With the introduction of the 390 Adventure in 2020, KTM established a new benchmark for the small-capacity adventure category. While many of the 390’s competitors spring for budget-conscious componentry, the House of Mattighofen equipped the ADV to dominate the trail and the tarmac. It builds on those firm foundations with select updates on the 2022 KTM 390 Adventure.
KTM’s liquid-cooled, 373.2cc single-cylinder returns to power the adventure bike in 2022, but new Street and Off-Road traction control modes keep the thumper’s power pulses in check in all situations and conditions. In Off-Road mode, the system allows more rear wheel slip for traversing tricky terrain. User-friendly features like cornering ABS and a slipper clutch further cater to new riders while the optional quickshifter appeals to the performance-minded.
KTM packs all that performance and tech into the same lightweight trellis frame suspended by a WP APEX inverted fork and WP APEX shock absorber. The 43mm front end offers 6.7 inches of travel along with compression and rebound damping adjustments. The monoshock provides 6.9 inches of rear wheel travel and users can dial the spring preload and rebound. To take on the toughest trails, KTM outfits the 390 Adventure with a stronger five-spoke 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel. Shod in Continental TKC 70 tires, the new wheelset boasts the best blend of performance in the dirt and on the asphalt.
The Bybre 4-piston radially-mounted front caliper mated to a 320mm disc and a 2-piston floating rear clamper paired to a 260mm rotor completes the chassis. In addition to cornering ABS, the Bybre system also touts Off-Road ABS, which deactivates ABS on the rear wheel and reduces intervention on the front. A windscreen, tapered aluminum handlebars, and an ergonomically-shaped 3.8-gallon tank enhance comfort while LED lighting, a 5-inch TFT display, and Bluetooth connectivity provide modern convenience.
Fresh new graphics align the 390 Adventure with KTM’s Dakar-winning Factory Rally team. Available in black and blue liveries with orange accents, the new rally-inspired colorways relay the small-bore ADV’s off-road ambitions. The 2022 KTM 390 Adventure will hit showrooms in February 2022, and MSRP is $6,599.
For more information or to find a KTM dealer near you, visit ktm.com.
My #1 question: did they fix the most common complaint of it forgetting it’s settings every time you stall/restart the bike? This has really aggravated anyone trying to take this thing offroad.
“Its”, not “it’s”. Silly autocorrect!
It seems they have – they say it will hold the off road TC setting for a short time after a stall.
Awesome!! Thank you.
Yes in the 2022 model it is fixed
Yes Zander they have done it by introducing the new traction control with two modes street nd off-road
Ooof that headlight is hella ugly
I second Fyre’s comment . . . but it’s got a great personality.
Great story and pix of my favorite adventure category: de-activated logging roads. The 390 Adventure looks like a nice replacement for my tired, old XT-350. The KTM appears well-matched to KLR-350 and that would actually make an interesting comparison test? Toss in the Himalayan for fun and make it a 3-way ‘shoot-out’. BTW, that headlight looks hella-bright 😉
Just a short-suspension, orange Suzuki DRZ400S. Been makin’ ’em since 2002. Add a windshield and soft bags, and the DRZ will do anything, go anywhere, and do it forever, for nothing.
KTM, when is a KTM/Husky spoke wheel ADV and/or Enduro version coming with this engine? We’ve all seen those investor images of future bikes and you’re showing more upscale 390/401 variations. Where are they???
I had one on order for April delivery and now postponed to July any news on production delays and timetables of deliveries to the US.
The 390 Duke was a great little bike, I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to these making it into the used marketplace, I hope they do as well as the LC4 and the RFS bikes since they’re still great options to this day.
Dude comparing this to a DRZ400S? What a joke. DRZ is a dual sport. This is an adventure bike. DRZ has no fuel injection, no abs, no traction control, no windscreen, no half fairing, no 6th gear, smaller gas tank, worse charging system, worse brakes and looks even worse.
Granted, the DRZ is a good deal better in the rough stuff with those tires, that suspension travel (with garbage spring weights) and that ground clearance.
Comparing the two? KTM beats that ass on the road. Fire roads/gravel/light dirt leans DRZ (at higher speeds) and gnarly stuff? Who’s taking this KTM on single track? And why?
I’m a big fan of smaller is better when it comes to ADV bikes. With the shorter suspension travel and smaller wheels I would have expected a lower seat height though. Let’s hope a full suite of ADV add ons will be available to make this long distance capable.
I wish the bike came with a slightly lower seat height… Vertically challenged at a standstill!
Any way tu get a lower seat without sacrificing comfort for my backside?