Austrian bike maker KTM has officially announced the KTM 390 Adventure for the Indian market. The official release from the company states that the motorcycle will be launched in 2019. A more specific launch timeline is awaited.
Back in January 2017, Rajiv Bajaj, MD – Bajaj Auto Ltd., which co-owns KTM, verbally confirmed the KTM 390 Adventure for India. The motorcycle is yet to be unveiled officially. It may make its global debut at EICMA in November this year in Milan, Italy. The smallest member of the KTM Adventure series has been spotted testing on several occasions, but an official unveiling date is yet to be announced.
The company says that the KTM 390 Adventure "will draw its lineage" from their rally-racing history as well as from the 1290 Super Adventure. The product will be a "state-of-the-art package to ride long distances and conquer any terrain."
Powering the KTM 390 Adventure will be the same engine that does duty on the KTM 390 Duke and the KTM RC 390. This 373.22 cc single cylinder unit produces a max power of 43.5 PS and 37 Nm in the 390 Duke. It pairs with a 6-speed transmission with slipper clutch. For the 390 Adventure, the engine will be tuned differently to cater to the needs of an adventure tourer.
Compare to other members of the 390 series, the upcoming adventure bike, as revealed by spy shots, will have bigger, spoke wheels, and petal discs. The test mules have also been spotted sporting knobby tires and a fly-screen above the headlamp. The suspension will have longer travel and a higher seat height. It will get an all-LED headlamp, fully digital instrumentation, and a design inspired heavily by that of the 1090 Adventure.
Also Read - KTM 390 Adventure rendering
Currently, in the Indian market, the rivals of the KTM 390 Adventure include the Royal Enfield Himalayan and the Kawasaki Versys X-300. By the time the motorcycle arrives, it will have to contend with the BMW G 310 GS as well, the bookings for which opened recently. The 390 Adventure will be manufactured at Bajaj Auto's facility in Chakan, Pune. The plant already produces the KTM Duke and RC series motorcycles. Local manufacturing will ensure a very competitive price tag.
