KTM 390 Adventure Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Is a big adventure possible on KTM's smallest adventure bike? Donovan rides to the wilds of the Free State in search of snow and answers.
Videography and thumbnail image by Meghan McCabe: megmccabephotography
Produced by Full Access Media (Pty) Ltd
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Filmed in South Africa. Prices in South African Rands and may differ in other countries.
You know people go around the world on bicycles, foot, wheelchairs - so stop the crap about can you tour or have an adventure on a small bike? - FFS.
I really hope KTM adds a R version of this platform....I feel like they will sell a bunch more R's than the regular adventure similar to the 790.
Of course you can tour on a small bike! It's only the media that continually pushes the sham that you need a hugely powerful bike with space age electronic to travel down to the supermarket and mount the kerb when parking the bike.
Back in the day I toured much of Western Europe on a Honda CB360, two up with full luggage and that had a massive 34bhp (25.35kw).
Exactly - you can use whatever you got.
Nicely said sir.
I'm new to motorcycles. But from what I can piece together, the bike is never the limiting factor. You are. People have gone from Europe to East Asia, on 30 year-old 250 enduro bikes. What smaller bikes generally lack is good equipment (brakes, suspension, adjustment and the like) but this KTM is different that everything else in the segment
But what if there is gravel on the way to Starbucks?
@@nutmagnet22 then you have to go with a SUV. Preferably a 1.5 dizel
The cb500x is an abvious alternative, no?
Definitely--I've seen plenty of reviews on the cb 500 x, and especially if you can pop for the rally raid suspension upgrades, you have a smooth, competent bike on road and one you can have quite a bit of fun with off road as long as the trails are not super technical single tracks. Plus, you have that Honda reliability and ability to get it serviced just about anywhere you could be.
Sorry, but we don't get that model in SA. At least not yet, anyway.
CB500x just lacks TC.
DEFINETLY NO
30kgs more weight, this one is better off road. But the 500x is a very nice bike too!
Hi guys, great video again. Thank you. Please please please do comparative test between the KTM 390ADV, BMW 310GS and KAWASAKI VERSYS X. Honestly believe this class has the potential to be an everything bike. You can tour on and offroad on all of them and they are VERY approachable for novice and older riders.
PS and knowing Golden Gate like the back of my hand I find it quite amusing seeing you going in circles pretending to be going up some mountain.
You mean to say a bike journalist, or any journalist for that matter, wasn't being honest or misrepresenting the facts? Shock, horror. Bit like showing riding through snow at 00:58 to keep you hooked but not actually finding any.
I considered this bike 2 months ago but then went for the Honda Africa Twin instead. I made a mistake and should have bought this KTM 390 Adventure. I love my Africa Twin, it’s an amazing bike! But ... here in New Zealand the max speed limit is 100, so the KTM would still be overkill. And then main reason - well I’m very new to off road and so I have had to pick that heavy Africa Twin up 3 times in one very slippery clay trail attempt. Damn! That Africa Twin is heavy on crash number 3. The KTM 390 would have been better 😏 oh well, I do love my Africa Twin, but this KTM would have been a winner.
Blame the media for sucking you in to thinking you need these huge, heavy and electronically laden bikes.
MrC InTheUK ... I hate the media but cannot blame them here. I went from having VTR1000’s and CBR1000RR’s to the Africa Twin 1000. So having 1000cc road bikes I thought this would be great, and it is, but the little KTM 390 Adventure for what I want to do would have been better.
@@lancealbon46 Fair enough 👍
@@lancealbon46 Did you end up trading for a 390adv?
@@reinhart482 - no, still have the Africa Twin. Trying to just increase my skill levels with it. I think I'll lose too much with a trade in on the 390KTM.
Didn’t realize you were in ZA, as soon as I saw that sky line it took me back to the years I spent there after high school. Didn’t realize how much I miss that place!
I take it you guys have never heard of the Honda CB500X?
Sorry, but we don't get that model in SA. At least not yet, anyway.
I am anxious for the phone in your pocket, Lol! Great video, though!
Took mine on a 9 hour drive to a cabin in the Colorado mountains. Did well. I added a more cushy seat, sidebags, and larger windscreen. Once on the cabin, it was a blast to drive on mountain tracks. It usuallyvis a town commuter, fun at tgat, fun for weekends in mountains, and did okay in a long drive. Dio get a more cushy seat uf you plan onvlongcdrives. I love this little bike!
Small bikes are fun ... when you ridind by yourself 🤔 or , your riding buddy's all got the same size bikes ..
Did this trip and more , a few times on my KLR 650 , and the only time it was not fun ... is when one is trying to keep up with mates , with big adventure bikes..
Would, I ever go small capacity again 🤔 ??
Nah , thanks ... but , no tanks !
Nice , review though.. 👍🏻
Where can’t you keep up with bigger ADV bikes? I can easily keep up on this bike. With proper tires I sometimes lead the pack off road
@@steves6614 ditto , I've added Wilbro suspension front and upgraded rear shock and plenty more ..
Let's face it , small capacity bikes are nice ... but, so is a cuppa tea !
Some people think they the best thing since slice bread , suppose... everyone for them selves 👍🏻✌🏻
Bloody hell I was panicking about your phone about to fall out of your jacket pocket!
since we saw the KTM motogp bike,
Shout out to Brad Binder !
I used to own a Honda NX4, not too known in the rest of the world, but in south america, particularly in Argentina and Brazil , it is very popular. Similar concept, single cylinder, 400 cc, Adv bike. I made 100.000 km on that before selling it last year. I did travel, commuting, long trips.. The size and concept is great, especially in 3rd world countries where Adv bikes can get really expensive and not too many can afford them. It was my first bike to have, and to date it will be my first choice to do it all over again. I dont think the concept of the KTM 390 is wrong, is the implementation of it and cost that worries me. I am waiting for them to arrive here, so that I can test one. Love the video. Cheers.
Enjoyed the review, thank you. Loved the snow angel too 😂
This is a beautiful motorcycle review. Really well done! South Africa is much prettier than I had ever thought.
Good review. Wonder if u lost your phone at all. Just about falling out of your right pocket. lol.
Would like a Royal Enfiel Hamilayan but here in SA we do not know what's going on with Royal Enfield, as they have one here that's for homologation, but in homologation for almost 2 years now
Oh, brother. Even if you could, please do not buy a Royal Enfield bike. There are huge reliability issues with those bikes. Tje features are stone-age.
Snow angels. Haha. You musta froze your ass off up there.
Woah there, Donovan. I don't know where you're getting your information from, but we Indians do love our bikes to have really good brakes. It's just that the manufacturers ignore the Indian motorcycle enthusiasts and make bikes for the masses here. We get all kind of shitty bikes here. We don't even get the adjustable front suspension here in India on the 390 Adventure.
I may be wrong , but it seems some prices are lower too ?
Has KTM addressed the issue concerning its 390 motor blowing head gaskets?
Tom Quinn their business is to sell bikes, not make them reliable.
Bib dreams about it being warm enough to go riding on dry roads in the middle of winter...
Snow angel 😂😂😂🔥🔥 what a cool video 🔥
I live in England...we rarely get white Christmas's here either. 2 in 57 years for me....
Is that all? I've never counted.
Excellent video thanks guys!
a 490 twin would be epic!
It's coming in 2022
A great watch really I'm interested in touring with a lightweight adventure bike. Sold my Multistrada as I was finding it a real chore due to weight and height.
Should never have sold my NC750X I toured all over europe on it 18,000 miles in just over 12 months
I've narrowed my choice for a Ducati replacement down to a CB500X and the KTM 390 after watching this the 390 is looking to be a great bike.
I've test ridden the CB500 so got to find a local dealer for a test ride on the 390.
What did you go for in the end?
@@richfromlondon3254 I went for a 650 Kawasaki Versys, not done a tremendous amount of miles on it yet due to lockdown. But the saddle is comfortable and it goes better than a 650 deserves too. Looking forward to being able to go touring the UK on it in a couple of months. I think it be a while before we get to play in Europe.
@@110adventures7 interesting choice! I'll look into that one. And I agree - might be a while until we can go into mainland Europe for some bike fun. A UK tour it shall be :)
Have KTM ironed out all the problems the 390 Duke had? It looks good. Why does it struggle in the thinner air? It's fuel injected. CB500X? Or is a 471 cc engine not regarded as small enough?
Sorry, but we don't get that model in SA. At least not yet, anyway.
@@matdurrans3361 Cheers, Mat.
EFI can keep the fuel-air mix correct in thin air, but you need a turbo to ram more thin air in and keep the power up.
Great review! How tall are you? I really like that bike but maybe its to high for me…I’m 171.cm. What do you think?
The Indian variant gets the quickshifter plus and auto blipper as standard. But skips upon the front adjustable suspensions.. And in kmph it can touch 178kmph max on Indian road...rpm at 10k
Hi Don, nice work and shame you didn’t find much snow. However fantastic views of the country you live in. Here in the Uk it’s winter but that’s just means cold and wet. KTM looks like a properly sorted bike, any views on any aftermarket mods that might release a few more bhp?
You're good man. Revzilla should hire you as their South African correspondent.
A fun and entertaining yet comprehensive review Donovan put some big smiles on my dail, great little bike.
7000km service interval means that I'll need to time my service to fit in between tours.
people in
India don't like sharp brakes .......is not true , actual reason is we get the "budget range" of Brembos called "BYBRE" which is technically brembos but their sub brand's products , these are cheaper to fit on budget bikes so bikes are more affordable , without harming the image of premium Brembos parts
Can I put a polite request in to have the second go on the KTM MotoGP bike after Matt?
KTM 390 Adventure amazing bike, #TyagiRider
It can - I did 600km over 2 days on a Husqvarna 401 - through dirt trails/ fire roads and pavement.
What was your setup? Which model 401?
@@marksharman8029 Stock Svartpilen 401, highway speeds of 145km/h, dirt trails (not crazy single track) and fire roads - no problem. Gas tank is a bit small so whenever you see a station - fill it up!
@@johnpark6138 So even the tyres were standard?
Mark Sharman yes sir - but they seem to have worn very quickly after the highway run
@@johnpark6138 yeah often original types do that. Your journey would have been interesting on number of levels. I am interested in a return to the old journeys of my youth. Nearly always on a single between 250-500cc. I recently met a Korean man traveling NZ on Suzuki 650 single. He traveled light thinking 2-3 days ahead, accepting hospitality along the way.
I want 390 adventure plidz gift 47slep
The Rally’s suspension is too soft on the 250 and the new 300
Great video!
Wow that scenery is absolutely breathtaking!
That's not snow, just frozen mist, or morning dew
How is this compared to the zontes 310 t2?
Finding that "snow" cracked me up
No view 1 like
TH-cam is drunk
😵😵
👍🏻
We have similar weather in San Diego.
Love these good old boys from the old world :-)
2:10
i thought ktm detuned the 373engine to comply with emissions... ADV is less powerful than the Duke, no?
So the Duke doesn’t comply with emissions?
@@tnargs57 4 years old +- so earlier emission spec ?
No chinese bike like the zontes?
Watching from India
Nice work Don.
I found an issue with the CRF.
It was being VERY light and had long travel suspension, it was able to get to 120kmh but at those speeds it feels VERY unsteady and unstable. Not to mention strained (at sea level)
That's where more planted bikes like the X300, G310 and KTM390 have it nipped (on the road at least), this is a touring review isn't it...
As usual, all good bikes, but what are you using it for...
What was the CRF like for buzzy pegs and bars at 110-120?
@@tnargs57 sorry for the slow reply.
It's been a while now, so can't remember that well. But if it was that bad I would have remembered, so let me say no.
Only thing was the wondering front end. But it was quite windy that day too
Thanks for replying, appreciated. I have heard mixed reports about buzzy foot pegs at high speeds, and I’m a bit sensitive to it, so I am asking whoever I can find. Thanks again
The versus 300x is very good at speed but possibly the worst bike ever made when it comes to cross winds. Its scary as hell
🌬❄❄❄
👨👩👧 ❤
👌
Did you get lost?? Fouriesburg is past Clarens coming from Joburg
Only if you're coming from Harrismith. Otherwise it's merely a detour.
The bike is struggeling due to the mass it has to carry :-).
You’re brutal😱
Off-road circus bear.
The 390 is an Indian and South American commuter bike made to look like an Adv bike. Same as the GS310. Use it for that and its a great bike.
We all know you're a troll! Hope you're still enjoying South America, mate.
@@IgnitionBikeShow but I am an honest troll 🥴😊😉
Yes, all good here, just sitting watching you buggers riding around in envy, we are not allowed to ride around at all the last 5 months.
Keep these clips coming, it is my daily soul food 🤟🏻😁
This is NOT the bike people wanted. We all want the 390 motor in a EXC-F frame. Wish I could work on the KTM design team. I'd take a new 500 EXC-F...fire up the cutting torch...cut the 500cc motor out...fire up the welder...weld the 390 motor in its place. It be a CRF450L killer! It have 3000 mile oil changes! It would be super fun! Also, I'd sale it for less than $7k, in the U.S., out the door!!!! KTM would have 100% market share for adventure/enduro!!! Is anyone listening?
They used the 450 Rally frame, so not complaining.
"Disappointingly the sun is out" *Cries in British