I stopped by KTM Canada to pick up the KTM 390 Adventure. It would accompany me for a road test during my trip to Gaspésie. Once again, I visited KTM Canada, which is nothing like a typical motorcycle dealership. Always warmly welcomed by the professional KTM team, I received the necessary information for safe riding. So, I could leave with peace of mind.
I spent ten wonderful days in Gaspésie; a beautiful 2,500 km adventure with this machine. If I had to sum up my encounter with the KTM 390 Adventure in one word, it would be “amazing.”
I felt great with the KTM 390 Adventure.
You know me well now… you know I’m not going to dissect the motorcycle. Instead, I’m going to take you into my world as an adventurous motorcyclist. I’m offering you a column that highlights the safety, comfort, and handling of the KTM 390 Adventure. My goal is to introduce you to this interesting bike today. I hope you can appreciate it as much as I did because I was 100% on board and loved it! In life, I enjoy trying new things.
This time, I discovered new environments.
Throughout Route 132, the main road in Gaspésie, I saw the most beautiful panoramas the region has to offer. I discover a new environment each time! The KTM 390 Adventure allowed me to explore different roads in a very different way than usual. During my ten-day test, I was able to try this bike in various conditions. The seaside, with its beautiful spots, had no limits for me. I had the option to stop anywhere, even at gravel or sand rest areas. I covered 550 kilometres in one day, and I had to force myself to stop everywhere.
Motorcycle enthusiasts are everywhere!
I also took a ride with the KTM 390 Adventure through the woods before arriving at a salmon river. I met a kind fellow (haha!) in the woods. Thanks, Mathieu, for stopping to see if I was okay. Motorcycle people are like that! I had a bit of a chat, like with many people I met on vacation. I noticed he had much more experience than I did. He gave me some tips, and I continued my ride with him for a few kilometres in the woods, until Route 132. He’s a true enthusiast! He returned to the woods to enjoy off-road riding. I could see he was a real motorcycle enthusiast… we recognize each other among passionate motorcyclists.
An Important Advantage!
The KTM 390 Adventure is smaller than some road bikes. For me, it’s an advantage that it’s not heavy since I don’t have much experience in that regard. I felt much more comfortable in tougher areas or different roads than the usual pavement. This bike is very pleasant for detours. Unlike my own bike, I was looking for yellow cones to venture rather than avoiding them and being cautious about what I might need to do.
Listening to Experienced Riders
Despite my huge travel bag in the back, I managed to complete the trip safely thanks to my comfortable riding position. I appreciated using a quality seat every day of the adventure. Thanks to it, I was well seated. The seat and the bike are lower than many other models. This allowed me to be on the tips of my toes… I’m 5′ 7″ (170 cm). Here’s a reference for you. However, to sit well on this type of bike, you need to shift your hip a bit and put one foot on the ground. You can see what I mean by looking at the photo below.
Throughout the trip, I used this technique. I no longer had the stress of figuring out where to stop or how to get off the bike. This is what I learned from motorcyclists with experience with this type of bike. You wouldn’t want to see what I looked like on my previous road test with another adventure bike (haha!) When travelling alone, you can’t always find someone to get you out of a zone or place where you can’t move forward. If you’ve had that experience like me, you never want it to happen again.
The KTM 390 Adventure is Fun to Ride
The handlebars of the KTM 390 Adventure are narrow, well positioned, very accessible, and easy to use. Maneuvering is easy, and I felt comfortable braking thanks to its handling. I flowed through turns with no problem. I even performed some obstacle avoidance and emergency stops. Once you know how it works, you get the result that puts you in a safe position for such enjoyable riding. It’s so pleasant and has excellent suspension. I enjoyed discovering it and appreciated its flexibility and agility. The mirrors are practical because they are positioned correctly to help us see around us. Its windscreen, even though it’s small, is useful on fast roads. It’s perfect!
The engine of the KTM 390 Adventure is powerful, and the gears shift very well. So, you can enjoy the highway, city, or country roads. I noticed no vibration at high speeds. It was the first time I tried the “Quickshifter” option. At first, I wasn’t sure about using it since I like to shift gears myself. That said, I enjoyed the experience on the highway and in the woods. It allows you to change gears up or down without using the clutch.
Technical Specifications
Engine: Liquid-cooled four-stroke single-cylinder
Displacement: 373 cm³
Seat Height: 855 mm
Tank Capacity: 14.5 litres
Gearbox: 6
Dry Weight: 158 kg (172 kg filled)
Bore x Stroke: 89 × 60 mm
Power: 43.5 HP (32 kW) at 9,000 rpm
Torque: 37 Nm at 7,000 rpm
Ignition: Electronic
A Bike That Helps You Build Confidence
The KTM 390 Adventure is an ideal bike to start off-road riding slowly if you don’t want to do just that! It’s a practical bike for commuting to work and going on weekday rides, then heading out for nature vacations on weekends. It adapts easily. The important thing is that it’s a bike that doesn’t put you in too much difficulty at the beginning. The trip is much more enjoyable when you’re not afraid to venture into new horizons. This bike allowed me to discover other places that I wouldn’t have had the chance to admire otherwise. I loved that the team had installed saddlebags on each side before my departure. It was great!
The Adventure Kit I Loved!
I enjoyed sunshine all the time except for one day. I encountered a few storms along the way. No worries! I was able to test the kit that the KTM team provided. It included a helmet, jacket, boots, and pants. I didn’t have rain pants and a jacket with me as my kit was in my travel bag. So, I chose to keep what I had on me to test its effectiveness. Only my gloves were wet when I arrived at the hotel. I was impressed.
Yes, I Almost Switched My Bike for a Jeep!
A raincoat is essential. Several models are available in different stores or dealerships. After a trip, in my early motorcycling days, I almost sold my bike and bought a Jeep because I was poorly equipped. You can imagine what I would have missed! It’s important to equip yourself properly for a pleasant ride or an organized trip. It’s no easier to hang out with people who are poorly dressed. There’s still time, so go buy one!
My Kind of Hat…
A motorcycle helmet is what fits best on my head. Every time I put it on, I feel good and always start a great adventure. It was a new sensation with an adventure bike.
Sometimes, the best therapy is a long motorcycle ride and time with oneself.
I want to thank KTM Canada for their trust. My trip was enjoyable with the equipment, clothing, and accessories they provided. The KTM 390 Adventure is a real bike that I had fun with.
