The KTM 390 ADVENTURE has long claimed a notable spot as an all-rounder on the adventure bike market. With a 373cc four-stroke engine, steel trellis chassis, adjustable 43mm forks and shock, and BOSCH electronics, the bike can handle it all — from the road to the rugged.
But since 2022, the Austrian bike builder has targeted one specific improvement: tougher wheels for gnarly trails. For 2023, the KTM 390 ADVENTURE will sport spoked wheels for the first time in the model’s history.
KTM 390 ADVENTURE: Details
The new bike model comes with 36-spoke wheels made of anodized aluminum, measuring 19 inches in front and 17 inches in the rear. Continental TKC70 tires wrap them.
Previously, the bike rolled out with six-spoke cast rims. Anyone who’s rattled over rocky or root-filled trails knows the advantage of spokes. For one, it’s possible to true out a wobble. Spoked wheels are also more flexible, which is key in alternating terrain, and are easier to repair. Cast wheels tend to crack when you hit something hard off road and can put an end to your adventures quickly.
Along with that, KTM says the aluminum saves weight.
Between the wheels, find twin overhead camshafts, a balancer shaft, a PASC slipper clutch, and electronic fuel injection for uninterrupted momentum.
Two catalytic converters help the system breathe within emission targets, and the fuel tank (sized for a 3.8-gallon fill) vapor design boosts eco-friendliness.
Riders can control ride-by-wire, Motorcycle Traction Control, Cornering ABS, “OFFROAD” mode (more rear wheel slip), and linked “OFFROAD ABS” (disengaged on the rear, reduced on the front) controls with the 5-inch color display and “intuitive” handlebar switches, KTM said.
To adjust capability, you can pop the two-tier seat off and swap it out for other seats in the KTM PowerParts array — and there’s storage underneath. LED lights, a two-position windshield, wide footpegs for all-day comfort, and Brembo BYBRE brakes (320mm front and 230mm rear discs with four-piston calipers on the front) round it out.
The bike weighs 379 pounds fully fueled. A new color scheme sets it off.
Base price is $7,669.
