How Well Does The KTM 390 Adventure Handle Long Distance Adventure Riding? 

I recommend you check your chain for stretch. Mine was done at 8k miles. It had stretched beyond its service life. I am working on a video that will show how to check it and change everything out. I rode my 390 Adv to LA Paz Baja with camping gear. It's a perfect bike for this type of travel for me. I do a lot offroad adventure riding on this bike and it has been great for that too. I need to look at your other videos to see what issues you have experienced. I haven't had any major issues, just a few small things.

Thank you for making this video and your review. I enjoyed it!

I just found your channel, Age is almost the same and I just bought the 2020 model. So far I love and just started Rideing again. Cool channel thank's for the video

I rode 1500 km's in one shot last summer on my 390. Fully loaded with camping gear, tools, and extra fuel. Had cushioned bike shorts on under my riding pants and added a seat cushion. Was more tired than sore at the end of the ride... Absolutely love this bike...

Well done, good to know that ithandles the long trips

Oh and by the way if you look under your seat KTM has put a great tool kit there for you to do things such as adjusting your chain. Not only is the tool kit sufficient but I did not take any additional tools or need them on my continental divide ride.

I just returned from a 3,400 mile trip on my 390 ADV that included the COBDR. Knobby tires, 14t front sprocket, new DID chain, stiff suspension settings, and full camping gear. The bike handled all the off road stuff magnificently. I couldn’t be happier. No mechanical troubles at all but I prepped the bike thoroughly beforehand. The 1,000 miles of blacktop to Colorado and the 1,400 miles home, not so much. I do not enjoy this bike much over 70mph. It’s too susceptible to turbulence, even from passenger cars. I’ve owned several other small bikes and none of them had the handlebar oscillation this bike has at 75mph with just the slightest traffic turbulence. And I’ve experienced it regardless of luggage, tires, and suspension settings. In Wyoming I fought 30mph crosswinds and it was exhausting on this little machine. In Utah I battled 45mph crosswinds for over 100 miles on I-80 and it was harrowing on this bike, to say the least. The KTM 390 ADV is far better for true adventure riding than my WR250R was but it’s still not the Goldilocks bike I was hoping for.

Super bike I just completed the Continual Divide Trail on mine and then took a long route back home to TX from Canada covering 7000 miles on this trip and the bike performed flawlessly. But yes the seat sucks I have an airhawk seat pad.

I really like the footage that you used in this video. I was very interested in the 390 Adventure, but when it came time to pull the plug, I bought a Himalayan. I sold my Africa Twin to buy this. I'd be curious to see how you loaded your bike, as this was one of my concerns about the KTM. I seldom camp any more. I'm 67 years old, and I've done enough camping. I like hotels and motels.

Thanks for the video and the tips are absolute necessary for a long trip drive. Anything you want to suggest for the maintenance of KTM 2020 model as I bought 2nd hand? Thankss~

I also just completed the continental divide trail about two months ago on this fantastic adventure bike it was flawless and brought me back home to Texas with a smile. I have no problem with the factory seat after 8 to 10 hours in the saddle . In a pick up truck I’m ready to get out of it in 8 to 10 hours. While riding the continental divide trail there are hundreds and hundreds of miles with bad washboard roads. It will finish off a good chain in no time. Camping off this bike depends entirely on how much camping gear you pile on top of it just like any other bike. People have said this is a low budget bike but this low budget bike absolutely proved itself on the continental divide trail. You can easily spend a whole lot more money for another bike but at the end of the day it’s all about the smiles. HAPPY TRAILS

That trip to Acadia was quite an accomplishment. It’s interesting that the bike motor is such good quality and paired to poor quality elsewhere. You are braver than me for sure on using it for long trips. Have you considered a change to either a CB500X or VStrom 650XT? Both are reported to be more durable. Nice video with useful information for anyone considering a KTM390 Adventure.

Good candid review, thanks. What other reliability issues have you had with this bike? This my number one obstacle to replacing a Japanese bike with this.

Most riders say to replace the chain before you start riding it. Otherwise the origianl cheap chain stretches super fast and then a new rear sprocket will be required and possibly a new front sprocket also. A good aftermarket chain will last at least 3 times longer as will the sprockets. Also many riders say to check every nut and bolt on the bike before ever riding the 390 as the factory seems to miss tightening many bolts. Even frame bolts.

a couple things about the chain. 1) New chains break in...even "pre-stretched" chains. Having to adjust it mid trip is not out of the norm. 2) I wonder if you accidentally set the chain too tight to begin with. Doing so greatly increases chain sprocket wear and can even lead to chain, bearing, or output shaft failure.

I am 58 years old. I didnot find any discomfort for 600 km ride at a stretch.

I did a 1000 km ride on a 150 cc MT motorcycle of Yamaha and it handled it perfectly..it included 100 km full of road...

The stock seat does suck but you kinda get used to it after a day. Did 1450 miles in 4 days in it. The bike did it fine

53° is awesome riding weather and camping weather, don’t know where you’re coming from on that one.

Those factory chains are shot at 6k. It’s better to replace it day one if you know.

Hey man question for you. How would you compare the 390 vs the klr that you had on comfort and vibration at speeds from 55 to 70. Also do you think your happy with the ktm overall compared to the klr that you had? I have watched several 390 adventure videos lately and of course adv Matt's channel also.

I put a chain oiler on my bike from new and after watching the ADV Matt video decided to change my chain at about 3500 miles. It hadn't stretched that much and I wonder if the chain oiler helped? Anyway did a 400 mile journey after fitting the chain and only it only needed a slight adjustment afterwards which is expected with a new chain anyway. I think a good quality chain is essential on any chain driven bike being an engineer I deal with a lot of chain driven machinery. The spanner for undiong the back wheel in the KTM tool kit is made of 'cheese' and I intend to carry a decent spanner when I go on my next continental tour.

OMR - I missed what seat you are using, could you please link it? Thank you!

Thanks for the video. I also fell for all the hype about this bike. I only have 500 miles on mine and I am thinking really seriously about just getting out now so I don't take to big of a $ hit. My other bike is a WR250R and I got the 390 thinking it would be a better bike for the freeway sections. It is definitely better than the WR on freeway but my feeling is the bike is unreliable junk. I think a large number of KTM fan boys have never owned a Yamaha or Honda and don't realize what a quality bike is. Once I get this out of the garage I will NEVER own another KTM. IMHO KTM is the Range Rover of motorcycles.

Hello. May I ask how tall are you? I am 6'3" (not overweight) and considering 390 ADV SW edition. Do you think it will be small for me?

What part of Upstate NY are you? New KTM 390 Adventure owner from Rome, NY here.

Sounds like you camp off of your adventure just like I camp off my 390 Duke, another old man, same distances and loading. Am always checking the chain and have had it loosen on me a few times but not excessively and just have to ask that your adjusting your chain tension when the rear wheel is suspended off the ground? Also, coming from a KLR650 to my Duke 390 and making the switch based on asking myself the question of weather I spent the most time on pavement or dirt. The answer for me was by far pavement and doing the switch made the enjoyment of my ride advance by a quantum leap.

How do you find long distance ride with KTM 390 Adv?

The problem with the westerners is you guys are spoilt with money and comfort. I have done 500 miles with my NS200, which is half of KTM 390 and now I am upgrading to 390 ADV. You are complaining of 390 adv quality...just hold there. N200 is Indian manufactured 200cc, 24 bhp, 19 NM torque, no ABS, no slip assist clutch, no, quick shifter, sporty seating position, no adjustable suspension, about 230 kms range tank, crusing speed 60 MPH and everything much lesser than KTM 390 ADV. It's all about the rider skills. That said, I appreciate that you guys still love 390 ADV. Love your channel ❤️

What is the type of the windshield?

Nice video. What’s the exact seat you recommend??

I thought I was subscribed to you but apparently not! Fixed that. Kinda disappointed to hear another negative report on build quality. The engine and tech on the 390 seems way ahead of similar sized (and priced) competitors’ offerings, but reliability is still king when you are adventuring.

What exactly is poor quality on the bike? Considering trading from my 14 1190...

My rear sprocket has play with 2K mileage 🤦🏻‍♂️

Lock tight.. Chains, how to lube.. Best axle grease you can get. Mix with gasoline, put chain into gas grease mix. Soak for 5-10 minutes. Let dry. Job done, chain has been greased. Save the mix for next time. Old school but that is how it is done. O-ring BS. The gas wont hurt o-rings. So what. Your getting grease inside and you know it. Have you ever opened a new sealed bearing? The grease you find is crap and very little of it. I repack all my sealed bearings with mobil 1 grease. Thy just work after that.

sounds like the stock chain is ultra cheap?

All budget bikes in india comes in low quality chain it lasts 7 to 8 k

if he never changed seat very bad ,

Worst build quality I have encountered of any motorcycle I have owned. Nine months of ownership I've just sold it and felt no regret at seeing it go. KTM Philippines big fail, you just lost a prospective 1290R owner.

I really lose faith with Americans. This bike is a giant bike in most of the world just because Americans think anything under 1000cc is a toy. I have ridden two hundred miles on mine between fuel stops on the original seat never had any problems. Never had anything fall of the bike, probably because I actually check the bike properly before I do any distance like I would with any bike. I will agree the chain isn't the best but the first thing I fitted as I do with all chain driven bikes is fit a chain oiler. 900mile is not really that far I normally do three or four thousand miles on a tour each summer in Europe and never had any real problems. I have done similar trips each year on a series of much larger bikes of European and Japanese make and it works just as well. Much cheaper to run, much lighter and can easily top the legal speed limits if necessary. Got all the luggage on it that I used to have on my bigger bikes and is much better on fire roads and other light off road tracks.