Think KTM 390 Adventure and a long list of segment firsts come to mind. MTC (traction control), Cornering ABS, Off-road ABS, ride-by-wire, an info-packed colour TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity… oh wait, sounds a bit overwhelming, perhaps? Too good to be true even? In a pleasantly strange way, it isn’t. The KTM 390 Adventure has a strong legacy to live up to and, despite already setting a tall benchmark, it only keeps getting better with time. Case in point: the 2022 KTM 390 Adventure.
The 390 Adventure takes its fun rather seriously, and for 2022, it steps up on just how much further you can go with it. For instance, it now gets two traction control modes, the first being the full-intervention ‘Street’ - completely disengageable as well - and the second being ‘Off-road’, which allows a slight degree of rear-wheel spin on slippery surfaces before intervening. Most importantly, these settings are user-defined and therefore don’t reset when the bike is turned off - a positive departure from the settings on the previous model of the 390 Adventure.
This feature addition alone is a significant one, given that it helps riders across the board - newbies, naturally inconsistent with throttle inputs, will find comfort in the seamless traction control experience while experts will surely revel in the level of manual control (and minimal intervention) this system offers. A balance of fun and safety - that’s what makes motorcycle adventures truly memorable, right?
But where are these adventures? Are they to be taken lightly? Where do you even begin?! The answer, thankfully, emerges the moment you enter the KTM family and sign up for your days to be painted a bright orange - KTM Pro-XP. Heard of it? Sure you have, especially if you’re hooked onto the consistent feed of awe-inspiring visuals that appear enviably often on its social media feed. Essentially, KTM Pro-XP is a riding & community engagement program that offers a range of professional riding experiences (Trail, Track and Tarmac) for KTM owners to hone their riding skills on.
For someone new to off-tarmac adventures, the KTM Pro-XP Adventure Trail is a great place to begin. Single-day rides through specially-curated (and rather picturesque) trails with an opportunity to learn from KTM’s expert riders are what make the Pro-XP Adventure Trail a tremendous opportunity to get to understand your machine and skillset better than you will anywhere else. As a bonus, you’ll also inevitably find out just how friendly and capable the 390 Adventure is, especially with the new updates. And no, signing up for these trails isn’t (thankfully) an adventure; just get on the KTM official mobile app, head to the KTM Pro-XP section and book a slot for yourself. If you have friends on KTMs along, even better!
The typical Pro-XP Adventure Trail involves a decent highway group ride leading to an interesting off-road trail, the sort that lets you learn more than it intimidates. Here, the 390 Adventure’s two traction control modes truly shine, as they keep you enjoying the superbly-configured motorcycle’s many thrills in an uninterrupted and genuinely encouraging way. Gravel? Wet patches? You just need to trust the motorcycle and your instincts, and the 390 Adventure takes care of the rest.
On trails in particular, the 390 Adventure feels at home. The ergonomics, weight balance, an amply energetic engine, and a set of dependable tyres and brakes, all of these work to your benefit through unfavourable terrain and scenarios. Go too hard on the throttle and the Off-road mode allows the rear to slide just enough before cutting power so as to prevent you from taking a tumble! This gets better as you get accustomed to it, because then you can intentionally dial in the power where you feel like, assured that the TC has your back in case you overdo it.
Of course, you’re bound to have your share of spills along the way (learning wouldn’t be as memorable without it, no? But, unlike on the previous bike in which the traction control would reset after a restart, the 2022 390 Adventure keeps the bike in the mode you last selected when you crank it up again - that’s what you call insightful technology you can expect only from a brand that’s ruled the roost across competitive off-road events around the world, for decades now! And while you do get to know your machine so much better, KTM’s Pro-XP Adventure Trail also introduces you to other essential riding principles such as vision, throttle control, braking and body positioning.
What happens when you wish to evolve from the Adventure Trail to something more challenging, though? Oh, you’ll be spoilt for choice! The off-road enthusiasts amongst you can sign up for the Adventure Academy, a single-day, closed-circuit, off-road training programme designed by KTM’s experts. KTM’s dealerships host something called an Adventure Escape, typically single-day morning rides on which you can explore interesting routes around your city. For those seeking elaborate experiences, Adventure Tours are a fantastic option, being 7 to 14-days long and involving an adventure-packed itinerary and - as a compulsion - breathtaking views.
Spoilt for choice? Well, that was inevitable - you signed up for an adventure, sorry, a KTM 390 Adventure, after all!
