Back in 2020, KTM jumped into the adventure bike scene in India with the 390 Adventure. It was great for touring and handled bad roads well, but when it came to serious off-roading, it struggled. The engine was too high-strung, the ergonomics were more road-focused, and overall, it just didn’t feel like a proper off-road machine.
Fast forward to 2025, and KTM says the new 390 Adventure is “99% new.” This time, the goal was clear—make a bike that’s just as capable off-road as it is on-road. So, did they finally get it right?
Bold New Look, Built for the Dirt
One look at the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure, and you know it means business. The design is straight out of the Dakar Rally playbook. The tall front beak, vertically stacked headlight, and 21-inch front wheel scream off-road performance. The LED DRLs match the styling of KTM’s bigger ADVs, and the 5-inch color TFT screen sits on what looks like a proper rally tower.
The fuel tank is slimmer for better control when standing up on the pegs, but it still holds 14.5 liters—same as before. The long, single-piece seat offers plenty of space, even for a pillion. The rear is sleek and minimalistic, ending with KTM’s signature LED tail-light.
Interestingly, KTM has introduced a new pigmentation process for the body panels. Instead of stickers that can peel off or scratch away, the graphics are embedded into the plastic itself. This means even after rough falls, the bike will still look fresh. The panels are also tougher than before.
But the real eye-catcher? The tubeless spoked wheels—21 inches up front and 17 at the back—finally making it a proper adventure machine.
A More Off-Road Friendly Engine
The 390 Adventure now shares its heart with the latest-gen 390 Duke—a 399cc, single-cylinder engine pushing out 45.3bhp at 8,500rpm and 39Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. But here’s where it gets interesting: KTM has changed the gearing to be more off-road-friendly, adding a bigger rear sprocket and a smaller front one.
This small tweak makes a huge difference. The old bike needed a lot of revs just to get moving, which meant constant clutch abuse in slow, technical terrain. Now, power kicks in earlier, making it much easier to ride at low speeds.
KTM has also added a crawl function—just ease off the clutch in low gears, and the bike moves forward like a tractor. This is a game-changer for both off-road trails and city traffic.
Ride-by-wire is here with three riding modes:
• Street – Balanced and smooth
• Rain – Softer power delivery for slippery conditions
• Off-Road – The most aggressive and responsive
You can even tweak the Off-Road mode to match your skill level or terrain. Plus, traction control and ABS adjust automatically based on the mode you’re in.
On the highway, the bike pulls effortlessly to 100-120kmph, and at sixth gear, it’s sitting comfortably at 6,000-7,000rpm. While it’s not the smoothest engine out there, the vibrations aren’t too intrusive. The Quickshifter+ works best above 5,500rpm, making shifting effortless.
KTM also addressed concerns about the underbelly exhaust and water-wading ability. The bike is rated to handle up to 400mm of water, thanks to special baffles that prevent water from entering the exhaust.
Better Suspension, More Ground Clearance, and a Lower Seat
Underneath, the new steel-trellis subframe replaces the aluminum unit from before, making it more durable. The WP Apex suspension gets a big upgrade—200mm travel at the front, 205mm at the rear, both fully adjustable.
Despite the added travel, KTM has managed to lower the seat height from 855mm to 830mm, making it much more approachable. The seat is also narrower, so shorter riders can reach the ground more easily. Meanwhile, ground clearance has jumped to 237mm, meaning you can clear obstacles without worry.
How Does It Ride?
On the road, the 390 Adventure is just as good as before—stable, fast, and confidence-inspiring. Even at 120kmph+, the bike feels solid. The suspension is slightly on the stiffer side, but it soaks up most bumps well. The only downside? It’s not as plush as the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, but that’s a different kind of ADV altogether.
In city traffic, the lighter 182kg kerb weight and lower seat make it surprisingly easy to maneuver. The 21-inch front wheel makes it a bit slower to turn compared to the older 390 Adventure, but the bike still handles well.
The brakes have changed too. KTM swapped the four-piston radial caliper for axially mounted twin-piston calipers on a 320mm front disc. The result? More controlled and progressive braking—perfect for off-road use, where you don’t want the front wheel locking up too easily.
Off-Road Performance: A Whole New Beast
The moment you take it off the tarmac, you realize this is a completely different 390 Adventure. The combination of the 21-inch front wheel, longer-travel suspension, and better gearing makes a huge difference.
Standing up on the pegs feels natural, and while the handlebar could be a bit taller (easily fixed with risers), the overall ergonomics are spot on. The Apollo Tramplr XR tyres provide excellent grip, and the chassis, now 10% stiffer, is eager to slide and play. Power slides are effortless, jumps feel controlled, and nothing bottoms out—even with a heavier rider.
The new engine characteristics make it much easier to navigate slow-speed technical trails, while also letting you blast through open terrain without hesitation. In short, the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure finally feels like it was built for the dirt.
Feature-Packed Electronics
The bike is loaded with tech, starting with the new bonded glass TFT screen—the same one from the Duke 390. It’s easier to read in sunlight and doesn’t fog up like the old one.
The biggest new feature? Cruise control. A first in this segment, it makes highway riding a breeze. There’s also a customizable button that lets you quickly toggle between riding modes, traction control, or even phone functions.
Speaking of connectivity, you can make and receive calls, control music, and even access your phone’s features directly from the bike.
Price & Verdict: Worth It?
At ₹3.68 lakh (ex-showroom), the new 390 Adventure is only slightly more expensive than the outgoing model, but the upgrades make it worth every penny. It’s no longer just a Duke on stilts—it’s a proper off-road adventure machine.
If you don’t plan to go off-road much, there’s always the 390 Adventure X, which retains the new engine, better suspension, and fresh styling.
Against the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450? That’s a battle we can’t wait to see. But one thing’s for sure—this time, KTM has built an adventure bike that truly lives up to its name.
