KTM already had the 390 Adventure for 70 % tarmac / 30 % trail use. The new 390 Enduro R shifts the slider to an honest 50/50, giving India its first factory‑warranted, mid‑capacity enduro. It inherits the trellis frame and 399 cc LC4c single from the latest Duke/Adventure but bolts on longer legs, 21‑/18‑inch spoked wheels, fully adjustable WP Apex suspenders and Mitas knobbies.
Hardware Rundown
|
Item |
Enduro R spec |
Why it matters |
|
Engine |
398 cc, 46 PS / 39 Nm |
Same punchy heart, shorter final drive for crawling torque |
|
Wheels/tyres |
21 F / 18 R, Mitas C‑21 & E‑09, tube‑type |
Rolls over rocks, digs into loam; punctures need tubes |
|
Suspension |
WP Apex 43 mm USD (30‑click comp/rebound, 200 mm) + Apex shock (205 mm, 20‑click damping, 10‑step preload) |
Tailor plushness or firmness in minutes |
|
Brakes |
285 mm front / 240 mm rear, switchable ABS |
Finer modulation on loose terrain |
|
Dimensions |
860 mm seat, 253 mm clearance, 177 kg wet, 9‑litre tank |
Tall, airy, feather‑weight for class; range ~230 km |
|
Electronics |
Street & Off‑road maps, switchable TC, one‑touch ABS off, quick‑shifter, mini‑TFT, USB‑C |
All the must‑haves, none of the fluff |
Off‑Road Character
- Suspension feel: Open‑cartridge fork devours square‑edge hits; 205 mm rear keeps traction on whooped‑out climbs. With clickers set middle‑way the bike never bottomed through rock gardens or 3‑foot drop‑offs.
- Chassis balance: 21/18 wheels plus 253 mm clearance let you skim logs that would stop a 19/17 ADV dead. The slim mid‑section and 177 kg kerb mean single‑track tip‑overs are laugh‑and‑lift affairs.
- Electronics: Off‑road ABS (rear OFF, front ON) and dirt‑tuned TC rescue beginners; pros can kill both and steer on the throttle.
- Ergonomics: Standing posture is natural, though six‑footers may add 20 mm risers. Seat foam is softer and longer than the 390 Adv, giving room to slide over whoops.
On‑Road Reality
|
Aspect |
Verdict |
|
Acceleration |
0‑100 km/h in 6‑ish sec; 140 km/h appears fast; quick‑shifter flawless |
|
Vibe levels |
Mild buzz on bare pegs; bar and mirrors stay clear |
|
Ride quality |
Plush over craters; body control intact in fast sweepers |
|
Handling |
21‑inch front slows initial tip‑in but bike holds a confident line; easy lane changes |
|
Brakes |
Smaller front disc still stops hard, with gentler initial bite—ideal wet‑clay tuning |
|
Wind protection |
None. Above 110 km/h you are the sail |
|
Range |
9‑litre tank = 220–240 km; plan fuel halts on highway runs |
Living with It
- Seat height: 860 mm sounds scary but the narrow waist lets 5′8″ riders dab safely.
- Maintenance: Tubes mean trail‑side puncture repair requires levers, not a plug; carry spares.
- Durability: Flexible plastics, embedded graphics and a stout skid plate shrugged off multiple drops in our testing.
- Spare knobbies: KTM confirms the Mitas rubber will be stocked through dealers.
Buy It If…
- You spend as many Sundays on forest fire‑roads as you do at café meets.
- You want adjustable, long‑travel suspension without importing a 450 EXC.
- You value a 177 kg kerb weight and 253 mm clearance over fuel range and cruise control.
Skip It If…
- You tour 500‑km days on four‑lane tarmac and hate windblast.
- You want tubeless convenience or ride two‑up often.
- Seat heights above 820 mm already give you cold sweats.
Verdict
The KTM 390 Enduro R doesn’t merely badge‑swap the Adventure; it rewires the 390 platform into a genuinely capable dual‑sport. On dirt it will run rings round any sub‑500 cc ADV sold here; on tarmac it cruises at 110 km/h all day as long as you plan fuel stops and don’t mind the breeze.
In short, this is India’s most versatile orange scalpel yet—provided your weekend map shows more brown squiggles than blue expressways.
Also read: BSA Gold Star 650 – Detailed Ride Review