KTM 390 ENDURO R

Is it really an Enduro?

- AKSHAY JADHAV

I have always been a fan of Adventure (ADV) motorcycles but I've always yearned for something more off-road focused which could whip through the dirt. And finally, it's here! KTM has brought the 390 Enduro R to us. It is by far the best-equipped offering in the dual-sport motorcycle segment in India. But does it live up to its name? Let's find out!

The minimalist design of the Enduro R with its compact enduro mask wrapped around an all-LED headlamp and the front fender mounted right underneath it makes its dirt-y intentions clear. It gets a flat seat, a raised fuel tank with a tall filler cap and high-tolerance plastic shrouds on the shoulder. The chassis and stance are pretty similar to the new 390 Adventure's, and that's because it is the same, albeit with a few changes to the subframes to accommodate the enduro persona.

The flat seat adds to the overall appeal and helps the motorcycle look purposeful. The seat height is 860mm and someone with a height of five feet seven inches can easily put their feet flat on the ground. An interesting design choice, however, is the exhaust. It gets the same underbelly placement, tucked behind the bash-plate like on the 390 Adventure. Traditionally, enduro bikes come with upswept exhaust routing ensuring water-wading capability and protection from all the punishment off-road. KTM claims that it has designed the baffle and the internal components of the exhaust in such a way that water-wading won't be an issue even if the exhaust is completely submerged.