I ruled out the KTM RC 390 due to its aggressive riding position and pillion discomfort.
BHPian mp417 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
After enjoying my 2016 KTM Duke 200 for 8.5 years, the itch to upgrade to a bigger bike finally hit me. I wanted to stay loyal to KTM, so the options were clear: the RC390 or the Adventure 390.
The RC390 was ruled out due to its aggressive riding position and pillion discomfort, leaving the Adventure 390 as my top contender. Initially, I thought of getting a brand-new bike but decided to keep my Duke 200 for city rides and look for a pre-owned Adventure 390 for weekend getaways, some off-roading and long-distance rides. After all, my Duke is still in pristine condition after all these years!
The search began on platforms like Olx, Facebook, and BikeDekho. Finally, I found a 2021 Adventure 390 in my favorite orange color with only 14k km on the clock. Reached out to the seller, who, as luck would have it, turned out to be a fellow Bhpian (@joelabreo227).
After some quick chats, we scheduled an inspection. We connected instantly, and he patiently shared his ownership experience and answered all my questions about the bike and variants etc.
I did a quick inspection and test ride, and the bike was in excellent condition. Within a couple of days, we finalized the deal. Getting the bike from fellow Bhpian was a big confidence booster and a crucial factor in this whole purchase. The handover was delayed due to the ongoing pitru-paksha, but I finally took delivery on the auspicious occasion of Navaratri.
First Impressions After 150+ Kms (City + Highway):
- Dimensions: The Adventure 390 is big, tall, and a bit heavy, but the transition is smooth for a 5’11” rider like me. Seat height is a non-issue for me. Despite its size, the turning radius is surprisingly manageable. You can manoeuvre in tight spots.
- Rider Comfort: The wide handlebar and big seat make for a comfortable ride. My wife, who avoided rides on the Duke, immediately approved the pillion seat on the Adventure 390.
- Engine: The engine pulls beautifully above 5k RPM—exactly what you expect from KTM. I haven’t faced any low-rev issues that others have reported so far, although the 1st and 2nd gears need some work in city traffic.
- Suspension: This is the bike’s standout feature! The suspension handles bad roads with ease, sending zero vibrations to the rider. Even my wife noticed how smooth the ride was.
- Tyres: The bike still has Metzeler Tourance tyres. The front tyre has around 5k kms left, and the rear has about 2k kms. I’m still adjusting to the lean angle, as I’m not as confident leaning in as I was with my Duke, but I’m sure that’ll come with time.
- Electronics: The bike is loaded with tech. The full-color display is crisp and gives it a premium feel.
A big shoutout to @joelabreo227 for maintaining his machine really well and for making this dream purchase a smooth experience and, more importantly, for becoming a lifelong friend in the process! Three cheers for the TBhp family!!
I’m really very happy to join the Adventure 390 family.
Completing the formalities (L – mp417, R – joelabreo227)
Baby Duke welcoming the Big cousin
Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
