The 390 Adventure R has been launched in India. In a surprising turn of events, this higher-spec variant is priced lower than the 390 Adventure that comes with lower suspension travel. There are quite a few more differences, and we list out all of them for you. For clarity’s sake, we will refer to the 390 Adventure as the standard model.
KTM 390 Adventure R vs 390 Adventure: Suspension travel
The Adventure ‘R’ variant gets the same suspension travel as the international-spec 390 Enduro R
The biggest difference between the Adventure R and the standard bike – part of the reason it earns the suffix ‘R’ – is the suspension setup. Essentially, the Adventure R is to the standard 390 Adventure what the international-spec Enduro R is to the India-spec Enduro R. It is largely the same bike with added suspension travel and ground clearance, making it more off-road-capable, at least on paper.
To put that into perspective, the standard model gets 200mm/205mm (F/R) of suspension travel with a ground clearance of 237mm and a seat height of 830mm. The ‘R’ model takes things up a notch – quite literally – as it has suspension travel of 230mm at either end, which increases the ground clearance to 272mm and also results in a taller seat height of 880mm. Both motorcycles get similar suspension adjustability. Despite these differences, at 183kg, the ‘R’ only weighs a kilo more than the standard model.
KTM 390 Adventure R vs 390 Adventure: Wheels and inner tubes
The Adventure R gets an 18-inch rear wheel
The 390 Adventure R rides on spoked wheels with tubed tyres – 21 inches at the front and 18 inches at the rear – a more off-road-focused setup. Meanwhile, the standard model gets a 17-inch rear wheel. It also offers the best of both worlds, being the first and only India-made KTM to offer spoked wheels that support tubeless tyres – these wheels have a patented design that uses a rubber seal to make things airtight.
KTM 390 Adventure R vs 390 Adventure: Tyres
The Standard 390 Adventure comes with tubeless tyres
With a tubed setup, the 390 Adventure R also comes with more off-road-focused rubber. In fact, these are the same tyres that the 390 Enduro R comes shod with – Mitas Enduro Trail E07+, whereas the standard model gets Apollo Tramplr tyres. The Mitas tyres on the Adventure R have a 60/40 split between road and off-road use, respectively.
KTM 390 Adventure R vs 390 Adventure: Colours
The Adventure R is available only in one paint scheme
Both the 390 Adventure R and the standard bike have a similar design but sport different graphics. For starters, the standard model has a black mainframe, whereas the R variant has an orange one. The graphics, too, differ: the higher-spec R variant comes only with a white and orange colour scheme with a bold ‘R’ on the side panels, whereas the standard model comes in two colour options – white and orange – both with a white beak (high-fender). The 390 Adventure R has an orange beak.
KTM 390 Adventure R vs 390 Adventure: Price
The 390 Adventure R costs Rs 19,000 less than the Standard model.
Generally, in KTM’s stable internationally, the R version represents the higher-spec, more capable variant that commands a higher price tag than its lower-spec and less capable compatriots. However, in India, the higher-spec Adventure R costs Rs 3.78 lakh ex-showroom, which is Rs 19,000 less than the standard model priced at Rs 3.97 lakh. A part of the reason for the less off-road-capable 390 Adventure’s higher price could be the patented rubber seal that allows it to have spoked wheels while being tubeless. Spokes make it capable off-road without the worry of bending the rim, whereas the tubeless tyres provide the peace of mind against punctures on the road and even off it.
Autocar India News Desk
Rishaad Mody
Vishal Venugopal
Deepak Pachauri
