hero Xpulse | RE Himalayan |
| Suspension travel (mm) | 170 | 142 | 190 | 200 |
Brakes & Tyres
Just as in the suspension, the brakes on the Duke 390 Adventure are just fine. A disc brake diameter of 320mm front and 230mm rear. Besides the regular ABS, there's the new addition of the off-road ABS wherein the ABS is deactivated for the rear wheel and reduced on the front wheel. In simple terms, regulating the front wheel braking for better steering and stopping off-road. And then there's also the Cornering ABS that can be turned off for off-road conditions. The off-road & Cornering ABS could've been skipped, but not complaining that it's there.
The front 19" x 2.5" rim and rear 17" x 3.5" rim cast wheels to hold tubeless tyres, are holding on pretty good. There was this banter online that the Duke 390 Adventure should have come with spoked wheels instead. This motorcycle is a sport tourer and it's Continental TKC 70 tubeless tyres work similar to Metzeler Tourance (as on BMW 310GS). Works just fine on tarmac and off-road.
Ground Clearance
The KTM Duke 390 Adventure certainly has the ground clearance increased compared to its naked counterpart Duke 390 by 15mm, but that's just half an inch. Here's the bug - down right under. Would have been much of an advantage if ground clearance was on par with atleast the Hero Xpulse if not the Hero Impulse which is at 245mm (i.e., 9.64" off ground).
| For sake of comparison | Duke 390 Adv | Duke 390 | Hero Xpulse | RE Himalayan |
| Ground clearance (mm) | 200 | 185 | 220 | 220 |
Here's the important part. A question asked in the mind but more often that not difficult to answer.
Do you buy this motorcycle....IF
- Question: It's your first motorcycle.
Answer: Nope. - Question: You can't have both feet on ground when seated on stationary Duke 390 Adv.
Answer: No, unless you know how to work around it. - Question: You own a Duke 390, but want a switch to the Duke 390 Adv.
Answer: Currently owned Duke 390 isn't in good condition, sure. Else hold onto the cash. - Question: You own/ride a 100-200cc but want to upgrade to the Duke 390 adv.
Answer: Sure, but only if you NEED a bike that's good for long distance touring. - Question: You want to explore lots of off-road trails.
Answer: Sure but the Hero Xpulse would do better. Simple and nearly half the price of KTM Duke 390 Adv. - Question: You want it as a daily commuter too.
Answer: Sure, it could work as a daily commuter too. However daily commute makes sense with good mileage which this motorcycle doesn't give. If daily commute is 10km or less, nothing beats a good bicycle.
Note: If you have money, time and want this motorcycle, then there is nothing stopping you. The above questions n' answers would hold no significance to such a person.
Conclusion
A nimble motorcycle with enough power required to comfortably take on travel and touring was already there with the KTM Duke 390. All it required was higher ground clearance, larger fuel tank, higher set exhaust end can and tougher touring tyres (in lieu of the grippy Metzelers). After years of hear-says of yes, no & maybe to make what people wanted, it was made a reality. It had what was needed plus the extra electronics. Start of January 2020 saw the launch/sale of the KTM Duke 390 Adventure. All to be had for an on-road price of INR 3.5 lakhs.
KTM Duke 390 Adventure is a well balanced motorcycle built for touring. Clearly built as a sport tourer, it beats the BMW 310 GS successfully. For the price and what this motorcycle offers, there is no competition. A good package that's hard to say no to.
More details can be read up on KTM's official website page for the model KTM Duke 390 Adventure listed under the 'Travel' category amongst others.
P.S. Almost forgot, the sari guard is angled dangerously close to the rear wheel. That's barely one finger gap. Sooner it's taken off, the better.
