KTM have finally given the 390 Adventure spoked wheels in 2023, as an option alongside the cast wheels.

Is that going to transform the bike? Probably not, although it may offer a lot more piece of mind to those who really prefer spoked wheels, and won’t buy this style of bike without them, which is fair. But the cast wheels were updated in 2022 to be much stronger too alongside a number of other tweaks, and you’ll now have a choice between the spoked or cast wheel options. It is notable that the spoked wheels are running tubes too, and of course this is the same 19/17 inch wheel combo we saw last year.

Overall I think this is a great change, pending how much the 2023 models are going to cost, which isn’t announced here in Australia, but the bikes are expected in May, and the spoked wheel version will come in a Black/Orange colourway, while the cast wheel version will be Blue/Orange, like we saw available in 2022.

There’s no other changes mentioned by KTM, so the already impressive 2022 package is carried over, which apart from the upgraded cast wheels, also went Euro5 and lowered the seat height to 830 mm, with tweaks to the traction control system.

That leaves the KTM 390 Adventure as still quite a well rounded motorcycle overall, whether for new riders looking for an ADV, or more experienced riders who just like a smaller capacity or lighter machine. The trade-off of being well-rounded is no other changes to the off-road emphasis, so the 390 Adventure won’t be replacing a 500 EXC in anyone’s garage anytime soon.

The 373 cc single-cylinder engine remains at the top of the class with 44 hp and 37 Nm of torque, a PASC slipper clutch, and traction control, even if that performance is dulled down a little compared to the Duke and RC, with a slightly more laid back character.

The adjustable WP Apex suspension again is class leading, both for the level of adjustment, but also for being long travel, 170 front, 177 mm rear, alongside 200 mm of ground clearance.

Brakes are by Bybre, which is a cheaper in-brand Brembo, with a nice big 320 mm front rotor and four-piston radial caliper, with the rear is a 230 mm rotor and dual-piston caliper, with cornering ABS and off-road mode, which turns off rear ABS and lowers front sensitivity.

The off-road ABS is expected, but cornering functionality is pretty impressive at this price bracket, and there’s actually an off-road mode for the traction control too allowing some slip, where otherwise traction control can be quite intrusive.

Weighing in at 172 kg is a pretty decent figure, if not dual-sport level, and the 14.5 litre fuel tank is generous enough for a 300 km plus range. The 830 mm seat height isn’t super low, but at the same time, it’s hard to get 170 mm of travel at each end, AND 200 mm of clearance, and a super low seat height. You want that travel and clearance too, the 390 Adventure is great along fire trails and well capable of taking big bumps and potholes in it’s stride without bottoming out, either for clearance or in the suspension.

You’re also getting a trellis frame, small screen with two levels of adjustment, LED lighting, Continental TKC70 stock tyres for some good dual purpose abilities and wider footpegs.

Images courtesy of KTM, by Rudi Schedl.

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