You don't know how to ride this bike! A KTM 390 Adventure.
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- In this video I explain how riders that have tested the KTM 390 Adventure and not liked is because they didn't know how to ride this bike. To ride this bike the way KTM had intended you need to ride it like it was stolen. You need to rip the engine and ring it out. Don't be afraid to use the engine where it produces the most horsepower and torque, which is at the higher RPM range. Ride the KTM 390 Adv right and you will love it.
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I couldn't agree more. It is a blast when you get the engine above 5k.
Hi, Matt. I agree that the 390 really scoots at higher RPM's, and sometimes I need that. But I just rode the first half of the NMBDR, and was so impressed with the low end torque. Now, although I do have a 14T front sprocket installed (and love it), the stock 390 has MORE torque than the DRZ at lower RPM's.
DRZ hits 10ft-lbs at 2600 rpm
KTM hits 10 ft-lbs at less than 2000
DRZ hits 15ft-lbs at 2900 rpm
KTM hits 15 ft-lbs at 2200
DRZ hits 20ft-lbs at 3900 rpm
KTM hits 20 ft-lbs at 3400
I love the way my 390 chugs up hills at low speed in 2nd or 3rd.
Great comparison, break down on the torque numbers. I didn't look that close. I have climbed some really steep hills that I didn't think were possible. This bike didn't break a sweat and made me look like a better rider than I am. Glad see you are hitting the NMBDR. I hope to finish it this fall or early next spring. I need to ride sections 1 and 2. Cheers.
@@advmatt break down on the torque numbers is a goot solution !! did it and love it !!!
Put a 14 tooth front sprocket on and it sits in all the right rev ranges. Agree, ride it the way it was designed. It will rev all day.
I agree. I did the Smokey Mountain 500 on mine. I was blown away at how well it crawled.
We all pay for a rev limiter when we buy a bike.
Yet most riders are afraid to use it.
Twist grip and go.
Any bike any size even more with smaller capacity
👍🏻
Couldn't agree more... Started riding as an enduro, and it's really is own beast.
5500-7500 it just performs gorgeous
I love my KTM 390 Adventure. This is not my first bike, and not my only bike. I wring the sucker out. It is a joy to ride in the mountains. I was riding on a two-track a couple of weeks ago, new to me, and I got to a very steep rocky section. I kicked it down into 1st and rode right up. At the top, I stopped and looked back down and I got a bit of vertigo because it was much steeper than I though it was and it would have been tough to walk up, but this little machine tore straightup. But the RPMs were ripping. Like you said, "ride it like you stole it!"
I did the same thing on a climb a few months back. When I first looked at it I was thinking, "Damn that's steep." Let's see what she will do, and it ripped right up, no issues. I was again, thoroughly impressed.
Hey Matt, all I can say is Amen and keep telling it like it is! I watched your Tenere Meh video a few days ago and was going to comment back to a viewer review. I didn't because I respect your channel and didn't want to put anything negative out there. In relation to your "don't know how to ride" insight the viewers premise was he'll never ride a KTM 390 again because on his Tenere he can idle along in first gear without having to slip the clutch. Not my idea of any kind of adventure riding but more power to him if that does it for him.
The problem is there are to many KTM 390 reviewers who somehow classify the 390 as a beginner bike. There are Pro riders on 125 and 250 motocross bikes doing triple jumps and back flips when they race. Since when did displacement become an indicator of skill set required for any bike and a substitute for knowing how to ride it. I've been riding motorcycles since I was 10 years old so maybe I just don't know or forgot what a beginners bike is?
If you are a beginner rider that's great, but don't knock the bike for being at fault if you're not willing to open it up. KTM's are meant to be ridden hard. Ride the 390 hard and trust me the last thing you'll be thinking about is vibrations.
Well said. I have been riding since I was 12, and all I knew to do when I started riding was to rip it, or the darn bike would die, because it wouldn't idle. I agree, displacement says nothing about a riders capabilities, its what the rider does with the bike.
You can plod along at low revs on the 390, but that's when the suspension feels stiff, and the bike feels vibey and noisy and all. Like you said, keep it revving a bit and it all starts working the way it was designed to. A remarkably capable machine.
p.s. I can ride at 6mph all day with no clutch or throttle in 1st, 8 in 2nd and 13 in 3rd, zero stalling. It is horrible when you open the throttle of course if you dont slip the clutch a bit, but , my bike at least, never stalls.
Impressive. I never plod along, maybe I should try it. Cheers.
@@advmatt I don't recommend it, just that I tried it a couple of weeks ago, and was well impressed that the bike didn't complain.
kesinlikle sana katılıyorum , yüksek devirlerde titreşim yok, motor stabil ve hızlı
Definitely fun and interesting to ride just for that reason. It 0:18 will beat a 23 kawi klr 650 in the low end and kindly show it what rpm is as it rips by
Mine is a beast after installing the Powertronics Xlite tuner and 14 tooth sprocket.
You d*ck! Where were you when I first got this bike? I have a Himalayan. It has 1 H.P. and at 1 RPM it will chug through the worst muck Louisiana can throw at me. Then I bought the KTM and yeah, especially with the RPM limiter for the first 600 miles, I was the tiniest bit disappointed. I really wasn't expecting much and I thought, well it's still pretty cool. Then, I noticed that there was another half of a tachometer there and I finally got a better feel for him (Thumper) and man, what a flippin' blast!
Thanks for spreading the word. This bike is awesome.
It does tend to break a turn signal from time to time.
Dern ruts!
S
Right on. Wring it out!!!!!!
That RPM limiter for the first 600 miles is just an idiot light. I had mine flashing like a Christmas tree for 600 miles while I ran it up to 7000-8000 RPM's, until it reset itself to 8500 :)
You nailed Matt. I ride a KTM Adv 390 and I ride at a higher RPM whenever I feel the ride is not smooth enough or whenever I need more power. That way the engine never fails to surprise me. The more you ask from it the more it gives you.
The engine starts to get smooth from 4k RPM & you can ride it at that for a relaxed ride but when you need more performance the engine really comes to life after 5k RPM and in that region it's a hell of a motorcycle.
This is a great bike and I chose this over the new KLR 650 when I was looking at bikes for the engine. It is a smaller but better engine that puts out more power and has a six speed transmission. The KLR is an awesome bike but for the $$$ you get way more bike with the KTM.
Completely agree. If the KLR had a six speed transmission I would have probably bought one but I am really satisfied with my 390.
Ride it like a 250f dirt bike ;) braapppppppppppp
I spent the month of July on an Africa Twin, loaded with gear, riding 10k miles across the USA and back. Big heavy bike. Good on pavement and manageable on gravel roads. It is hunger to pick up. Not fun on uneven ground to turn around. I ride solo into remote areas. The bike bike limited the risks I was willing to take to get where I wanted to go. Even before I headed out I had been looking for lighter smaller options that could do the 4 to 5 hundred miles days. Even one miserable 640 mile blast across S. Dakota to Illinois. How does the 390 do on the big mile days ? What is your typical tank range? I'd be happy to doc and show my travel. I'm thinking next year, 2 bikes and the trailer. Base camping different areas. I live in the Northeast but want to spend time in the northwest riding. Dirt roads are way more common there. Thanks for any reply.
See my previous comments on the GS video. I have done 500 mile days on this bike. It wasn't too bad. I did miss cruise control, but I have taken this bike places I only dreamed of taking the GS. It carries it's lighter weight so well it really does inspire offroad confidence instead of anxiety. All loaded up I would take the 390 just about anywhere but the most extreme of places. My bike is highly modified though. Ownership and modification costs are a fraction of premium bikes, and it's fun to mod and wrench.
It is ironic that I say the exact same thing about my 1200 Multistrada Enduro. It also isn't very happy lugging along at 3000 rpm, but is super happy and smooth at anything above about 6000.
The KTM 1290 Super Duke is the same way. Rev these bikes!
That is quite a bit of weight for this smaller engine. I am not sure it will perform the way you want.
Exactly…you have to rip it…I love mine, I would put it up against any Harley if you run it right…shift light is 8000 rpm.
Right on!
You just nailed it ! The sweet RPM spot I enjoy it between 4000-6000 for crushing in the hills . Any tips on off-roading and maintaining the rpm higher than 5000
Keep the bike in a gear lower than you think you should. Make sure you hear the bike revving and keep going.
Ready to race, ready to smashe - do you have to see an ad everytime you start the thing? LOL This issue is universal - apart from cruisers and many reteros, bikes like to be ridden above around 5500 rpm - even non orange ones. How many I4 reviews do you see where the guy putts about at 4500rpm and says - no soul man. Even the humble Honda 500 twin likes to be wrung - but nooooooo - ride at 4k and complain about power. Downshift and give it the beans for the love of mike.
So I totally agree, but it is an issue even with non orange machines. oh yes.
I completely agree with you. I recently purchased a Tenere 700 and I have had to ride it like the 390 to get it come alive. Once I started doing that, it became much more fun. Ride 'em all hard.
I love it, my range is between 4200 to 6500 rpm normal driving on the road and when I want to push it 6000 to 8500... Tham that bike is a good trill.
For sure. You know how to rip it.
I ride the tits off mine it’s a blast. Cheers Matt good video
I treat mine like a Ginger Stepchild.
Some reason, I keep stalling out in first, clutch FULLY in, right as soon as I roll down to a stop and I give some throttle to get the rpms up to get going. It just dies. There is something up with the lower end fuel trims or something. But you are right, this thing is a monster
This stalling problem has been fairly common. It went away for me after I had the valves adjusted. Regardless of mileage you might want to have yours checked. I know other riders that had the same problem and the valve adjustment took care of it. Also, check your air filter and air box. It is a really fun bike to ride.
Somebody finally said it. I hear a lot of complaint in my group about this bike and they keep the bike loaded with all the bells and whistle. They always say about the problems and all and I always wonder what problem. What are you talking about?
They just don't know how to ride this bike.
It’s probably a good bike but I don’t have the ability for this I’m a plodder ,you know what your talking about mate
Yeah, it's not really great for plodding without reving the engine. I have adapted my riding to higher RPMs on all bikes.
I find i cruise at around 6000 rpm as that was near where the limit was for the break in period. From there it is quick to get into the bikes real power.
Fortnine made a video discussing how under revving is harder on an engine.
And well your paying for that limiter so may as well use it!
You know how to ride this bike and the get the most out of it. Yeah, Fortnine's video on riding motorcycles in the upper rev range came a perfect time, supporting my position on how to ride this bike. This bike is so much fun, if it is ridden correctly.
I tell my buddies that it rides like a big turbo car. not alot of power, then a TON near the top of the RPM range
Great description for this bike.
haha I like you!
Its a sportbike motor, 2 stroke owners and sportbike riders wont complain
I owned a few drz 400sm and, the drz is better offroad but the 390 is better for street and highway but I'd rather have the drz on a trail
The DRZ is a better trail bike for sure.
You sure know what the engine should do rev it to work it
oh i beat mine like it owes me money.
Only way to ride it!
I love to rev this engine and hear the sounds. I also love to rev match and downshift all the time. You pretend you're a child that just downed an energy drink and you ride that sum a bish! If you ain't first your last!
Right on. Great analogy.
Riding on a pillow :)) It's an adventure bike, not an ergonomic chair.
Exactly, but I keep hearing how this bike has too much vibrations. It should!
Matt, with all due respect, the bike has ZERO low end, and NO POWER, unless I change the gearing, open the air box, install a full exhaust and then install a Fuel tuner...
The internet told me so, and the internet would not lie to me! 😉
As a person who has actually done all of the above after riding the bike for 18K miles... They are all myths. My 390 Adventure was a capable bike without any of that. 18K - 25K with all the "necessary mods" is all but unnoticably different - Frank
And now you have some reliability issues with the fuel controller...... Not every mod works out the way it is advertised. Cheers.
@@advmattmy Fuel X review comes out this week... I expect to lose my FB group privleges. And my Fuel X support review was so severe I made it Member only as I do not want to be that angry in public! 😮 - Frank
I have the fuel x with no issue. I added it in conjunction with other mods so I can’t attest to the fact that it made the bike better but, I’ve had zero issues as a result of it being in the bike. I’m interested in your review/findings. Thanks!
@@OneOldManRiding understood. I will watch for sure.
Thumper life.
I Have it and is a beast, 100% agry
Some 5000miles on this lil beast so far and totally agree. One note - maybe my feeling is wrong but it feels like the vibes are at different rpm ranges for each gear, would that be possible?
I don't know about vibes in different gears at different RPMs. I haven't really paid much attention to that. It's possible. I just try to keep the revs up where the bike smoothes out.
too funny. And i'd bet more than a few that shouldn't watch, will, and will complain anyway. can't way you didn't warn us, lol
Yep, there has been a few already.
I have this bike and its absolutely fun above 6k but in the heavy traffic we have here in india it becomes a bit of a task for your right hand still puts a smile on your face when you cover a gap. The gearing also is excellent and makes it even more fun when you rev out each gear. Thanks for putting this out i see a lot of complains from people who dont ride it properly
No problem. Seems you already know how to ride this bike properly.
My klx300 is similar, prime power above 6krpm.
Nice, Rev it hard to get the most.
You are exactly right. I have this bike, I love it but I was one of the ones that didn’t know how to ride it! After watching this video post, I tried your suggestions of keeping the RPM’s up around 5000 and, wow what a difference. Much smoother and much better throttle response! Thanks for the info. I love this bike even more now!
So glad this helped. Ride it like you stole and it's true potential will be unlocked. Cheers.
I found the same thing with my KLR, its a much nicer bike when you wind it out.
KLR owners should hear that. Thanks.
Well said! I ring the crap out of mine, it works well up in the RPMs
Yes it does. This bike performs so well when ridden hard.
In all Honesty Matt, there are very very few people who actually review the bike, and most who just talk about an experience with the 390 ADV. A review and a so called experience are two different things. A Review is something where a person talks about the bike, its capabilities and what might not be ideal based on the fact that you ride the bike, and not just for a day.
Most of these fools (I am sorry for being so blunt) just put shit online for views and don't have experience in offering a review. They talk ONLY about there likes and how they ride, while trying to be objective so to speak. The minute I hear one of these idiots talk about it cannot really do offroad, I know it is a fool. They don't define offroad and then compare it to $15k bikes. They really look like idiots. They also don't know what the word adventure means, but rather follow to clique about what offroad means. Offroad generally means on the tramac, dirt roads etc.
I am actually so pleased it is you who politely called out some off the bullshit. I have the same sentiments as your self and you helped me purchase and decide on what to get as my first bike which is the 390. The internet is really full of fools, who cannot see something for what it is and what its purpose is.
Thanks for the feedback. I am with you. I cringe every time some supposed expert craps on this bike but hasn't really ridden it to its limits to understand just how far out the limits really are. Ride on!
Hi Matt, I am a 74 year old street rider that hardly ever rode dirt. So many comment the 390 Adventure is a good beginner ADV/street bike which is why I am considering getting one. I suppose my concern is as a beginner will it be easy to ride in the higher RPM as I learn? I have a 2007 Honda VFR so I can kind of relate, it is not happy below 3,000 rpm and much more responsive and fun above 4,000. Thanks for the video!
You will be fine. Its not hard to ride this bike in the higher RPM ranges. When riding slow, keep the bike in a lower gear than you really want to, to keep the RPMs up. This bike is easy to ride. You have riding experience. You will like this bike.
@@advmatt thanks for the info!
Hi there,im thinking to get this for tarmac touring.
With a passenger,boxes weighing somewhere 200kg.
Do you think on a longhighway,can i get an ideal rpm between the range you were saying in the video?
Thanks
💯 agree :) It’s a race bike and I love mine. Added the Coober ECU and KN filter and the race is on.. It’s so much fun to ride this bike!
standard exhaust?
So just purchased one. What is best for this bike for engine break in?
First 600 miles keep the RPMs limited to 6500, but vary the RPMs for the break in. After that start taking the RPMs higher each ride and keep varying them, meaning don't stay at the same RPM for hours until after a 1000 or so miles. By 1000 miles I getting mine up to 8500rpms regularly. Not sitting at high revs but taking the bike there regularly. I keep the bike over 5k rpms nearly all the time.
Exactly, well said!
I own a KTM 500 EXC-F, Husqvarna Nuda 900R & the 2023 KTM 390 Adventure & let me tell you, the 390 is absolutely brilliant & more than capable. The 390 has more than enough power for adventure riding, just wring its neck & ride it hard, it begs to be ridden hard!
That is the beauty of the 390, you can ride it hard all day long. Try doing that on the 500 EXC-F or Husqvarna Nuda 900R, they are just too fast when you're flat out (all day long).
Just my humble opinion, of course.
Completely agree. The 390 rewards you for riding it hard!
Love your honesty in the beginning D*ck! 😂😂 I thrash this bike everyday to work and back. Some bolts on the bash plate vibrated off recently. Partially from my not checking and partially from wringing out those RPMs. This isn't a 30k Gucci bike. Beat it up and have some SPMs, smiles-per-mile! 🤙
Right on!
Yeeeeah … it’s a KTM so you can’t rev it or it will break …again
You know it!
I have ktm adv390 outstanding bike
Hi sir I'm from India really liked the way u explain
I bought ktm 390 adv sw I'm feeling that engine is so vibey at 6000rpm
Run it up a bit higher, it will smooth out. Single cylinders vibrate, that's what they do. Cheers and thanks for watching.
@@advmatt got it Thank u sir 😊
Hey matt! Thanks for the video, I am looking to get the 390 as my first bike.
This feels very exciting to watch, but I have one question.
I am 1.90cm tall, do you think this bike will be the right size for me?
Is the seat adjustable?
I have seen many videos but it seems like there are many opinions on this, thank you!!
I think in the stock form the bike will feel a little cramped. Get the bench seat to add some leg room, some new lower pegs and some 20mm bar risers and you should be set.
@@advmatt thank you! I just purchased the bike and I have found some 25mm bar raisers.
Do you reckon you have to change the clutch cable aswell with 25mm?
@@rbheedu I was able to keep the stock clutch cable. You might have to slide the clutch lever in toward the center of the bars 1/2 an inch to ensure you have enough slack.
are you running seal savers ?? i am as well , blown fork seals seemed constant but havent had one since i put em on , im rolling a 901 now but the 390 is probably my next step down in size/weight.... i am hoping i have several years ahead i can still manage the 901 as ive invested in Tractive suspension for it which i thought you had for your 390 as well didnt you ?? at times i do wish id have gone from the 1090r all the way to either a 390 instead
Yep, running seal savers, so far the seals are holding up. I installed the Hyperpro suspension. Well worth the money. Suspensions make such a huge difference. Sounds like you a sweet 901. Ride as long as you can. Maybe by the time you are ready for a 390 the Adventure R will be available.
@@advmatt with any luck , thanks for the response , id have gone with Hyperpro again like i did to respring my 1090r but at that time there was nothing available for the std 901 , my choices were Tractive or WP-Pro for double the cost , i am very happy with the result , Tractive Extreme @ both ends , but it was quite the investment
I think it starts getting good at 4500 rpm. At 6k things start getting fun.
Agree!
Absolutely agree, I've changed to a 14t front sprocket and makes it a lot nicer at lower speeds and still plenty good on motorways where I live. 100km/h at 6000rpm. Puts it at the sweet spot for instant overtaking power
Hi your videos helped with the decision to get a 390.I got a 2022 last fall. I like it but it stalls at low rpm even if your moving like 4mph it will still stall. the things only got 162 miles on it. Any tips on keeping that from happening.
Use your clutch. 4mph is pretty slow for this bike. Keep the revs up and slip the clutch a little and it won't stall. Slipping the clutch with the revs around 4k is fine.
Leaned out mixture from factory to meet emission standards is your culprit here + these need to be ridden like old 2-strokes i.e. keeping those revs up!
Best thing I did to my D390 was fit a fuel-injection optimizer (Powertronic FuelX Lite Autotune), no more lean hot running & stalling out.
Agree 100%! These comments more than likely come from people riding big displacement torquey motors like a GS. This is the opposite. I daily ride an S1000XR which has 4x the power and I'm still impressed how much this little bike rips. It feels more like 55hp orso! I rarely have it below 5.5-6k rpm.
Cool good info DRZ it is
This is my next bike !
Bingo! Fuel X fuel controller, 14 tooth front sprocket, resonator delete, get 93 octane if you can and keep the rpm’s between 5k and 9k and have fun. Loaded down with all the camping gear runs 75 on the interstate, and has power left for hills and passing and gets 70mpg!
Getting all the good stuff out of this bike.
I've been dying to get through the 600 mile break-in period so I can explore that 6500+ rpm country! I have to admit, I did accidentally go there briefly without thinking a couple times and had the same epiphany - thats where she wants to live! She goes to the shop tomorrow, can't wait to get her back and start flogging her properly!😅
Your bike will thank you!
I too am surprised at the negative comments from those who have "tried one out and shake and rattle ". You are right on with what you said Mat. In fact it's the very same engine, same tune as the 390 duke and anyone who has raced one will tell you you have to keep it on the boil to let it perform. I try to keep up tp my son on his 890 on the trails and you just naturally get it up in the revs and keep it there. I too have a few miles (kms) on mine - a little over 27000km and just love letting it scream, puts a smile on my face. I have a helper setup - after market muffler end cap with my own design insert, FuelX Pro larger rear sprocket , etc. Ya wring it and you will love it as Mat does.
Right on! Let it scream and it will perform.
Thanks Matt for the tips! The last couple of days I've been riding my bike one gear higher (i.e keeping rpm's minimum around 5k) and man, what a difference! It almost feels as if I'm riding a different bike. It has totally come alive. Wow. Now have to re-learn to ride it this way.
P.S installed fork extenders and they work absolutely fine. No problem with the fork legs being tapered whatsoever. You can tighten both screws just fine.
Glad this helped you reveal what your bike has to offer. I agree with you on the fork extenders. I need to do a review on them. Cheers.
Recently purchased a 690 Enduro. I believe your comments apply to that bike too. It does take some adjustment and time to get it sorted out.
But once you learn to ride it, it comes alive!
Well said mate! I find that my engine lugs below 4K revs, which says everything to me about how it wants to be ridden. Also agree that complaining about vibrations on a motorcycle makes about as much sense as complaining that one gets wet when it rains...
I love that analogy. Spot on!
good points
This is the most fun bike I have ever owned. You have to Rev it!
Great believer in learning to ride dirt first, hones bike and riding skills, which can be transferred to road.
I've a D390 and agree re getting those revs up!
I agree, dirt skills translate way better to road than road to dirt. I have seen a lot of road riders freak out on dirt and get unnerved when the tires slide around, like we expect them to.
Hi Matt I agree with you, lot of people don’t know how to ride this bike 👍🏼. I used to ride 2015 Duke 390, compared to Duke riding Adventure 390 is like a piece of cake 🍰.
You're forgetting how this rev range also helps in engine braking. It gives you so much more confidence.
For sure, great point!
When I first got this bike when I revved a little high I was like “ohhh I better shift” then quickly realized the bike loved the high rev range. My only problem is when I’m first gear if I rev high and shift to second it seems to clunk in gear, so I tend to shift at mid range into second but everything after that I shift high and it loves it. Great video!!
Yeah, the bike rips through first gear pretty quickly. So that first shift comes fast.
This was some advice I really needed! I test-rode this bike in residential lanes at 15-20 kmph speeds for less than 2kms and still bought it because I wanted to try the adventure segment. Rode 100s of kms of highway at the end of each ride thinking to myself, it wasn't much fun was it!? I've gotten used to chugging on REs in low RPMs, this is my first KTM, looking forward to rip through and have some fun on my next ride after watching your video! :) Thanks much!
It should really change how the bike feels for you. Cheers.
I agree with the sentiment. I own a CSC RX4 with the 450cc single engine. I have put 26,000 miles on my bike and it has taken me many places. People need to realize they are not riding a HD that you Lug the engine in Low RPM. Well put explanation.
Thanks. You are killing it on the CSC!
I put a 48 tooth sprocket on the rear and ride it just like you said. It’s blast!! 😊
Almost didnt but mine because of people saying that. And im glad i took my chance i ride the hell out of this bike and love the way it goes
coming from a crf250l, where all the power is up high, this thing is a joy!
ok so it likes to rev!! but what if most of what i will be doing with this bike (inspite of what i really wanna do, which is touring to the beautiful mountains in my country) is probably just commuting everyday to and from work, and if you know anything about the roads and traffic in Indian cities, its not something that you can always be looking to rev your bike in the midst of.. .. yes i bet its gonna be amazing when i'm touring with it... but for mostly city stuff? with bad roads and heavy traffic most of the time.. do you think it makes sense to buy this bike? idk how it is around the world or wheerever else they sell the 390 and under capacity bikes ..but KTM riders have a bad rep in my country for riding like squids do on the city roads. Are they really just riding the way it needs to be ridden? what speeds do you think this bike would do if ridden on those high revs in each gear (lets say 3-5)? Thank you
I think this bike is worth buying no matter what type of riding you do, to include heavy traffic. At really slow speeds keep the bike in a lower gear to keep the RPMs above 4k. It is not revving it out but it is keeping the engine in a more responsive position. I ride mine in stop and go traffic in Washington DC, I know it is nothing like the traffic you face, but this bike works really well. It is nimble and easy to move around in traffic, but not like a hoonigan. The only gear that will allow you to run at 3k rpms is first. Use a gear lower than you really want to and the bike will do everything you ask of it. Cheers.
I agree, the bike runs great about 5K RPM
Ready to race? Too funny!
You mean it's not......?
Old guy…65 YO. 2 hip replacements, 1 knee replacement, shoulder screws, broke leg and skull.
50+ year rider. Had KTM 990, Africa Twin, and many dual sports. I plan to come down to the 400 class and this is clearly the gold standard. I’ll have to add some suspension work, bar riser, skid plate and better tires, but still a good bike. And I’ll still keep my heavy cruiser!
With some modifications to fit you and your riding style, this bike will perform for you!
So ride it like a 690. Got it.
YES!
I'm an off-road racer/rider and this is great advice. Since I'm more single track I actually dropped a tooth on the countershaft of my 890 and it's a wild child on single track. Imagine you could do the same on the 390. You will sacrifice some top end though. I just snagged a 24 390, pick it up tomorrow so should be interesting.
I do a lot of long distance travel on this bike so I haven't wanted to drop a tooth. It could use it for really technical riding but with full luggage it works well for forest roads. Dropping a tooth on the 890 sounds like it becomes a crazy machine.
😂 truth hurts . 💯 Agree with you
Just came across your channel doing some research for a new bike. I have owned several street bikes in the past but it’s been awhile. This will be my 1st bike in 15 years. I’m going through all the Enduro and ADV options for the last 5 months and just don’t know what to get. Would you recommend this bike for someone completely new to an ADV bike who’s looking to do light off roading dirt/gravel roads?
I’m 6’2” around 215 lbs right now and I have a neuro muscular issue so I need something very light and somewhat comfortable. I have see your videos where you mentioned having a higher seat and flatter lowered pegs which o would add
For comfort. I would say the majority of my riding would be on back country roads between 40 and 55mph for pavement. Im in the WV panhandle area where traffic isn’t to bad and some of the state parks offer gravel and dirt fire roads.
Thanks in advance.
I do recommend this bike for the type of riding you want to do. I also recommend the ergonomic upgrades like the footpegs, bar risers and possibly the big bar upgrade. I rode all over the area you will be riding and this bike was a blast. It's great on road but can also crush forest roads. The added power over other small ADV bikes makes this bike stand above. I am biased though. There are a lot of happy 390 ADV riders out there.
I can agree with you . The problem for guys like me who have always ridden big bike with lots of low end torque. I know what you are saying I just not comfortable with running it those RPMs. So maybe I’m just a bigger bike guy.
I was the same way, but quickly learned this bike responds better at higher RPMs. I had to change how I ride, on this bike.
im same as you, I ride mine hard. that's the way it was designed. and tolerances are so good now a days im not worried
Makes complete sense. However, this begs the question, how to do a proper run-in of a new engine? When I bought it, I kinda chose the soft run-in pattern (mostly sticking to
The first 1k km it's important to let all the parts of the engine wear into each other so I think a hard break in when the engine is new could cause some damage. After that initial break in period the engine should be varied through the entire rpm range, especially the higher rpms. Then let her rip.
I hear you. I see a lot of videos where people have single cylinder engines, DR, DRZ, Honda, Yamaha, and they are lugging it uphill/road/trails all the time! And then they get in a little trouble, go even slower, and crash! I haven't ridden dirt in a long time. But when I was a teenager I had a Kawasaki 175 Enduro Dual Sport in Washington state and rode it year round and through everything. We had an abandoned Associate Sand and Gravel company nearby that also provided a lot of great territory/challenges. They had blocked off the entrances with bulldozers but that didn't stop motorcycles.
To me, many of these people just actually don't know how to ride and then they crash and get injured and are even slower and more cautious.
In all my time riding with plenty of falls, I never got injured luckily. Missing corners by going too fast in slippery conditions for example. Those maple leaves covering the road can be slick!
Oh, and there was little in the way of protective gear then. Around 1972.
Some the worst crashes I have had were at slow speed too. Both on motorcycles and mountain bikes. Slow can be worse, go figure. Cheers.
Very helpful and useful information. Thanks for sharing 🤙
Ride it like it’s a 2 stroke!
YES!
I had a 2005 Ninja 250 back in college, '09-10 so a long time ago. If I get back into motorcycles, I think this could be the one. My old 250 was good training for it since it was very rev-happy with a 14k redline.
Nice. This bike will feel like a huge step up from your Ninja. It's a lot of fun.
I have this bike, 2023 390 Adventure SW. Impossible to ride below 4k rpms, but the problem above 6k it vibrates so much that I have a feeling the bike is gonna fall apart.
It won't fall apart. Keep riding it in the higher RPM range. The bike comes alive there. It's a single cylinder, they vibrate. This bike for single cylinder is actually quite smooth. The BMW G310GS, that vibrates.
i just got back from a 1100 mile trip on my adv 390, i love pulling hills in 5th gear just plenty of power over 6k rpm. plus i had 4 bags on the bike and it gave zero concern lol. 5th gear is my best mileage gear, between 6k-7.25k rmp ill get 60-65mpg with bags. Great bike, i dont have your miles but ill get there!
I spend most of my time in 5th when on the road. It has the most range. I have reached 70mpg at around 55mph on some touring I did. Glad to see you are out touring on this bike, its a lot of fun.
Hi Matt, I don't care about mpg numbers, so I keep 6000 rpm under my wrist to have a quick response when I need it. The only case when I use lower rpm is 2nd gear on slippery surfaces where I don't need the engine to have much torque with TC off.
It's a capable little all arounder, I use it primarily as a city bike or a tool for one-day journeys with rekluse auto clutch installed from the very start.
Compared to cars it's a BMW x3 among bikes for me.
I'm okay to stick with it for a long time and own something wild as a second bike at the same time
Perfect setup, 390 primary bike and then something else that's 'wild'.
I own several bikes and I like the 390 ADV. The engine makes very linear power. It has enough to get you where you need to go, but unlike some other bikes, the power isn't too much for technical off road riding. The lower seat height compared to many off road bikes makes the 390 ADV feel more planted and stable in difficult terrain. All motorcycles are a compromise. There is no one bike that does everything great.
All great points. This bike also carries its weight lower than many others also making it easier to ride. I love this bike.
Not a bike for beginners, newbies and Himalayan riders dnt like it. Love this bike and always rip it out hard💪🏼
New riders don't understand how to ride bikes like this. Very under valued bike.
Great video. I wish I had gotten a 390, but I couldn't find one around here in 2022, so I settled for a 890 that showed up at my local dealer. Funny, this year the local dealer has all kinds of models. I think in 2022 we were just coming out of the pandemic which hindered manufacturing of bikes. There was little to no inventory of any brand around where I live.
Inventory seems to still be a problem. The 890 is a great bike too, just much heavier. You can always switch to a 390 down the road. Cheers.