KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The 390 Adventure is priced at Rs 3.67 lakh (ex-showroom)
- The Royal Enfiled Himalayan 450 is available at a price tag of Rs 2.85 lakh (ex-showroom)
The adventure motorcycle segment is heating up, with buyers now being spoilt for choice. Today, we will put together two capable machines: the new KTM 390 Adventure and the RE Himalayan 450. Both bikes offer outstanding performance, but the question arises: Which bike deserves to be in your garage?
Let's dive deeper into the details. However, before moving ahead, make sure to join the 91Wheels Whatsapp community to miss out on any automotive updates.
Design
The 390 Adventure is a very modern-looking motorcycle with sharp aesthetics. It flaunts sharp lines flowing towards the front, while the front features an LED headlamp setup with a sleek rally-styled fairing. However, the side proudly displays a high-mounted exhaust and an exposed trellis frame that screams performance.
On the other hand, the Royal Enfiled Himalayan 450 emerges as a more classic adventure tourer. Unlike the KTM, it has a round LED headlamp setup with a high-mounted front fender. The tear drop-shaped fuel tank flows towards the end, featuring a similar exposed trellis frame, which gives it an off-road-ready character. The Himalayan carries a certain old-school charm, but it also adds modern touches like a digital instrument cluster and LED lighting.
Powertrains
The 390 Adventure has a comparatively smaller engine: a 399cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled unit that generates 45 hp and 39 Nm of torque. The Himalayan 450 is powered by a 452cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled unit, but this engine produces a lower output than the KTM. It generates 24.3 bhp and 32 Nm of torque.
| Specification | KTM 390 Adventure | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine Capacity | 399cc | 452cc |
| Configuration | Single-cylinder, liquid-cooled | Single-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Power Output | 45.3 bhp @8500rpm | 24.3 bhp @6500rpm |
| Torque Output | 39 Nm @6500rpm | 32 Nm @4000-4500rpm |
Hardware
Coming to the hardware, the KTM 390 Adventure is equipped with 43mm WP Apex USD forks at the front and a WP Apex mono-shock at the rear, offering long-travel suspension for better off-road capability. The braking setup consists of a 320mm disc with a radial caliper at the front and a 240mm disc at the rear, both assisted by dual-channel ABS with an off-road mode. On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 features a 330mm disc at the front and a 270mm disc at the rear, providing enhanced stopping power. Like the KTM, it rides on 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels, ensuring superior off-road performance.
Furthermore, both motorcycles employ USD forks at the front and a mono-shock at the rear. However, while the Himalayan 450 shares a similar suspension setup with the 390 Adventure, the KTM offers an additional 5mm of travel, giving it a slight advantage in handling rough terrains.
KTM 390 Adventure vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450
| Specification | KTM 390 Adventure | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension | WP APEX USD open-cartridge forks, 43 mm diameter, Fully adjustable for Compression and Rebound damping (30 steps) | Telescopic, 41 mm forks |
| Rear Suspension | WP APEX Monoshock, Adjustable for Rebound damping (20-clicks) and Preload (10 steps) | Monoshock with linkage |
| Front Brake | 320 mm Disc with Radially Mounted Caliper | 330 mm Disc, 2-piston floating caliper |
| Rear Brake | 240 mm Disc with Floating Caliper | 240 mm Disc, single piston floating caliper |
| Front Wheel | 21-inch | 21-inch |
| Rear Wheel | 17-inch | 17-inch |
| Kerb Weight | 183 kg | 196 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 litres | 17 litres |
| Ground Clearance | 227 mm | 230 mm |
| Seat Height | 830 mm | Adjustable (825 mm - 845 mm) |
Features
When it comes to features, the 390 Adventure gets a 5-inch colour display with connectivity features such as turn-by-turn navigation. It also comes with three riding modes and a ride-by-wire throttle system with cruise control. The Himalayan 450 has a circular 4-inch colour display with connectivity features. It integrates Google Maps and has switchable ABS technology. Similarly, it has riding modes, ride-by-wire technology, and switchable ABS.
| Feature | KTM 390 Adventure | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustable Levers | Yes | No |
| TFT Screen with Navigation, Calls/SMS Alerts, and Music Streaming | Yes (5-inch) | Yes (4-inch) |
| Cornering Traction Control | Yes | No |
| Ride Modes | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise Control | Yes | No |
| Cornering ABS | Yes | No |
| Off-road ABS | Yes | Yes |
| Bi-directional Quickshifter | Yes | No |
| Ride-by-wire | Yes | Yes |
| Slip-and-assist Clutch | Yes | Yes |
Pricing
Pricing remains an important factor for many; the KTM 390 Adventure is priced at Rs 3.67 lakh (ex-showroom). Meanwhile, the Himalayan 450 is available at a price tag of Rs 2.85 lakh (ex-showroom).
Read More: 2025 KTM 390 Adventure And 250 Adventure Launched!
Verdict
If you're looking for cutting-edge technology, aggressive styling and a powerful engine, the KTM 390 Adventure might be the best bet for you. However, if your priority is off-road capability, ruggedness and an old-school feel, the RE Himalayan 450 is the ideal choice. Both bikes are excellent choices in the segment; the ultimate decision depends on your requirements.
