KTM 390 Adventure-X review: X marks the spot?

At Rs 2.8 lakh, ex-showroom, the X-variant of the KTM 390 Adventure is the most affordable sub 400cc ADV out there. It is about Rs 65,000 cheaper than the standard bike and that’s been made possible by removing some of the kit from the standard bike. 

KTM 390 Adventure-X: What’s different?

The bits of equipment that you lose includes the TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, quickshifter, traction control and the Ride modes. The bike also doesn’t get the Metzeler Tourance tyres and makes do with the MRF Mogrip Meteor tyres that you get on the KTM 250 Adventure. Do these omissions dilute the capabilities of the KTM 390 Adventure? As it turns out, it wasn’t entirely the case.  

KTM 390 Adventure-X: what’s it like to ride

Like the low seat 390 ADV V, the 390 ADV X gets the WP Apex big piston fork instead of the WP Apex Open cartridge fork. Barring these omissions, the X has the same chassis and engine as the standard bike, so in terms of pure performance and ride quality, there’s no difference between the two bikes. The handling isn’t too dissimilar, except for the fact that the MRF’s aren’t as grippy or confidence inspiring as the Metzelers on the other variants of the 390 ADV. That statement holds true off-road as well. That said, the MRFs are decent enough and one can always fit the Metzelers once the MRF’s are worn out. 

As for the removal of traction control and cornering ABS, experienced hands may not miss these safety nets. However, our road conditions aren’t ideal and that's where these systems come in handy, say on a slippery, gravelly road or wet tarmac. Which is why, at least in terms of electronic aids, choosing between the X or spending the extra dough for the standard variant with the electronic aids becomes a matter of personal choice and skill level. In our experience, a bike this powerful doesn’t need TC, but for less experienced riders it is nice to have. 

Equipping the bike with a simple LCD dash does erode some of that premium feel you’d want from a near Rs 3 lakh bike but I don’t think it is a deal breaker considering the overall price to performance package that the 390 Adventure presents itself as. 

On the whole, the KTM 390 Adventure-X brings a lot to the table for the price and you could use the money you’ve saved over the standard bike to fit accessories, crash protection and what have you. 

If you were looking for a fast and capable ADV for not a lot of money, this bike makes for an option worth looking at