I have just turned over 1000 kms and before I take this bike in for the first service, I am lending my thoughts and opinions of the 390 Adv after owning and riding for 6 weeks. #ktm390adventure
Bridgestone AX41 Adventurecross tyres (tires) work really well offroad on the 390. They take a bit of time to 'bed in' , and you won't get great mileage out of them, but you will transform the bike for riding in slippy stuff. You've not even opened the engine up yet, after the first service the rev limiter goes up, and there's a lot of power at the top end. I would keep an eye on your clutch. You really need to replace the cable with a longer one (might I recommend the venhill featherlight, which you can order in different lengths, and colours (colors) , and it makes the clutch lever pretty much a 1 finger job) I didn't replace the cable on mine when I fitted risers, and after a while the clutch bite had moved to almost unusable. Replaced the cable with 1" longer and all good again. I grew up near Airdrie (the real one, in Scotland ;)
The AT41 tires are high on my list and I think are suited for the terrain near this Airdrie :)... I will continue to monitor the clutch cable and will replace it at the first signs of tension. My first service is scheduled for this week and I cant wait until the limiter is removed. I have a lot more country to explore. thanks for watching.
We got some Motoz tires coming that are about 70 dirt, 30 street for the 390, that's an Aussie company that mainly makes desert tires, and a Molecule Motorsports skid plate made out of that super hard composite rubber, and also replaced the bark busters with ones made out of metal instead of the stock ones. I love the KTM 390 so far, and your foot peg suggestion is also a good idea, as my brother and I were commenting on how the stock ones are more forward leaning. The KTM dealer here in the grand valley of Colorado was having good deals on all the 2023s, so out the door tax and everything it was 7500.00 total, my brother has the 690 dual sport. Happy riding my friend, and naturally a huge like and a sub as well, greetings from Fruita Colorado!🙂
Thanks for the comment. Yes, my tire of choice is going to be the Motoz Tractionator GPS on the rear with the Motoz Tractionator Adventure on the front. I did put Molecule MS on my 2 stroke and will definitely add a set to the 390. Safe riding.
Thanks for the review. I'm looking at getting one. I have a CRF250L and I like it but the thing struggles to keep up with traffic on the highway and I do need a bike that can do highway rides. Have you rode your bike over rough gravel? Is it jarring with the suspension on the lowest setting or is it pretty good?
I did have a 250L a few years ago. I found it didn't have quite the jam for the highway or the suspension for dual and single track. Of the rough gravel I had conquered on the 390, it faired quite well and I am impressed for now. I am planning on taking the 390 on some ATV and single tracks this week, the same trails I take my dirt bike on. I will do a video on that and further test the suspension so stay tuned for that.
I understand that in the 2023 there is a delay after shutting down before the TC automatically resumes, so that if you can get going quickly enough, no problem. Check the manual.
Man, I love my 390. My Harleys are getting fewer and fewer outings in the last three years. But ... what dah heck is a _kee-low-meeder?_ You extreme northerners is so screwy! ;) good vid, thx S P.S.: What is/was your _other adventure bike?_
Thanks for watching. I had a 2017 Vstrom 650. This 390 is twice the bike that is. I also have a Victory Cross Country tour, it doesn't get much action anymore.
So far I haven't experienced anything I hate about this bike. Suspension is really good on pavement roads and gravel roads. I have used it a bit n some easier single track trails and it performs quite well. I do find I need to keep the RMPs up like a 2 stroke sometimes. best performance is +6000 RMP. Solid bike.
Thanks for watching. The brand name of that tail bag is Genesis and it is a 6 L bag designed to fit a sport bike that I modified. I picked it up at my local motorcycle shop.
The tire do have tubes and I am OK with that. It makes it easier to lower the tire pressure for riding trails or off road. For Highway riding the pressure is 29lbs. For off road I will drop it down to around 15lbs.
I don't like the color. The only thing that should be orange is an orange. In fact, the hinderance of getting one is based on the color being orange. They really should have keep the white with blue accents.
