MIDDLE GROUND

New to adventure motorcycling? This KTM is for you, then

- Janak Sorap

Control, in its simplest form, is the ability to direct the course of something. From our daily activities to the machines we operate, our doings are nothing more than a set of controlling actions that allow us to ultimately achieve what we desire. Neglect it enough and you’ll soon end up on a collision course past a point of no return. Similarly, motorcycles are also fun to ride only as long as we are in control of them. If the tables are turned, things can get pretty nasty. The KTM 390 Adventure is one such motorcycle, a hoot to ride but only in the hands of the skilled, and it can come off as too much for someone new to that power and style of riding. That’s why the new KTM 250 Adventure makes complete sense.

You see the 250 Duke is known to be the best in its range, striking a sweet balance between power and control. Unlike the 390, which has power ready from the word go, the 250 is a whole lot more linear and tame until midway through the rev range and only unleashes its KTM genes from that point to the redline. Ideally, that is precisely how any adventure bike in an off-roadish environment is supposed to perform. That way, the motorcycle is not too intimidating, power delivery is gradual when the pace is a lot slower, and most importantly, you stay in control of the situation.