New KTM 390 Adventure R and 390 Adventure X on their way for 2025

KTM is updating its small-capacity adventure bike range for 2025 with two new models: the 390 Adventure R and the 390 Adventure X.

As you’d expect from a KTM wearing the ‘Adventure R’ badge, this version is focused on off-road capability. Meanwhile, the 390 Adventure X is built towards both street riding and accessibility for all abilities of rider.

Many people have been asking for a more off-road capable small capacity KTM adventure bike for a while now, and while we’ve enjoyed the previous generation of KTM 390 Adventure, it’s good to see KTM building on this platform and providing different options for different styles of riders.

This is what’s new with the KTM 390 Adventure range for 2025.

KTM 390 Adventure R engine, frame, and suspension

Let’s start with the highly-anticipated 390 Adventure R. This bike looks like it will deliver some genuine off-road ability thanks in part to sharing a large amount of hardware with the recently announced 390 Enduro R.

The engine is the same LC4c unit found across the 2025 390 range, with the 398cc motor producing 44bhp at 8,500rpm and 39Nm of torque at 7,000rpm.

Designed to be playful whether on the streets or the dirt, while still being user friendly and returning good economy, the engine has only received tweaks from the previous LC4 generation to enable it to pass Euro 5+ emissions tests. But the fact that it hasn’t changed much is fine with us. We’ve enjoyed it on the previous 390 Adventure and refinements can only be a good thing.

Aside from the engine, however, and a lot has changed between the previous 390 Adventure and the new 390 Adventure R.

This includes a new frame and subframe, with the main frame design shared between the other new 390 models but featuring a different steering head angle, triple clamps, subframe mounts, and rigidity profile on the 390 Adventure R that KTM says is ‘specifically engineered for off-road use with improved handling, control, and stability.’

The subframe meanwhile is a bolt-on steel affair, designed to take a one-piece seat along with providing the correct geometry for the long-stroke suspension.

Talking about suspension, the 390 Adventure R comes with WP Apex forks and shocks that offer 230mm of travel. The fork is adjustable for compression and rebound, while the shock offers rebound and preload adjustment. However, you’ll need a tool to adjust the preload.

All this should make the 390 Adventure R quite the useable little machine off-road, and we can’t wait to see how it handles.

Wheels, brakes, and technology

The KTM 390 Adventure R rolls on a 21″ front wheel and an 18″ rear, fitted with Mitas Enduro Trail E07+ tyres, so it’s ready to tackle the dirt straight out of the showroom.

Braking is handled by Bybre components, with the front wheel equipped with a 320mm floating disc and a two-piston caliper, while the rear has a 240mm disc with a single-piston caliper.

ABS can be switched into off-road mode, which allows for locking up the rear wheel, although it seems like it’s unable to be switched completely off.

The 390 Adventure R features a 5″ TFT dash with Street, Rain, and Off Road riding modes, along with cornering traction control which is able to switched completely off.

You also get phone connectivity enabling control over your music, incoming calls, and turn-by-turn navigation which can be accessed via a new four-way switchgear.

To round out the specs, the 390 Adventure R has a seat height of 870mm, a 14l fuel tank, and weighs 165kg with oils but no fuel.

KTM 390 Adventure X

Meanwhile, the 390 Adventure X fills the shoes left by the current 390 Adventure in offering a more road-focused machine.

The main difference is the 19″ front and 17″ rear cast wheels  fitted with either Apollo Tramplr XR or MRF Meteor rubber, along with the non-adjustable WP Apex fork and a shock that’s adjustable for preload, again with a tool.

While designed primarily for road use, both units offer 200mm of travel, so light trail duties are definitely not out of the question.

Elsewhere, the dash is a 5″ LCD unit rather than a TFT, and the 390 Adventure X also has standard traction control, without cornering optimisation. Also, the front brake uses floating calipers rather than the floating disc found on the Adventure R model.

The seat height of the Adventure X is an accessible 825mm, and as with the Adventure R, the bike has a 14l fuel tank and weighs 165kg without fuel.

Both bikes feature KTM’s latest design concept, which has rally-inspired fairings and windshields and strip LED headlights surrounding the main headlight unit.

Availability and price

The KTM 390 Adventure R will arrive in UK dealerships in late March with the price of £6,699 reflecting the more premium suspension, technology, and tyres fitted, while the 390 Adventure X is arriving in autumn 2025, costing £5,399.

Various accessories, or Powerparts in KTM-speak, will be available as well, including hard luggage and cruise control.