KTM is currently in a transition phase, moving from the older generation to the newer generation models. The bikemaker is already done with the Duke range of naked street fighters, and the next in line will be the Adventure range. In fact, the new–gen KTM range has been spotted on numerous occasions in the past few months on foreign soil.
Now, the new-gen KTM 390 Adventure has been caught testing on Indian roads which should suggest that a global debut is on the cards soon. Closer to its production-spec, the latest spy video also indicates a host of upgrades over the current model. The all-new KTM 390 Adventure could officially break covers at EICMA 2024 in November.
New-gen KTM 390 Adventure: Design
From the latest spy images, it is clear The new-gen 390 Adventure will shed its urban look of a road-biased adventure tourer for a rugged, off-road rally-style adventure bike, similar to the ones seen participating in the Dakar Rally. In its latest avatar, the adventure bike seems to flaunt a taller stance with a towering ground clearance. The box-type swingarm gives way to a sleek banana-type swing arm which ideally should be lighter.
Another critical update is the upswept exhaust muffler being replaced by an underbelly unit. The floating tail section seems a lot flatter than the current model with a single-piece saddle in place of split seats. Up front, the new-gen 390 Adventure sports a very large windscreen for better protection of wind blasts at high speeds which should make it a better tourer.
However, the biggest visual differentiators are the diamond-shaped projector LED headlamp cluster replaced by new twin circular LED headlights and the addition of a beak-like fender up front, giving it a very contemporary ADV look. Other key visual highlights seen in the latest spy shots are an underbelly sump guard, split grab rails, a muscular fuel tank, and side fairing.
New-gen KTM 390 Adventure: Mechanical upgrades
The new-gen KTM 390 will be underpinned by a new strengthened trellis frame which is suspended on longer-travel suspension featuring upside down front forks and a rear mono-shock. The latest iteration of 390 Adventure is likely to come in two variants– standard and rally-spec Enduro— the latter is expected to boast more premium hardware components for more hardcore trail bashing.
While the standard version is expected to ride on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wire-spoke wheels, the latter will most likely use a 21/17-inch wheel combination. Braking duties will be carried out by disc brakes at both ends aided by dual-channel ABS. The Enduro variant is also expected to come with switchable rear ABS. Rider’s seat height is expected to be around 830mm.
In terms of features, spy shots reveal a new rectangular TFT instrument cluster which is positioned higher to fall in the rider’s peripheral vision. The electronics package will consist of rider aids such as traction control, a quickshifter, ride-by-wire, cruise control, etc.
Powering the new-gen KTM 390 will be a new 399cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor that churns out 45.3bhp at 8,500rpm and 39 Nm at 6,500rpm of peak torque on the new 390 Duke. The engine will be paired with a six-speed gearbox. This new engine will be replace the current 373cc liquid-cooled unit powering the current model.
