KTM 390 Adventure X 2026 — Specifications

Since 2003, KTM has carved its path in the adventure segment with the conviction of brands unafraid to get their boots dirty. The small-displacement model arrived later, in 2020, in a likeable but somewhat timid package. With the new generation reaching dealers in 2025, a new era begins with the long-awaited arrival of the KTM 390 Adventure X and its siblings in showrooms worldwide. The X, the one we're focusing on here, has no ambitions of boulder-hopping. It wants to cover ground — real miles, genuine daily riding with some muscle behind it.

The first visual impression makes a clean break from the previous version. The front fairing draws direct inspiration from the larger 1390 Super Adventure, the short mudguard echoes motocross machines, and the overall silhouette is far more assertive than its predecessor. The handguards have been redesigned, the windscreen is taller, the side panels more enveloping. On this front, KTM has clearly worked on wind protection, which matters when you're targeting motorway runs or long national road stints. The result is a motorcycle that looks like something, that has presence — which wasn't always the case with small trail bikes in this segment.

Under the bodywork, the engine is entirely new. The 398.7 cc single-cylinder unit derived from the latest Duke receives a revised cylinder head, a new injector, and optimised intake. The result: 45 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 40.2 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm, all in a package weighing 165 kg fully fuelled. These figures place it just below the A2 licence ceiling, making it a serious candidate for new riders who want a proper adult motorcycle without artificially restricting a larger-displacement machine. The steel trellis frame is shared with the SMC R and Enduro R of the same proportions; its steering geometry has been revised compared to the 390 Duke to better suit trail riding demands. The 6-speed gearbox delivers smoother shifts, and the elimination of the traditional exhaust silencer shaves two kilograms off the total. In practice, it revs freely, pulls strongly up to 160 km/h, and the engine's character remains accessible without catching the rider off guard mid-corner.

What the X is not, however, deserves an honest mention. Compared to the R variant, it concedes ground on several technical points: less suspension travel (200 mm nonetheless, on both wheels, with a non-adjustable 43 mm WP inverted fork), no Rain mode, no cornering traction control, no TFT display. The LCD readout does the job without inspiring excitement. A rider who wants to fine-tune their machine's settings will find the X somewhat limited in its options. Against a Royal Enfield Himalayan or a Honda CB500X, the KTM 390 Adventure X 2026 plays in a similar price bracket at €6,199, but with a sharper engine and a more sporting chassis. The Himalayan will appeal more to relaxed touring enthusiasts; the KTM, to those who want forward momentum.

The 825 mm seat height positions the bike for intermediate-sized riders, and the 14.5-litre tank provides a respectable range for long days in the saddle. During the KTM 390 Adventure X 2025 test we conducted at its press launch, the machine proves pleasant on varied tarmac, with a healthy and predictable character. The twin-piston Bybre caliper on a 320 mm front disc inspires confidence without being brutal, and the disconnectable rear ABS leaves room for expression for those who like to explore. The KTM 390 Adventure X used market will begin to emerge once early owners move up to the R, but for now, buying new is where the value proposition holds.

In the end, KTM has made a clear statement with the KTM 390 Adventure X 2026: a competent road-focused motorcycle, mechanically well-conceived, financially accessible, and honest in its ambitions. It makes no claim to replace a large adventure bike, but it delivers on its mini-GT promise without apology. For a rider who wants to leave the tarmac without ever truly getting lost out there, this is exactly the right tool.