2020 KTM 390 Adventure

New for 2020, the KTM 390 Adventure is the first beginner adventure motorcycle from the Austrian manufacturer. It is powered by the familiar and approachable 373cc single-cylinder motor seen in the 390 Duke, with styling cues that match the larger ADV bikes in KTM’s lineup. Unlike the street-focused brother, this model is destined for the dirt with its long-travel WP Apex suspension (6.7-inch front, 7.0-inch rear), knobbed 19- and 17-inch front and rear Continental TKC 70 tires, and an ABS off-road mode that disengages ABS to the rear wheel. This beginner-friendly ADV doesn’t skimp out on tech either with cornering ABS, traction control, ride-by-wire throttle, and a slipper clutch to name a few. Beginners now have a small ADV machine from KTM for slogging around in the dirt and down rough roads.

Upon our First Ride, resident KTM expert Justin Dawes claimed, “It’s a capable, comfortable, and entertaining adventure motorcycle, displacement be damned. Its street civility and off-road chops will allow it to hang with larger and much more expensive adventure motorcycles. KTM listened to the fans and gave them what they have asked for: a small-displacement motorcycle worthy of the KTM Adventure name.”

Rolling it into the in-house dyno, the KTM 390 Adventure produced 37.5 hp at 8,970 rpm and 23.2 pound-feet of torque at 6,990 rpm at the rear wheel.

While this may be the first small ADV from Austria, the Bavarians and Japanese have already introduced their own mini ADVs with the BMW G 310 GS, Honda CB500X, and Kawasaki Versys 300-X.

The KTM 390 Adventure is a new model for 2020 and comes in white or orange colorways, and $6,199 is starting MSRP.