Living Up to KTM LEGACY

The new 390 Adventure looks superbly capable now. To verify, we rode it on some trails in Goa and then all the way back to Pune

-  Joshua Varghese

KTM'S SUCCESS IN OFF-ROAD MOTOR SPORT, including rally raids, had not translated well into their 390 Adventure range so far. Now they have addressed that by giving the latest 390 Adventure a stance so iconic that its roots (Dakar) and intent are clear. This one is for those who look forward to the trail at the end of the smoothest road in the world. Design highlights include fresh bodywork, a vertically stacked headlight, and a minimal tail-end. The most crucial upgrade is the new wheel set-up which has immediately propelled this motorcycle into the same league as the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. A 21-inch front wheel is a first for the 390 Adventure range, while the rear continues to be a 17-inch unit.

Everything that one can see on the motorcycle in these pictures is offered as standard, which reaffirms the new 390 Adventure's off-road commitment. When riding in places with limited traction, falling is inevitable but by using pigmented polypropylene for the new panels, KTM may have done something clever. They claim that the colour of >> the panel is the same throughout its structure. Which means scratches will only reveal the panels' colour; which is far more aesthetic than unsightly black marks. Furthermore, the graphics are not stickers, so there is no threat of them peeling off.

In Dakar fashion, the instrument console is mounted on a tower behind the tall windscreen. It is a five-inch colour unit that supports most connected features, including turn-by-turn navigation, call alerts, and more. Electronic aids include features that are uncommon in this segment such as cruise control, traction control, cornering ABS, and three riding modes with some level of customization.