KTM 390 Adventure new vs old — Three big differences

With the new KTM 390 Adventure launch nearing, people looking to buy the current-gen motorcycle are deciding whether to wait or not. If that is the case, this is a must-read. The upcoming KTM 390 Adventure has undergone a radical change in so many ways, and we look at three crucial areas that can be a deciding factor.

KTM 390 Adventure new vs old — Design

While the current-generation KTM 390 Adventure offers a tall riding position and an upright stance, it is not in line with KTM’s other adventure motorcycles. With the updated version, there are two variants on offer, the X and R. They both sport a tall and sleek design with a lot of ground clearance.

The motorcycles feature a tall windscreen, a high-mounted front fender, and better suspension travel to make them more off-road-focused. The new 390 Adventure R also sports a seat height of 885mm compared to the current-gen’s 855mm.

KTM 390 Adventure new vs old — Features and equipment

The current-generation KTM 390 Adventure sports USD forks, a choice of cast alloy wheels or spoke wheels, a host of electronic aids, and a suspension travel of 170mm. With the new motorcycle, the base X variant gets 200mm of suspension travel while the more hardcore R version gets 230mm of suspension travel. The USD forks are adjustable on the R version, while it rides on 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoke wheels. The base X variant gets a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear wheels.

The new model will carry forward the TFT display with the R model while the X variant gets an LCD cluster. The base 390 Adventure X will get dual-channel ABS, while the higher-spec R gets cornering ABS, traction control, cruise control, and more. While the electronics may seem identical, they will be better tuned for the new-generation KTM 390 Adventure models.

KTM 390 Adventure new vs old — Engine specifications

In terms of engine specifications, the one on sale now is powered by a 373cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, while the updated one is expected to get the larger 399cc single-cylinder unit that currently powers the 390 Duke. Below is how they compare in terms of engine specifications.