The sub-500cc adventure motorcycle market is quite an interesting space in India. The segment caters to an audience fascinated by the idea of having a motorcycle that is a jack of all trades. So we are looking at options that are good at long-distance touring, can easily take on bad roads and the occasional trail rides while being a decent commuter too. And all of this while being comfortable and not drilling a hole in your pocket when you go to buy one.
And of all the adventure-touring motorcycles we have out there, the most popular are the KTM 390 Adventure and the Royal Enfield Himalayan. Now, to make the 390 ADV more accessible, KTM launched the X version of the motorcycle. On the other hand, Royal Enfield is working on the Himalayan 450. We have been seeing quite a few test mules doing the rounds. The motorcycle looks interesting and the launch is expected to happen by the end of this year.
So, getting right into it- should you walk right into a KTM showroom and get home a 390 Adventure X or hold onto your money and wait for the Himalayan 450? Allow us to make that decision simpler for you, because we will be listing all that you need to know about the two motorcycles and then weighing why you should choose one over the other.
Styling
While styling is subjective and would differ from individual to individual, it is good to point out the differences the two motorcycles have when it comes to design approach.
The KTM 390 Adventure X has the exact same bodywork as the regular model which derives its inspiration from the 790 and 890 Adventure. So you have a single fender with a split LED headlamp, extended tank shrouds and a sleek tail section. The Adventure X is offered in different colour schemes to set it apart from the standard variant.
But that said, the KTM’s bodywork is done up in fibre. On the other hand, the Himalayan 450, just like the Himalayan 411 is expected to come with metal panels and fuel tank. While this adds weight, it does make the motorcycle more rugged.
And that goes well with the design approach that Royal Enfield has taken with the 450. It looks inspired by Dakar motorcycles and exudes a hardcore off-road motorcycle look. The 21-17 inch spoke wheels combo, and high set mudguard further adds to its appeal. That said, it does have Himalayan traits like the somewhat squarish fuel-tank, a tall windscreen and the circular headlamp which is now fitted with LED lighting.
Ergonomics and comfort
As much as we’d like to get you an exclusive review of the Himalayan 450 and tell you every little detail about the motorcycle, we can only speculate what it could be based on our experience with the Himalayan 411. By the looks of it, the 450 could have a tall seat height, but with comfortable ergos.
The spy images suggest that the footpeg is positioned right below the rider-just like the 411- and that motorcycle has a credible standing up position and good grip on the tank. The spy images also reveal that the 450 could get a slightly curved seat, so we can expect the sitting position to be relaxed too.
On the other hand, the 390 ADV X offers a more upright and somewhat aggressive riding posture. Standing up on the pegs is not the most comfortable experience since there is not much grip from the fuel tank. However, the 390 Adventure offers great sitting ergos. With a long and decently cushioned seat, touring on the motorcycle is majorly stress-free.
Now, the 390 ADV X comes with a tall, 855mm seat height that can be a challenge for shorter riders. On the flip side, the Himalayan 411 offers a more accessible 800mm seat height and the 450 is also likely to come with similar dimensions.
Engine performance
When it comes down to engine performance, the Himalayan 450 does have a bigger engine, compared to the KTM’s 373cc motor. However, the power output on the 390 ADV is more than what we expect from the Himalayan 450.
The single-cylinder engine on the KTM 390 Adventure churns out close to 43bhp while the Himalayan is likely to offer around 40bhp. But the torque output on the 450 is expected to be higher at around 45Nm while the KTM offers 37Nm.
That said, the engine on the 390 Adventure is tuned for touring rather than proper off-road riding. Its power edges towards the top-end and you’d end up working the motorcycle more at slow speeds and lower gears. That is not the case with the Himalayan 411. It offers incredible low end torque while sacrificing top-end performance. We can expect Royal Enfield to follow a similar path while tuning the 450.
With that said, the suspension setup on the 450 is what we’re looking forward to. The 411 gets a pliant setup and the 450 is unlikely to steer far. Moreover, the spy images have revealed that the motorcycle will get Showa upside down forks that are non-adjustable, just like the WPs offered on the 390 Adventure X.
Features
Now this is where it gets interesting. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 will be one of the most advanced motorcycles to roll out from the factory. Not only does it now have a liquid-cooled motor, the Himalayan is also expected to feature full-LED lighting. It also gets a large display that is likely to be an LCD unit and will come with Bluetooth connectivity. It would also get the Tripper Navigation system fitted as standard.
While all of this is something to wow about when it comes from a Royal Enfield motorcycle, the 390 ADV has been offering these features since it was first introduced. Yes, the X version misses out on some features like a TFT screen, Bluetooth connectivity and traction control, but it does offer full-LED lighting, ride-by-wire throttle, dual-channel ABS and a slipper clutch as standard.
Pricing
Now onto the most important bit which is the pricing. The 390 ADV X is priced at Rs 2.80 lakh. While it does get lesser features, the pricing puts it in between the KTM 250 ADV and the regular 390 ADV with a difference of around Rs 50,000. If you compare it against the Himalayan 411 or even the Yezdi Adventure, the KTM is much more expensive. But then, the Himalayan 450 is expected to be priced around Rs 2.6-2.7 lakh, just about undercutting the 390 Adventure X.
Which of the two to buy?
So, should you wait for the Himalayan 450 or go for the KTM 390 Adventure X now? Well, with what we know, both motorcycles offer a similar list of features. As for engine, the Himalayan is likely to offer better low-end performance and with liquid-cooling it is also expected to be less vibey. Whether or not it is more refined than the 390 ADV, we’ll know when we ride the motorcycle. But as of now, we expect the 390 ADV X to have relatively better cruising speed.
So, if you are in a hurry to buy a motorcycle, the 390 Adventure X with its revised pricing is a good buy- offering good value for the cost. The motorcycle is comfy for long-distance rides and can do a bit of off-roading as well. But if you want something that would be slightly more off-road focused with ergonomics to match, wait for the Himalayan 450. While the difference in pricing isn’t much, you are not going to be missing a lot when it comes to features either.
