A runabout, an adventurer and the perfect bike to go and get your licence on?
The KTM 390 ADV is a bike for all occasions…
Words & Pics: Tristan Foley & Deon van der Linde
The KTM 390 Adventure was first introduced to us just a day or two before the global pandemic turned the world upside down in 2020. Since then, said pandemic seems to be a distant bad memory, but KTM’s littlest Adventure offering has just grown from strength to strength in the SA market and we have ridden it many times.
When KTM offered us the latest iteration we decided to let, what we believe to be, its actual target audience review the bike. Our part time college intern, 19 year old Tristan Foley is an accomplished dirt bike rider and needed an appropriate bike to do his licence test on. We also gave it to our office, relatively newby Deon, who is fairly new to motorcycling and is progressing his way up through the ranks of motorcycling…
What’s new for 2024?
The latest version of this 390 adv shares the same platform and electronics package as its 390 Duke sibling, meaning that it now has the offset rear shock and the trellis frame with an ally sub-frame, which all results in better ground clearance and keeps the seat height fairly low, even with the long travel WP Apex adjustable suspension front and rear. Other niceties include a Bluetooth connectable screen for calls and navigation as well as switchable rider modes on the fly. Traction control and ABS can be switched to “Off-Road” mode, ABS is on the fly but you do have to be stationary to switch that and both systems are lean angle sensitive. A quick-shifter mated to the 6-speed box is a standard feature as are LED lights all around.
Deon collected the 390 Adv from KTM on his rounds and spent the morning bumbling around in traffic doing his calls and chores and was suitably impressed:
“I collected the 2024 KTM 390 Adventure at KTM SA’s office in Kyalami and rode in congested GP traffic, which, in itself is a bit daunting but, challenge accepted!
I rode the previous model with my Mrs. as pillion when we met with other KTM riders at RAD KTM for a lekker out ride to Rhino Adventure Park for KTM’s Orange Day last year. We were the only 390 amongst the bigger 790’s, 890’s and 1290 Adventures. I was impressed to see how well we managed to keep up, especially riding two up, so, was really curious to see how the new bike measures up.
Making my way through the traffic was quite exciting, at the very first traffic light (one that actually worked) I stopped between two cars and as the light turned green, I twisted the throttle and the bike came alive leaving the cars behind me effortlessly. From there, it was easy to glide through the busy traffic, it is not a very wide bike and it gives you great confidence to navigate and snake your way through. The 390 Adventure has the oomph to get you safely off the line and enough power to get you out of sticky situations and the quick shifter is definitely a bonus making gear changes easy while maintaining speed.
The upright seating position is also quite lekker because you have a great view of the traffic around you – and of course, for a guy my size, it’s really comfortable too.
I really like the new Adventure; it is comfy and agile. Easy to ride and puts a smile on my face.”
Tristan then got hold of it and that was the last anybody saw of it at the office until we had to wash it, fill the tank, (teenagers… eish!) and return it back to KTM SA a week or so later.
Being the Off-Road enthusiast he is, he spent most of the time in the dirt, but had to first do some tarmac stuff to pass his drivers licence, including one or two riding lessons. Once he passed, we gave him free reign and he disappeared off into the veld for what seemed like weeks, especially for his mom who did the motherly panicky thing until he returned. When he did, we couldn’t shut him up…
“I was quite happy to see the 390 ADV in the garage when I wandered down to find a bike to do my licence exam on. I managed to scragg a ride here and there on the previous generation and knew that it handled well. I worked out during my pre-exam instruction that the weight, balance and power delivery is ideal for all the tricky manoeuvres and obstacles you need to deal with when you go for your licence.
“The brakes are brilliant, especially when it came to the emergency swerving and stopping tests – my instructor made me turn off the ABS and Traction Control and any other rider aides, but the 390 Adv still performed admirably – and I passed my licence first time out! Thanks KTM!”
Once I got my licence, I celebrated by putting on a bit of mileage visiting my buddies. Riding on the road the KTM performs well from accelerating away from traffic, dipping into corners and railing through sweeping bends. Not once did it put a foot wrong, become unstable or give me a scare – in fact I actually started pushing the limits even more, it really is a confidence inspiring bike and a lot of fun to ride fast. (Get it?).
However, it’s when I got into the dirt that the 390 Adv really came alive. My buddy and I followed the trails from just behind our house, sneaking onto farmers lands here and there when we spied interesting obstacles to play on. Hitting jumps and dropping into donga’s at speed with my 80kg, 1.85m chassis on board, not once did the suspension drop through its stroke on either the front or rear – and I wasn’t being gentle on it either. It soaked everything so well and the rebound was smooth and predictable all the time. It’s not a dirtbike, but man it’s so capable and easy to fling about. Through all of that I didn’t bang the bash plate on middle mannetjies, rocks or anything else, so ground clearance is excellent.
When I hit the fast-flowing sections on the dirt roads and trails, whipping through the corners at speed I could feel the traction control holding the rear wheel from breaking free really well, considering the speeds I was hitting the corners at. Then, when I switched the traction control off, I could really get the back end to step out like on my dirt bike. This has to be the closest, in my opinion, that any adventure bike that I’ve ridden has come to proper dirt bike handling in the dirt.
My only real niggle was where the handlebars were set – I should have quickly set the bike up for my riding style before setting out. We did connect my phone to the bike when we ended up lost out in the middle of nowhere and I couldn’t work out how to use the onboard navigation, but we did get home in time for dinner.
Everybody seems to be of the opinion that bigger is always better, but not everyone can afford a big bike.
This really is a very lekker bike in every aspect. Some of the best fun I’ve had on any adventure bike.
Compact, comfortable, powerful enough, light, nimble and agile.
C’mon team, let’s do a big trip on small bikes again…
And there you have it folks, get down to your local KTM Dealer and go ride one for yourself.