KTM 390 Adventure vs 390 Duke: Sibling Rivalry

The KTM 390 Duke has been a benchmark in its segment as it gives the best bang for your buck. Now, the Austrian bike maker has brought in its ADV sibling, the 390 Adventure, in India. For all those who are wondering what’s exactly different in both bikes, we shed some light on the differences and which one’s better on paper. 

Design

Both the KTMs draw styling inspiration from their larger sibling. While the 390 Duke borrows design elements from the 1290 Super Duke, the 390 Adventure looks similar to its 790cc version. They sport a split LED headlamp, sharp fuel tank extensions and a svelte tail section. However, according to their respective themes, the 390 Duke boasts of a squat-like stance while the ADV looks more upright. The former is also adorned with bolder graphics, orange wheels, orange frame and white sub-frame. On the other hand, the ADV looks comparatively understated with subtle graphics and black frame and wheels.

Features

This is the department where the 390 Adventure has an absolute upper hand. It gets additional features such as bi-directional quick shifter, traction control and cornering ABS. What’s common on both bikes is full-LED lighting, slipper clutch, ABS with Supermoto mode (switches off ABS for rear wheel only) and ride-by-wire throttle. They also share an identical full-colour TFT instrument cluster which gets Bluetooth connectivity. However, the display on the 390 ADV gets a different user interface and layout. 

Engine

KTM has employed the same engine on both bikes, but with varying gear ratios depending on their purpose. Moreover, the adventure sibling is already BS6 compliant while the Duke is yet to be updated according to the new emission regulations. Both bikes are propelled by a 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor which churns out 43bhp of power at 9,000rpm and 37Nm of peak torque at 7,000rpm. It comes mated to a six-speed gearbox. 

Hardware and dimensions

While the 390 Duke and Adventure have been equipped with similar hardware, there are a few differences which are in line with their genres. Underpinning both the KTMs is a steel trellis frame which is suspended by upside down forks up front and a monoshock at the rear. However, while the Duke sports standard WP suspension setup, the ADV model incorporates Apex version of the same with longer travel at both ends. A major distinction also lies in the wheel size and tyres. The 390 Duke rides on 17-inch wheels shod with road tyres while the ADV gets larger 19-inch wheel upfront and a 17-inch unit at the rear with dual-purpose tyres. Braking hardware remains identical with 320mm disc at the front and a 230mm disc at the rear.

Considering its touring intentions, KTM has equipped the ADV with a 14.5litre fuel tank which is one litre larger than that of the Duke. Furthermore, the Adventure model boasts of a seat height of 855mm and a ground clearance of 200mm which is 25mm and 22mm more than the Duke.  

Pricing

KTM retails the 390 Duke at Rs 2.47 lakhs in India. Considering the performance, hardware and features it offers, the Duke comes across as a profoundly value-for-money proposition for its segment. Now, priced at Rs 2.99 lakhs, the KTM 390 Adventure is Rs 52,000 more expensive. But that premium seems to be justified considering the adventure-oriented hardware which makes the ADV more versatile and it also comes with a longer feature list. (Both prices are ex-showroom)