KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW – Daring ATM?

November 25, 2023 1 By The Editor

KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW – Introduction

Taking any vehicle out on a pleasant day is a piece of cake. Taking it out when everything including the weather forecast tells you to sit at home and enjoy the rains from you balcony is another thing. Also, taking the KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW out in the night during rains and peak traffic allowed me to test the mettle at a time when the erstwhile employee will have a lot to deal with. Will you endure traffic or will you ride it out? This is what the machine lets you do

KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW – #Dare2Adv?

Before you landed here, you have seen on the world wide web and probably in person what the KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW is capable of. Those popping wheelies, table top landings and not to forget the “precision maneuvers” – quite aspirational no?

But then again we are a batch of 9 to 5 white collars who cant wait to get out of our cubicles to make it home. Home, a destination that the journey itself is an adventure, from the time the raincoat goes on until it drips in your doorway. Riding through slush and pot hole welcoming streets with the rain battering down on your helmet visor. What do you do? Simply endure it or, make a ride out of it!

KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW – Intimidating

Yes! When you have a KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW standing tall, you go big to go home. Indeed for the average build individuals, those in the sub 5.10 height the motorcycle can be intimidating. That is, unless you’ve spent enough time riding and training with a similar motorcycle. Nevertheless, some of us tend to overdo it and end up being the laughter quotient of our peer circle.

However, starting with small steps and understanding the motorcycle the confidence level goes up. As you slide into “saddle“ the narrow yet comfortable rider seat lets you dive in aided by the WP Apex suspension that helps your feet hit the ground with an assurance that its got your back. A wide handle bar that lets you switch direction with a flick of the wrist and topping it off an upright seating stance that gives you a clear view of the road ahead.

KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW – Ride the rain

Ditching the spec sheet and the day time heroics, let us get to the first time impressions. I took the KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW (Spoke Wheels) during peak hours on a weekday post sunset. So here’s the mix – the possibility of running into never-ending line of traffic with heavy downpour on a never experienced form factor, this made skydiving look easy. Taking out this beast on the road was easier that assumed otherwise. But then again, the familiar engine beat makes it easy to settle into.

First Impressions

The tell all dashboard keeps you updated with everything without toggling around so you can focus on the road. Speaking of which, the headlight is bright enough to ride through the rain soaked night.
For the first impressions, I kept everything from suspension to ABS on stock/ street setting.
With every unseen bump and water filled roads the suspension system tells you why an ADV is a necessity on Indian roads.
The braking is spot on and the KTM is rather nimble on its feet.
Yes, for first timers steering the front 19 inch wheel will take some time getting used to.

KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW – Adventure Thrill Machine

Unlike other motorcycles from the KTM family, the KTM 390 ADVENTURE SW is a subtle yet powerful machine. The light and nimble and confidence inspiring handling is what I really liked. What I would really like is an option for a touring seat. The large grab rail and well placed rear foot pegs make the perfect setting for mounting most types of motorcycle luggage. Also, the KTM gets it own stock adv crash guard which seems to offer adequate protection. An easy to navigate dashboard, best in class ergonomics and a refined yet powerful engine makes it the ideal ATM – Adventure Thrill Machine. Don’t ride by statistic, ride by instinct.