KTM has launched its 2025 Adventure range, which includes two variants for the larger 399cc engine: the 390 Adventure and 390 Adventure X. They are similar in design but differ in capabilities. We help you deduce the differences.
KTM 390 Adventure vs 390 Adventure X: wheels
The top-spec Adventure sets itself apart with a 21-inch front tubeless spoke wheel.
The biggest difference between the two lies in their wheels. The 390 Adventure features spoke wheels, enhancing its off-road prowess, while the 390 Adventure X has alloy wheels and tubeless tyres, making it more versatile on the road. However, these alloys also limit the Adventure X’s off-road capabilities. The duo also rides on different wheel sizes: while the Adventure 390 has off-road-centric 21-inch/17-inch (F/R) wheels, the Adventure X rides on a 19-inch/17-inch (F/R) setup.
KTM 390 Adventure vs 390 Adventure X: engine, brakes and suspension
The top-spec Adventure features adjustable suspension at both ends.
These bikes have the same underpinnings, engine and brakes. They also have identical 200mm of travel in front, but it’s the 390 Adventure that has adjustability for rebound and compression damping. The 390 Adventure X rear gets a mono-shock with adjustability for preload, and it has a 5mm lower seat height of 825mm. The 390 Adventure has a 183kg kerb weight, making it a kilo heavier than the Adventure X.
KTM 390 Adventure vs 390 Adventure X: features
The 390 Adventure X has effectively bridged what was once a substantial feature gap between the two variants.
Earlier, the difference in features between the top-spec 390 Adventure and the more affordable X variant was quite substantial, enough to sway prospective buyers toward the pricier model solely for its premium offerings like cruise control and riding modes. However, with this update, the gap between the two has narrowed considerably. The X now gets almost everything the top-spec variant has, thanks to the addition of an IMU. Previously, it missed out on features such as cruise control, traction control, cornering ABS and rider modes. Now, the only omission is cornering traction control, which is reserved for the 390 Adventure. Both bikes continue to share a 5-inch TFT dash, projector LED headlight, bi-directional quickshifter, ride-by-wire tech and rear switchable ABS, making the X variant a far more value-rich proposition than before.
KTM 390 Adventure vs 390 Adventure X: colour, design
Typical of any KTM, no matter which colour you choose, orange is always part of the package.
Design-wise, both motorcycles are similar, sharing the same White and KTM Orange colour options. The key difference lies in the graphics. The 390 Adventure features bold stickering with an extra Orange accent under the seat in models with White paint, and vice versa for the Orange ones. In contrast, the 390 Adventure X sports simpler graphics with a black accent under the seat. Another distinction is the beak: the Adventure has a white one regardless of colour, and the Adventure X comes with an orange beak in the white-coloured models.
