KTM has recently updated its entire Adventure line-up, giving the 390 series a new engine, a new chassis and more features. We put it against its chief rivals, Royal Enfield and BMW, to see how it fares in a spec comparison.
390 Adventure X vs G 310 GS vs Himalayan 450: engine and output
| Engine and output | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| KTM 390 Adventure X | BMW G 310 GS | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 | |
| Engine | Single cylinder, liquid-cooled, 399cc | Single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 313cc | Single cylinder, liquid-cooled, 452cc |
| Power | 46hp at 8,500rpm | 34hp at 9,500rpm | 40hp at 8,000rpm |
| Torque | 39Nm at 6,500rpm | 28Nm at 7,500rpm | 40Nm at 5,500rpm |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 252.74hp/tonne | 200hp/tonne | 204.08hp/tonne |
All three models displace over 300cc but differ in cooling technology and performance. The KTM 390 Adventure X is the most powerful, with the BMW G 310 GS trailing by 12hp, and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 sits between them. The G 310 GS has the oldest engine of the lot, and that is visible in its power deficit. However, BMW is working on a new 450 engine, which might debut soon.
In terms of torque, the Himalayan 450 leads, with the BMW again behind – by 12Nm. The 390 Adventure X has the best power-to-weight ratio, while the other two motorcycles are pretty closely stacked. All three models feature liquid cooling.
390 Adventure X vs G 310 GS vs Himalayan 450: weight and dimensions
| Weight and dimensions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| KTM 390 Adventure X | BMW G 310 GS | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 | |
| Seat height | 825mm | 835mm | 825mm-845mm |
| Ground clearance | 227mm | 220mm | 230mm |
| Wheelbase | NA | 1,420mm | 1510mm |
| Fuel capacity | 14.5 litres | 11 litres | 17 litres |
| Kerb weight | 182kg | 170kg | 196kg |
The 390 Adventure X and Himalayan 450 have a more approachable seat height. The RE’s seat is adjustable, too. The G 310 GS’s seat is 10mm higher and non-adjustable. The BMW bike aces with its lighter kerb weight, but, as a result, it has the lowest fuel-carrying capacity, which might reflect on its touring range.
390 Adventure X vs G 310 GS vs Himalayan 450: suspension and brakes
| Brakes and suspension | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| KTM 390 Adventure X | BMW G 310 GS | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 | |
| Brakes (F/R) | 320mm disc/ 240mm disc | 300mm disc/240mm disc | 330mm disc/ 270mm disc |
| Suspension (F/R) | USD Fork/ monoshock | USD Fork/ monoshock | USD Fork/ monoshock |
| Suspension travel (F/R) | 200mm/205mm | 180mm/180mm | 200mm/200mm |
| Wheel size (F/R) | 19-inch/17-inch | 19-inch/17-inch | 21-inch/ 17-inch |
All these three adventure tourers run on a similar suspension setup. The KTM and Royal Enfield models offer similar travel at both ends, while the G 310 GS has 20mm lower travel. As for brakes, the Himalayan 450 gets the largest diameter discs at both ends to compensate for the additional weight. The Himalayan also uses a larger front wheel than the other two’s road-biased 19-inch front wheel.
390 Adventure X vs G 310 GS vs Himalayan 450: features
| Features | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| KTM 390 Adventure X | BMW G 310 GS | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 | |
| Dash | 5-inch TFT | Mono-tone LCD display | 4-inch TFT |
| Connectivity | Phone connectivity via app | NA | Phone connectivity via app |
| Riding modes | NA | NA | 4 |
| Throttle | Ride-by-wire | Ride-by-wire | Ride-by-wire |
| Maps connectivity | Turn-by-turn navigation | NA | Capable of displaying Google maps |
390 Adventure X vs G 310 GS vs Himalayan 450: prices
| Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| KTM 390 Adventure X | BMW G 310 GS | Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 | |
| Price | 2.91 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 3.30 lakh (ex-showroom, India) | Rs 2.85 - Rs 2.98 lakh (ex-showroom, Chennai) |
The BMW G 310 GS was launched in 2018 and, therefore, lacks in features and technology. However, it remains the most expensive of the lot. On the other hand, the KTM 390 Adventure X and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 have been recently updated. The Himalayan 450 is the most budget-friendly, and its base model undercuts the KTM 390 Adventure X by Rs 6,000 and the BMW G 310 GS by Rs 45,000.
