- A production-ready fully camouflaged test mule of the new-gen KTM 390 Adventure is spied.
- The test mule of the off-road focused machine was seen alongside the KTM 390 Enduro
- Likely to be unveiled in India by 2023.
After updating its track-focused RC line-up, KTM is now ready to unleash its new horses in the adventure bike category. We have already come across multiple spy shots of the new gen Duke series which will debut in 2023. Along with this, KTM is working to introduce a slew of new models in its Adventure series. In line with this, spy images of the Next-Gen KTM 390 Adventure have surfaced online, revealing a few interesting details about the upcoming machines. So today we have a closer look at the new set of spy images along with exploring the possibilities of the enhancements in the new models.
Next-Gen KTM 390 Adventure: Everything you Need to Know
The test mule spotted on foreign soils, speaks a lot about the kind of rigorous testing KTM is performing before launching the new models in the market. Going by the spy shots, we can infer that KTM is testing two versions of the 390 Adventure series i.e. Adventure 'R' (Rally) and Enduro. Apart from these two, the regular 390 Adventure will also be a part of the upcoming new generation. Talking about the 390 Adventure R, the spy images reveal that the two-wheeler is purpose-built and way more hardcore off-road focused than its regular sibling. The rider is sitting high with an upright stance making it much more 'Adventure' ready in every sense, further supported by the 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke rims. Doing the suspension duties is a set of WP USD forks upfront protected by subtle protectors and these units will most likely be adjustable.
Along with this, a new headlight unit, reduced bodywork, new swingarm and subframe makes it stand out from the outgoing model. However, the rearview mirrors, LED indicators, knuckle guards and the engine bash plate will remind you of the current model. Another major change will be the new powerhouse, which will be a similar unit to the new-gen Duke 390. The underbelly exhaust in the Adventure R test mule serves as a surprising element, as it is often blamed for reducing the ground clearance in street motorcycles. The accessory package which includes panniers and a top box cannot be ignored and KTM could offer these as optional extras.
Spied along the Adventure R is the KTM 390 Enduro which seems to be sporting a similar set of equipment, although skipping some extra bodywork. All this with a small top box makes it appear even more off-road specific than the 390 Adventure R.
KTM 390 Adventure and 390 Enduro: India Launch Details, Expected Pricing and Rivals
The new adventure range is bound to come to the Indian shores, however, the exact timeline is still under wraps. KTM will likely launch the new-gen Duke series first, making way for the Adventure siblings. Talking about the pricing, the Austrian two-wheeler manufacturer will most likely charge a hefty premium over the outgoing model, all thanks to the added equipment. Once launched, these bikes will rival the likes of the upcoming Himalayan 450 and Hero Rally 450.
Verdict: The new Adventure range will surely be a step up from the current-gen model, which is more of a tourer-friendly machine than offroad. To further spruce up its Adventure game, KTM should definitely consider re-tuning its powertrain to better suit the purpose. Slapping the engine and gearbox calibration of the Duke range onto the Adventure bikes has always plagued the off-road performance of the current 250 and 390 Adventure. We expect KTM to address problems related to low-end lag and jerky throttle response with the new Adventure series.
