KTM 390 Adventure 2020 - Test Ride & Review 

I had this realization that one of my favorite things about your reviews is when you don't know something about the bike, you straightforwardly say, "I don't know." Seriously, this is a compliment!

I have bought the 390 adventure right after watching this video, and I like it a lot. This model gives the best value for money. Excellent for everyday use, small enough for traffic jams, very easy to ride, and very good off-road. It's even good for riding with a pillion around the city. Great motorcycle for very small money. Thank you for the video.

you are literally the only channel where i am almost sure that you do your stuff unbiased. i also like that you are not a streamlined front for a company, whose only purpose it is to talk like an actor and a salesperson. greetings from frankfurt and keep it up!

I just sold my T7. That hurt. I bought the 390 and have, so far, really enjoyed my on and off road rides. I was beginning not go down certain paths on my off road rides because of not being able to turn around and possible drops, I ride alone. I'm 65 and weigh 170 pounds, in shape, but I wasn't having fun anymore on the T7. I'm back to having fun with the 2023 KTM 390 Adventure. Great review Pavlin. One more thing, the bike performs really well off road. Low ground clearance if you want to go over a log, but the bike is so light you can get around the log through the woods. Ha.

‘Even though it is made in India, I can’t say any bad words about the quality’ 😄😄 India is changing pretty fast, my friend!

Howdy, almost 100k subscribers, congrats.

Genuine review...liked it... Not like other channels... IMB

Thanks Pavlin! As usual.. straight to the point.

Thank you Pavlin. You covered it all one needs to know.

Been checking out the 390 watched a number of reviews, liked your review covered points that interested me well. Thank you.

Thanks for the review! Also a nice bump up and video quality much appreciated!!

Hello Pavlin, I’m so glad you liked the bike. I was waiting for your opinion. I love your channel.

thx for your review and test! was honest and complete. Your cap is cool :D

Thank you so much for this video, i stay between street and adventure model, i will go to Gst and doing prepayment in next month ! you answered to my all questions to get for test experience !

Hello, im not a English native speaker and sometimes is hard for me to understand some youtubers. But your speaking is very clear! You have won another spanish subscriber!

Nice Review! thanks for making it :D

I like the unbiased views,. The problem with ‘some’ reviewers is they want the bike, they have or are intending to buy it. Therefore this review is what we need to see. Good video. Subscribed

100k advanced congratulations

Another great unbiased review as always a totally honest opinion cheers Pavlin

as always,...straight forward and very simple explanation, easy to understand......thanks

Finally found someone who calls it a small bike.

Great review content sir Pavlin. Sending greetings from the Philippines.🇵🇭

Good honest review..... Thanks

Thanks brother, you absolutely take care of the motorcycle which is on running in period. good review.

Excellent review! This looks like a very cool bike.

Bybre( By Bre) is a subsidiary of brembo breaks for small capacity bikes.

8:02 'BYBRE' means 'BY BREmbo'... BYBRE is a division of BREMBO.... It supplies calipers to lower priced motorcycles... 😉👍

Great review. Would you pick this over the Kawasaki Versys 300? Based on your videos on both bikes it seems the KTM would be better for hitting highway speeds comfortably.

Another solid review, I hope you get to do the AJP PR7

How cramped are your legs. What angle were your knees bent?

You explain everything so nice Li

So it is an adequate motorcycle, great, informative video. Thank you!

Superb and informative video thanks for posting :)

Man, I'm 66 and I have a 2017 crf250l, I don't do much off-road anymore, this might be the bike for me !

Nice review Pavlin. Much enjoyed as my test ride has been postponed. Looks good for my height 178cm. The screen is easily changed for any 790 screen I believe. A rack at the back would be nice, not sure how that would fit to small area. Thank you for your efforts 👍👍

Nice review Pavlin.

Nice ride Pavlin, some lovely countryside round you. Those of us that ride heavy bikes are always surprised how nimble the smaller bikes are. As you say, more than capable, like the RE Himalia but having a bit more bulk makes a bike feel planted on the road. That KTM will be a hit with the ladies, I'm sure.

Thanks for your review Pavlin. As usual honest and useful. Can you please review the Honda CB500X 2019? Can I do some off-road on it as well with some mitad e07 or similar, or this motorcycle is only for on road?

one of the best unbiased tests I have seen from the ktm 390 adventure ... very objective, although you are not a ktm lover. I also found the consideration (futured buyer of the bike) in terms of top speed and do not overturn the engine very, veeeeryyy sympathetic. I am impressed - thumbs up!

Hi Pavlin, I love your reviews, thank you! What about a review of the Ducati Scrambler Desert Sled..? That would be really interresting. Thank you, ride save! :)

nice one from Pavlin.that i want to say: you -Pavlin-has already sold it bike for me)))2 years ago was the same situation with honda cb500x - it was amazing series with medium size bikes videos. as a result, now i am happy owner of honda cb500x.thank you very much

Great review on the 390 duke! =)

Hello Pavlin, you think can ride the 390 adventure with 100, 110 km/h . Easily with out forcing the engine too much, What about sit height? Comfotable for someone 1m75?

Thank you for your honest review😊 I owned a BMW G310GS for two years and changed it for an NC750S. But at last I wanted "a little bit higher" sitting. Power is not what I want. So I bought a KTM 390 ADV. And I made the same experiences as you did in the video. And it is perfect for me on my older days. I was riding many motorcycles in the last 50 years and I hope to do that for still a while. best regards from the "Weserbergland"

Hi Pavlin, what about the single cylinder vibrations in city and on highway?

Thank you very much😉👍

Hi! I’ve been following you for some time and I didn’t know that you were from Bulgaria. Which part are you from exactly? Greetings from Istanbul.. 👋🏼

What about your trip to norway ? Is It still chance go on june. Mabe you will make small movie to upgrade yours plans

Hey ,I'm going off topic -how many kms so far on your tenere ,and if you could do review now when it went above 150k ?

As always honest review :) Pavlin, do you think this will perform better on Indian roads?

Not too shabby Pavlin - thank you for that review.

Hi Pavlin, glad to see you.

Great and unbiased review (Y)

Hello Pavlin, thanks for your review. As we are full of mountains (Greece), how do you compare KTM with Kawasaki Versys for multi use? City and travel in B roads mostly ? Keep on your nice reviews..!! Or maybe its better solution a used F650GS single cylinder with half money ?

Could you tell me what model Revit jacket and pants are you wearing? Ty for all your great info 👍🏼

Thanks alot.. Ktm 390 or nc 750x.. Mostly on street litle offroad?

Good review!

Hey Pavlin! Such a nice review as always! I just need your opinion on this. I’m in a lot of confusion between KTM 390 adventure and Himalayan. From what I’ve came to know from from the little research online, Himalayan has feels less powerful when cursing on highways while KTM has less power/torque under 4000 RPM and it lacks the initial punch. I want to buy a bike mainly for touring and my off road usage is very less. I’m from India, so considering the road conditions here and for touring which one do you think is better? Thanks in advance.

I love your channel, and watch every video with great pleasure, in this review summery: KTM Seat hight for short people? It is 855mm... higher than KTM 790 Adventure, Higher than Yamaha super Tenere (seat is 846mm), and even higher than BMW 1200GS is 850mm?

I like the way you have been doing your reviews. I own a Duke 200 here in Brasil. It is a very tiny bike for city and I am happy with it. I would like to test and maybe buy the 390 adventure but, here in Brasil the things are very complicated. To explain I will need a lot of time and a few bottles of wine and with hope and lucky, you guys from other places will be able to understand. Sad country I belong to.

What is your height?

Nice review. It is indeed a great motorcycle. And BYBRE is By Brembo, its a brembo subsidiary making brake setup for cheaper motorcycles & developing countries.

Just a question......what bikes are available for the bulgarian market? That are somewhat in a good price range?

Thanks for the review Pavlin, even though I picked up a G650X Country in the meanwhile, but if KTM launched the rumored R version of the 390A (or maybe as a Husky off-road oriented sibling), I might swap.

What bike do you recommend for adventure, this or versys 300x?

The best thing about you is you give real world feedback - you dont sound like a saleman for a change!

As always a great review Pavlin, but the front end looks a bit like something out of the film "Predator"!!

About your height, am i right in assuming that your comments about the bike size are comparing it to a true ADV bike? personally, I'm really drawn to it because its just a bit more versatile than the duke 390 but its not a full blown ADV boat like these bikes tend to be. how I see it, it still provides more of a involved and raw driving experience like the duke but with some mild dirt and luggage capabilities.

300km on light off-road /normal roads with pillion do you suggest this bike ?

Good motorcycle! Very honest test!

Finally some real comments from a decent sized rider!

I have another question, what is your choice for 7000 € if you have other options ?

Very well made video! It is a small bike, yes but not only for small drivers. I am 182cm or close to 6ft and I feel completely comfortable spending a whole day on the 390, here I have a different opinion. The more I think this beauty is really capable.. not only for commuting. This bike will pass on when the big ones give w.o. Great option to ride around the globe with it. I would choose this one over a 1290gs for that. But thats me with 60 years, 62kg and lack of experience.

How did you know I was holding a beer 🍺? Clever!

Been waiting ot this quite some time , Thanks man ! i am 186cm/80kg but even so i still consider buying .

Can you review more dual sports? Drz400

Please explain little bit about torque. Is it suitable to carry loads

Thank you for the review, I think this bike is a good choice for new-ish riders. I really hope that soon you will have the time to try the 2019 Honda cb500x , and tell us how you think it compares to the 2018 model that you reviewed, and to this KTM as well. Cheers!

thanks, interesting review! Can you please test the Fantic Caballero Rally? Please test her off-road capabilities. Thanks, Tom

Thanks for an excellent and unbiased review. Have you ridden the Royal Enfield Himalayan? Would be interested in seeing your review of this motorcycle.

Please help me..... 390 Advnture or 2020 cb500x? mainly street riding, no commuting, 170 cm tall.

I nearly bought this bike, I am a return to riding guy living in Cumbria. Using the bike for work, home visits and daytrips round the Lake District and South Scotland, I went with a Honda Cb300r, a pushbike on steroids 😍 Not an adventure bike but perfect for day trips on little rural roads. On riding out with friends, KTM 1290 Adventure and Honda CB500, they comment that I have the better bike for the conditions. Small does work for your adventure 👍

Is it a good option for treveling many countries

Thanks for your no-nonsense reviews. Would love to have your views on the cheaper brands such as SWM Superdual T 650, or the FANTIC Caballero 450 Rally. Also the SWM Six Days or a MASH 650. I'm 185cm high, weighing 125kg and like to ride cool... You will have noticed that these are all mono cylinders... Thanks again.

Very nice review!! I am a tall guy(6'4) like you, do you have any recommendation on adventure bike for a tall beginner like me? I was thinking to buy this KTM 390 adv due to the price but now it looks a bit small to me. Thanks man!

Hi Pavlin Im 6.3 and I was strongly thinking of buying this one. But You are a bit shorter than me and still its to small. What do You suggest to TakE under consideration? What would be suitable for my size. Although Im 42 It will be my first bike-Im just doing a driver licence.

Pavlin! Thanks for the review! I totally agree it is really hard to find a place/dealer to test a motorcycle that you are planning to purchase. I live in Ireland and if you are looking for something not that expensive, most of the dealers will treat you like dirt! I was interested to test GS 310 and BMW told me to freck off! When I mentioned Gs1200 they were ringing me every day... I was interested in that KTM but being 190cm - 115 kg I think I'm going to pass and stick to my TDM 900 for a little bit longer.

It's not for You because of height or weight? I have Your height but 69 kg. Is the position - especially legs/knees ok?

Would you advise against it purely based on my height, which is 197 cm? I'm buying the new CRF300L but I am getting second thoughts as I might mostly use it on paved roads.

Thanks for the review! I’m very interested in buying this bike but I’m 1,92 meters tall. In this category is it anything for tall people like me? Thanks again for your videos

Because it’s only 300cc is it fine if I ride it for 500km daily for long trip like 12,000km ?? Please answer

Might've been a good option for the wife back when she decided to graduate from passenger to driver.

hello Bro Great review and information new model KTM 390 2020 stay safe please

for daily commuting to work etc. perfect for me

OK video would of liked it if you learned more about it, I have one in the shop with my name on it. hope to have it in the next couple of weeks, getting the better bash plat and hand guards form KTM put on as well as rad guard and racks for my Givi Trekker hard bags. From the videos I have seen it is very good off road and will cruse all day at 120 Km, also very good with a passenger or loaded for touring but not bough at the same time, I like that you can turn off traction control and 2 settings for ABS Road or Off Road. and adjustable suspension, no other bike in this size and price range comes close, did look at the BMW, 310 but this bike is much more than one step up. I have the Versys 300 X and am trading it for the KTM 390 Adventure I do like the Versys for every thing but highway once you get much over 80 Km it starts to drink a lot of gas and after 90 is rev are to high for my liking, If I keep it at 80 or below great gas millage 400 Km peer tank easy but at 90 it drops down a lot. When you look at what you get on the KTM 390 Adventure there is nothing that can compare, in that size and price range and I have been looking hard, at 72 yr I do not want heavy, and with a inseam of 33" I want to be able to flat foot. You should find one that is broke in and give it a review on paved roads and well as dirt roads and some light trails. That is what this bike is made for, you might want bar risers but KTM has them. After over 55 + years of riding form 50 cc to over 1000 cc road, duel sport, and ADV bike this is a dream come true for me at my age. Also the wind shield is adjustable, but I want it as low as it can go. Love the feel of the wind. Thanks again for this review, I like your reviews, and would really lick you do one on this bike with one that is broke in.

What. Great place to ride..amazing

That’s looks cool

do you think it fits for my height pavlin?im just 5'5" short😊

Yeah that is true most countries don't allow test rides I bought my bike on recommendations and was very happy with it. but if you can find a friend and test ride because nobody can be exactly the same height and weight as you sometimes a tall guy will love a bike because it fits exactly to his dimensions. my point is just ergonomics, weight and height alone can change your mind.

Oh men.. you didn't make it easy for me. 👏. I was waiting for you to this review. Because im buying my first adventure bike this summer and i have 2 in mind. Between the new yamaha tenere or the new ktm 390. Thanks again for this great videos.