Last Updated on: January 1, 2026

2500 kilometers passed with the 2024 KTM 390 Adventure. Not much but enough to form an opinion about the motorcycle.

2500 kilometers passed while in the woods with the little orange.

If you are considering to buy a new one new, think fast. From what I’ve heard the 2024 model has sold very well. Not strange, considering the price reduction. And the price, plus value for the money, makes comparing the outgoing with the new 390 models wrong.

They are distinctly different motorcycles, in different price categories.

if you are considering to buy a second hand 2020 – 2024 model then that is another matter. And you have all the time in the world to consider options. However, many of the used motorcycles I’ve seen at least in my market, are priced relative to the price the owner paid.

So the used market may not have adjusted to the new retail price of the overstocked 2024 model. Worth keeping in mind when you compare offers. I also recommend checking with your local KTM dealer, if there are any 2024 models left.

I should perhaps add, for those who’ve not been here before, the 390 Adventure isn’t my first KTM. Prior I’ve had both a 2019 1290 Super Adventure S and a 2023 890 Adventure. Both great motorcycles, both practically fault free in my ownership. The 1290 SAS did over 60k in my ownership.

Just wanted to point that out.

What have I learned

Quite a bit actually. Among other things I’ve been reminded that you don’t need a big old adventure bike to be happy and have fun. You don’t need a tremendous amount of horsepower to go anywhere. Especially not if riding offroad, or on gravel or dirt.

And you certainly don’t need all the extra weight to transport yourself, and while at it, have an experience.

The 390 Adventure is easy to handle in the woods!

I knew this from before. Much thanks to my veteran Honda Transalp, which has kept me grounded. An old motorcycle that, despite having over 108.000 kilometers on the odometer, still has plenty of spirit left.

The balance between weight/mass and power of the KTM 390 Adventure is more than adequate for woodlands, mountain or fjord adventures. More than adequate to overtake cars in traffic, as long as the speed isn’t too high. But of course, acceleration cannot compare to large capacity motorcycles with oodles of power. This is after all a 390.

Engine, range, breaks

Once used to lack of low-end torque, and a need to rev the engine, you’ll notice the 390 is a frisky little thing. Motorway speed is not a problem. And even at that speed, and high RPM, the engine is very fuel efficient.

The range on my 390 have been between 2.7 – 3.0 liters / 100 kilometers. All depending on riding style, on or offroad. With a 14.5 liters fuel talk range should not be an issue. I’ve noticed the reserve alert comes on very early. Too early maybe. This far in my ownership I’ve done in excess of 330 kilometers on one tank. And there was quite a lot of fuel left when I filled up.

What else, well the breaks are very good. Both front and rear. The 390 Adventure features two-channel ABS with 320mm front and 280mm rear discs. Brakes are made by Brembo, so the quality is a given.  You also get lean-angle-sensitive, cornering ABS. It works very well.

The stock tires are not my favourite but they’re ok. Read more here about my experience.

September 2025: in the woods again.

2500 + kilometers and onwards

I’ve said it it before and I’ll say it again: the stock seat is a plank. More or less the same deal with the other KTMs I’ve had, and ridden. In my honest opinion the Powerparts Ergo seat should have been standard. It’s not like that variant is overly squishy and soft either.

A more comfy, softer seat I suspect would have improved the riding experience a whole lot. So investing in a Powerparts comfort seat not only will help, it’s a necessity. A necessity that will secure the survival of your butt on longer journeys. Spend the money. Fortunately it’s not a big investment.

If I decide to keep the bike then that’s an unavoidable upgrade. I can’t imagine another 2500 kilometers on a plank of a seat.

Despite fiddling quite a bit with suspension settings, the bike remains on the stiff and hard side. Well I’ve not been able to bring it where I’d like it do be, this far in my ownership. Given ride height, and less travel than on many other adventure motorcycle, I guess this was a compromise.

There is however one thing a tall person might not get fully used to, even with risers and maybe also lower/adjustable foot pegs.  The bike is a bit on the small side when standing. The new 390 R model is very different in that respect.

The angle of the footpegs is a bit weird, especially if you’re standing. They’re tilted forwards quite a bit. Third party variant supposedly correct this. And may be another thing to change if I decide to keep the motorcycle.

Next 2500 kilometers?

The motorcycle season (too) fast approaching an end here in Scandinavia. Plan is to take the little orange on a longer weekend ride to the west of the country before season is over. And then (perhaps) make a decision regarding whether to keep it or trade it for the 2026 version.

From a financial point of view, despite the things I either don’t like or find hard to get adjusted to, it is almost a steal. Anyhow, I’ll probably be back, with more rant and pics. No, not probably, it will happen.

See also