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.
Dinshaw Magol
Vishal Venugopal
