Hands-on with the new KTM 390 Adventure X: First ride impressions

As a previous-gen Adventure 390 owner, here are my observations on the new KTM 390 Adventure X

Bhpian thehelx0202 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

Pros:
• Noticeably lighter and beautifully flickable
• Well-balanced rider’s triangle – I’m 6’2”, and it felt just right.
• Plastic quality has improved significantly at most touchpoints.
• More linear power delivery compared to the Duke – makes for a tamer, more touring-friendly experience, though I personally found it a bit dull.

Cons:
• Vibrations are quite prominent! The footpegs and handlebar buzzed constantly. I could only take it up to ~6K RPM during my test ride, so I couldn’t fully push the bike, but it was already noticeable. The test ride bike also lacked handlebar weights, which didn’t help.
• Some noticeable cost-cutting measures that stand out in certain areas.

A Few Interesting Quirks About the 390 Adventure X:

• The rear plastic panel above the taillight isn’t fully opaque – it allows the red light to shine through, creating a prism-like effect.
• The rearview mirrors are slightly different in shape compared to the Duke’s and come with an anti-glare function.
• KTM hasn’t advertised this, but the bike features auto-cancelling turn indicators, similar to older Pulsars.
• The low beam is always ON by default, using the topmost projector, while the high beam is the same bulb – making it a bi-LED setup. The function of the bottom light remains unclear, possibly a parking lamp or DRL.
• The X’s base ECU map is the same as the S’s Street mode. However, the S’s Off-road mode delivers a more aggressive power response, making it the quicker mode. Best part? The ECU retains your last selected mode even after the ignition is turned OFF.
• A Royal Enfield key can be used to open the under-seat storage.
• The front end looks more imposing and sits taller than the previous-gen Adventure 390.

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.