• All-new platform transforms the 390 into a true off-road adventure bike
• 21/18 wheels and 230mm suspension travel boost serious dirt capability
• Lightweight, capable and affordable entry into KTM’s “R” range

KTM has completely rethought its smallest adventure bike with the arrival of the 390 Adventure R, transforming what was once a road-leaning lightweight ADV into something much closer to a proper off-road machine. The previous 390 Adventure, launched in 2019, was heavily based on the Duke 390 platform and was often criticised for prioritising road manners over genuine off-road ability. The new generation flips that script, bringing KTM’s hardcore “R” philosophy—normally reserved for the 890 and 1290 Adventure R models—down into the lightweight class. This is the bike the 390 Adventure should have been from the start.

Instead of simply updating the existing bike, KTM has created a new platform built around the latest 390 Duke architecture. The range is now split into two models: the more affordable 390 Adventure X, aimed at road-biased riders, and the 390 Adventure R, designed for riders who want a serious, lightweight adventure machine capable of tackling difficult terrain. The R model brings longer suspension travel, off-road wheel sizes and a more aggressive chassis setup to match its rally-inspired styling. This puts it directly up against bikes like the CFMOTO 450MT and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450.

A major change is the move to a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheel combination, replacing the previous model’s 19/17 setup and dramatically improving off-road capability. The R also receives long-travel WP Apex suspension with around 230 mm of travel at both ends, fully adjustable at the front and with preload and rebound adjustment at the rear. That represents a significant step up from the outgoing model and gives the bike the kind of suspension performance expected from a true off-road-focused adventure machine. 

Engine & Performance Background

Power comes from KTM’s latest 399 cc LC4c single-cylinder engine, the same unit used in the latest 390 Duke. The liquid-cooled motor produces around 44–45 horsepower and 39 Nm of torque, delivered through a six-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch. The engine is managed by ride-by-wire throttle and Bosch electronics, enabling KTM to offer multiple riding modes and modern rider aids even in this lightweight class. 

Despite the increase in displacement over the previous 373cc engine, KTM’s focus hasn’t been on outright power gains but rather improved rideability and electronics integration. The result is an engine that still has the lively, rev-happy character typical of KTM singles, but with torque arriving slightly earlier in the rev range, something that should help when riding off-road. 

Chassis & Adventure Credentials

Underneath the rally-style bodywork is a steel trellis frame with a removable subframe, designed to handle both touring loads and off-road punishment. KTM claims a wet weight of around 176 kg, making the 390 Adventure R one of the lightest bikes in the adventure segment. That low weight, combined with the tall suspension and narrow bodywork, is intended to make the bike far easier to manage in technical terrain than larger adventure machines. 

The suspension upgrade is arguably the biggest leap forward over the previous model. With 230mm of travel front and rear, the WP Apex setup gives the bike significantly more capability when tackling rocky trails, sand and rutted tracks. The move to tube-type spoked wheels also allows the use of more aggressive off-road tyres, further reinforcing the bike’s shift toward serious dirt performance. 

Electronics & Features

KTM has also equipped the 390 Adventure R with an impressive electronics package for a bike in this class. Standard equipment includes multiple riding modes, switchable traction control and cornering ABS, with the option to disable the rear ABS for off-road riding. A TFT display with smartphone connectivity and navigation functionality further reinforces the bike’s modern credentials. 

The design reflects KTM’s rally heritage, with a tall windscreen, slim bodywork and narrow seat that makes it easier to stand on the pegs when riding off-road. The seat height of around 870mm gives the bike good ground clearance but may be a stretch for shorter riders. 

Real Adventure Machine?

On paper, the new 390 Adventure R looks like exactly the kind of lightweight adventure bike many riders have been asking KTM to build—lighter, more off-road focused and packed with modern electronics. But as always, the real question is how those numbers translate once you throw a leg over the bike and point it down a road… or a dirt track.

Our plan for the day was to head south, then west from Hamilton to do some exploring, although the first spanner in that plan was the massive weather system that had demolished the bridge (and most of the countryside) south of Pirongia. That meant backtracking up SH39 and heading east to Te Awamutu before continuing our journey south, then switching east once more. That detour added some more decent road miles, although on the KTM it didn’t really cause an issue, with the seriously good wind protection from the large screen and the comfortable riding position making this a capable bike for adventure touring. And that’s a pretty impressive thing considering the small capacity single powering the Adventure R.

Road Manners

Sitting at the NZ open road speed limit of 100km/h, the KTM is happy purring along, albeit with a bit of vibration through the pegs, especially the left. Go for an overtake and as the revs rise, that vibration increases, although it soon abates when you back off the throttle once more and get into cruise mode. It’s not enough to make fingers or toes fall asleep, but you know it’s there and is a stark contrast to the buttery-smooth twins in the small-capacity Adv segment.

Yet start using the throttle in anger for gassing out of turns or for sliding the rear wheel in the loose stuff, and the punch of the single feels much more alive than those twins, with the KTM feeling like a proper ‘R’ adventure model rather than the re-worked road bike of the previous version.

Hitting the twists and turns of some of the Waikato’s greatest biking roads, and the Adventure R was right in the mix despite the small displacement. Keeping the revs up to make decent progress soon became apparent as I let the digital rev counter drop down below 5,000rpm in a tight corner, expecting the single to grunt out the other side, just to see my riding buddies pull a gap. Yep, the real performance sits anywhere above 6,000rpm and preferably up towards 8,000rpm when you really want to get a boogie on.

While having a 21-inch front wheel at the front doesn’t offer as much confidence on the road as the previous version’s 19-inch, the Adv R is still capable of nearly adventure boot scraping lean angles, with the Mitas Trail E07+ tyres doing a good job of supplying grip.

And while the KTM has long-travel suspension to make it more off-road accessible, I didn’t find it caused too much of an issue on the tarseal, with the single front brake caliper not putting too much stress through the front when grabbing a handful. Yes, the suspension dives, but not so dramatically that you can’t push on. It’s a seriously impressive set-up for what is an entry-level adventure machine.

Gravel Goodness

As is often the case when you’re in the back blocks of NZ, the tarmac suddenly ran out and we were into soft gravel while still carrying a fast road pace – and the KTM didn’t miss a beat. I soon discovered that keeping the electronics in off-road mode with the rear ABS disabled was the best option, as we were transitioning from tarmac to gravel to dirt in an instant, so there wasn’t the worry that I’d barrel into a slippery corner and have the ABS kick in. As it is, the anti-lock brake system is lean-sensitive on the road (as is the TC) and off-road tuned for the rough stuff, which is another impressive feature from the baby adventurer. And if I did leave it in Street Mode, a couple of button presses on the left switchblock would put the bike into Off-Road mode, offering off-road ABS and TC in an instant, even on the fly. Oh, and it stays in the setting you’ve chosen even after you turn the ignition off and on again – seriously handy!

It didn’t take too long to discover that this time around KTM has developed a small-capacity adventure bike with the same ethos as their larger dual-purpose machines, with the Adventure R feeling seriously good in the soft stuff. Helped by the light 176kg wet weight and relatively accessible seat height, the 44hp from the LC4c motor is perfect for having fun in the dirt without worrying about getting caught out by excess power or a bit of whisky throttle. The six-speed gearbox is slick and precise, although getting the optional quickshifter would be one of my recommendations, as you tend to be swapping cogs to keep the single on the boil. Another thing to pick from the ample KTM accessory catalogue would also be a rear rack because this is more than capable of being an adventure tourer, so you really need something to strap your gear down on the back, rather than a bit of flimsy plastic.

Real Rally

Sitting down in the saddle with the TFT dash and big screen in front of me, I couldn’t help feeling like I was on a real KTM rally machine – it just looks the part from every angle. And it even wins the all-important shop window glance, where I felt seriously cool aboard the 390 Adventure R, despite this being a LAMS-approved, very affordable motorcycle.

With a lot of gravel kays clicked off, showing the KTM 390 Adventure R has all the attributes to make it a choice for new and experienced adventure riders alike, we dived into some bush trails to check out its slow-speed technical prowess. With the new fully adjustable WP Apex forks and shock offering a decent 230mm of travel, the slim nature and the light weight meant that you were much more likely to give something a go on the baby adventurer than many riders probably would be on bigger and heavier adventure machines. And realistically, who needs 100+hp when you’re picking through trails in the bush, riding over roots and trying to maximise traction. Light, capable and genuinely off-road focused — this is the standout small ADV right now.

KTM 390 Adventure R SUMMARY

The KTM 390 Adventure R marks a major shift toward off-road performance in KTM’s small-capacity adventure range. With 21/18 wheels, long-travel suspension and modern electronics, it delivers genuine dirt capability while remaining usable on the road.

Publisher/Editor

Paul

Paul is the owner, publisher and editor of Bike Rider Magazine, a role he has had for over two decades. He has been BRM’s primary test rider throughout that time, riding and reviewing everything from learner machines to high-performance superbikes. After cutting his teeth with Superbike Magazine in the UK, Paul moved to New Zealand in the early 2000s and has since dedicated his career to delivering honest, rider-focused motorcycle journalism.