KTM 390 Adventure S vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: Which one should you buy?

The long wait is finally over. KTM is unleashing the 390 Adventure S, and it’s coming straight for the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. While the adventure touring segment might still be a niche market, it’s definitely heating up. Let’s dive deep and compare these two titans, analyzing their performance, features, and hardware to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your garage.

KTM 390 Adventure S vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: Hardware

The 390 Adventure S is built on the proven steel trellis frame of the Duke 390, but with significant upgrades. It features front and rear disc brakes, complemented by switchable dual-channel ABS for added control. The suspension is upgraded with WP Apex fully adjustable 43mm front forks and a 5-step adjustable WP mono-shock at the rear. The bike rides on 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke wheels, wrapped in Apollo Trample dual-sport tyres, for both on-road and off-road terrains.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is built on a steel, twin-spar tubular frame and comes equipped with 43mm upside-down front forks offering 200mm of travel and a rear Showa mono-shock with the same 200mm wheel travel. Like the KTM 390 Adventure, it features 21-inch front and rear wire-spoked wheels. Royal Enfield now offers optional tubeless tyres. The braking system consists of a 320mm front disc and a 270mm rear disc, paired with switchable rear ABS, ensuring strong stopping power and safety to tackle trails or city roads.

KTM 390 Adventure S vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: Features

The 2025 KTM 390 Adventure upgrades to a sleek new TFT instrument cluster, now offering Bluetooth connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, multiple ride modes with traction control, cruise control, and a handy 4-way menu switch on the handlebars for easier access.

On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 boasts a 4-inch round TFT display featuring a navigation system powered by Google Maps, along with phone connectivity, music controls, and call management for a more connected riding experience.

KTM 390 Adventure S vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450: Specs and Price

The 390 Adventure and the new-gen 390 Duke share a 399cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine paired with a six-speed gearbox. Based on the Duke 390’s specifications, the engine delivers 44.25 bhp and 39 Nm of torque. While the Adventure will likely utilize this same powertrain expect some adjustments to the gear ratios to optimize its performance for off-road riding and long-distance touring. KTM has confirmed that the 390 Adventure will be launched on February 1. 

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is equipped with a 452cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that delivers 40 bhp and 40 Nm of peak torque. This engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox assisted by a slip-and-assist clutch. The Himalayan 450 is priced from Rs 2.85 lakh to Rs 2.98 lakh, ex-showroom.