Ever since it was launched, Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has emerged as a formidable force in the premium single-cylinder ADV segment. However, there’s another player that has gotten closer to Himalayan than it ever did. We’re talking about the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R, whose specifications were just revealed.
Motorcycling enthusiasts are thrilled and are awaiting the launch of 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R. It brings more performance, features and off-road hardware than it ever did, coming close to Himalayan 450’s prowess (on paper) and even surpassing it with its extensive features list and electronic rider aids. So, should you wait for 2025 390 Adventure R launch or buy a Himalayan 450 today? Let’s see what the specs suggest.
Wait For 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R?
The main draw about the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R is that it is powered by the new gen engine that debuted with 390 Duke. This engine has less displacement than Himalayan 450, but it makes more power at 45.3 bhp, as opposed to the 40 bhp from RE’s Sherpa 450 engine. Himalayan makes a wee bit more torque at 40 Nm, as opposed to KTM’s 39 Nm.
Both engines are single-cylinder units with DOHC 4V head, liquid-cooled and are mated to a 6-speed gearbox. Where special attributes are concerned, both motorcycles get a slipper clutch and Ride-By-Wire throttle. However, KTM offers much more as it offers a plethora of premium features and equipment like Cruise Control, Traction Control, Cornering Traction Control, Cornering ABS, Off-Road ABS, Ride Modes, Ride-By-Wire Throttle, Quickshifter and more.
Ground clearance and suspension travel are similar between both motorcycles and if you want a towering motorcycling experience, the just-launched Hero Xpulse 210 Off-Road variant offers more off-roading prowess. KTM’s seat height is 830mm, but RE offers more versatility and Himalayan’s seat is adjustable too. KTM is lighter at 183 kg, while Himalayan is slightly chunky at 196 kg.
390 Adventure R gets a 14.5L fuel tank and Himalayan’s is larger at 17L. Both bikes offer 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wire-spoke wheels with tubeless tyres (optional on Himalayan 450). Both bikes offer a 320mm front disc and 240mm rear disc brake setup. KTM’s front callipers are radially mounted, which RE’s aren’t. Dual Channel ABS is standard on both bikes and is switchable too.
Or Buy Royal Enfield Himalayan 450?
390 Adventure R and Himalayan 450 get both gets USD telescopic front forks and rear mono-shock. However, the ones on Himalayan are not adjustable. KTM offers 30 clicks of compression and rebound adjustability at the front and 20 clicks of rebound and 10 steps of preload adjustability at the rear, allowing rider to set up the motorcycle as per the terrain.
In terms of instrument clusters, both bikes offer advanced TFT clusters. RE’s is round and 4-inches, while KTM’s is 5-inch and square-ish. Functionality is similar with both bikes as they get Bluetooth connectivity with app connectivity, music control and navigation. Lighting is LEDs with both bikes, but KTM offers LED projectors that might prove better for throw and spread than RE’s reflector setup.
2025 KTM 390 Adventure R is yet to launch in India and prices are still under wraps. However, Royal Enfield has been on sale in India and will undercut KTM as it starts from Rs 2.85 lakh (Ex-sh) with tube-type tyres and Rs 2.96 lakh (Ex-sh) for tubeless tyre variant. Even though KTM will be expensive, it is worth the wait consider just how much more it packs than Royal Enfield Himalayan 450.
