KTM 390 Enduro R First Ride Review: A No-compromise Trail-focussed Machine

We have been waiting for the KTM 390 Enduro R ever since we first saw it and it has finally been launched. Based on the same 390 ADV platform, this is a purpose built bike that was meant to appeal to real Enduro enthusiasts. Although, as soon as the specifications were revealed, we sensed a lot of disappointment on social media from KTM fanboys. That is because KTM India decided to give us an India-spec bike with less suspension travel than the International-spec model. We spent some time riding the bike off-road and here is what our experience was like.

Design

At first glance, the 390 Enduro R looks like a scaled-down 390 ADV. It skips the full rally tower but gets a purposeful and sleek-looking front end. With leaner body panels, a 9-liter fuel tank, and a flatter rally-style seat, it’s clear that this bike was built to tackle trails. It gets 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked wheels, as opposed to the 21 & 17-inch setup on the 390 Adventure. KTM have opted for tubed tyres instead of tubeless, as it is better to have tubed tyres during hard enduro riding, in case you land up bending your rim. 

Ergonomics

While the international-spec model gets 230mm of travel at both ends, the India-spec Enduro R sticks to 200 mm at the front and 205 mm at the rear, the same as the 390 Adventure. This has reduced the seat height to 860mm compared to the international-spec model which gets a seat height of 890mm. With my 5’7 frame, I was not able to flat foot to the ground but the riding position while standing up and riding is nice. With the slim profile of the bike, it is easy to lock your legs on the tank while standing up to tackle trails. 

Performance

The 390 Enduro R uses the familiar 398.6cc single-cylinder engine, but gets revised sprocketing. It now comes with a 48-tooth rear sprocket, giving it punchier low-end torque which is perfect for off-road enduro riding . In my time spent with the motorcycle, I never went above second gear, which just tells you how powerful of a machine this is off road. 

The bike has a kerb weight of 177kg, making it 11 kg heavier than the international Enduro R. This is due to added crash protection like grab rails, crash bars, and a saree guard. Enthusiasts can remove these parts to drop the weight, but it is a trade-off between performance and practicality. The adjustable suspension did work really well for my weight so lighter riders will find it compliant, but heavier or taller riders might require the added travel.

Features

For an enduro motorcycle, the 390 Enduro R comes packed with a lot of features. It gets a compact yet informative TFT display that is visible even in direct sunlight. There’s also a USB-C port, adjustable levers and an adjustable handlebar clamp, and a quickshifter that works seamlessly. A really nice addition is the dedicated ABS button that allows a rider to quickly deactivate it when needed off-road.

Verdict

The KTM 390 Enduro R is a capable and exciting motorcycle that delivers serious off-road thrills. If you’re an experienced rider looking for a powerful, trail-focused machine that doesn’t compromise on tech or thrills, the 390 Enduro R surely delivers. That being said, don’t expect it to be the perfect beginner bike because it is still an aggressive machine. 

KTM’s decision to lower suspension travel for the Indian market may leave hardcore riders slightly disappointed. There are a bunch of models in India from KTM for each type of rider, so the Enduro R should have been that one enthusiast-oriented product. That said, KTM says it will offer a variant with 230mm wheel travel (at both ends) soon. At Rs 3,36,500 (ex-showroom Delhi), the 390 Enduro R is a great value-for-money motorcycle, and can be easily chosen over the much less powerful, less feature-packed enduro, the Kawasaki KLX230, priced at Rs 3,30,000 (ex-showroom).

As mentioned before,  we did ride the bike only off-road at this event so we do hope to test it in different conditions to bring you a more detailed review in the future.