2025 KTM 390 Adventure R

[nhbubba]

Isnt' the kove 450 that high strung basically a real rally bike with blinkers? Everything I've read or heard says it is just too intense for everyday use.
There is also the CFMoto Ibex 450. Reads to be a lot more appealing. Although it also has a lot of electronics, which I'm soured on after owning the 890 ADV-R.

[MattR302]

I've been pricing my "dream" CRF builds.

The CRF300L (not even rally) is at $5,316.41 + bike (~$5749)
The CRF450RL is at $2,926.61 + bike (~$10699)

Both get upgraded tanks, seats and some basic protection. The 450RL gets a stator upgrade and ECU, but no other performance upgrades. The 300L gets an Ari Herring 301 big-bore kit, CBR cams, exhaust and a full suspension workup. Both get an Adventure Spec mini fairing setup with me dreaming of diy'ing a full rally stack "someday". I've been drawn to the 300L because it'd be a hell of a fun project to build, but repulsed because the realist in me knows I don't have that kind of personal time.

WTF am I thinking?!

Did you see this thread?
https://advrider.com/f/threads/honda...-bore.1770571/

[nhbubba]

Yes, I have participated in it. Same shitty screen name. I've also chatted with the OP there out of band. That kicked me off the idea of a cheap, abused DR/DRZ and got me hot for a Honda (again).

[ducatirdr]

I owned a CRF300L Rally for a few months and tossed a pipe and ECU flash plus a lower end KTECH rear shock and front spring/oil on it. I got a killer deal on the bike that only had 75 miles on it and paid $5200. I put about a grand into the bike and sold it 3 months later for $6000. The issue I had with it was the bike felt like a play bike. Handling even with the shock update told me how flexi everything else was on the bike. My 890 had a solid feel that made the CRF feel like it was made out mild steel. Not something to ride like they show on the KTM videos. Then my buddy had a minor tip over on his 300 rally. The shifter wouldn't budge after the tip over. (this wasn't a crash. It was a simple tip over) I guess its a know issue with the bike. The internal shift shaft is prone to bending if you hit it square on the end. No shifting until you split the cases and replace it. That was all I needed to hear. I sold it shortly after posing a question to a CRF300 group on FB if this was a known issue. Less than an hour later a ton of responses saying it happened to them.

This past year I was riding in Pachaug and came across a dude on a CRF300L. The handlebar was snapped off on the clutch side it snapped at the clamp.He was at the bottom of Mt Misery. A bit of a hike out from there. He had no idea what to do. He was running the stock handle bar which is cheap crap. Also the plastic Honda uses is brittle. Not the flexi bend and not crack stuff found on typical dirt machines. I know its a price point bike but we old Honda guys remember when Honda quality exceeded expectations while being a great price. It's not your grandpa's Honda any longer.

If you want a bike to ride hard off road be advised. It's more of a street biased dual sport. That said I regret selling the bike as I did get the opportunity to ride it again when I punched a hole in my 1300GS oil pan when the stock "Enduro Package Pro" skid plate easily bent pushing the plastic oil sensor in the bottom of the oil pan into the motor thus breaking it. A pool of oil at the next stop about 5 miles away. I then parked my GS and took my old CRF300L Rally from a friend as she hopped on the back of her BF's bike. I then realized how fun the bike was if you rode it as it was meant to be ridden. It made the ride out a lot more fun than my GS!

So the story of Goldilocks comes to mind. Too hard, too soft... Will the new KTM 390 ADV-R be just right? I will let you know when it comes in.

[nhbubba]

I've read several comments about the Thai built 300L not being in the same box as the Japanese built bikes. The shifter thing seems especially bad.

At the same time I am a bit sour on KTM after this 890 valve issue and was really interested in going to a Japanese make.

Do you have any idea of when you will have hands on the bike?

..now, to google "KTM dealers in Maine.."

[ducatirdr]

I got a call from Edlemanns that the first deposit on the KTM 390 Adventure R they got had turned down the option to get the bike. Turns out it was too tall for him. That gave me the opp to be the first purchaser of a KTM 390 Adventure R in the area. I told them I would be in the next day with the bank check.

First time seeing it ->



Result of first hard ride with it in the Berkshires. Yup I dropped in doing a spin turn or elephant turn when the rear was sliding the front washed out- >



A view of the trails during the wet weekend ->

https://youtube.com/shorts/nKr_fOFlf...sVb_iLw_4qdqXW


The bike is a winner. Some adjustment to the preload/rebound in the rear with clickers up front made the bike stay high in the stroke and take big hits. It's set up a bit harsh for small bumps but for a budget bike its really set up well for the USA audience.

[nhbubba]

Been following your reviews on ADV-rider and YT. Sounds like great stuff.

Chipper got me sold on the idea of taking a -X, swapping the wheels and suspension. Guessing my way through I wound up at ~$11k +/- taxes to build that out. That is with durable aftermarket wheels and tippy top shelf WP "PRO" suspension bits, should they be available (Chip says his contact says they will). That was under the assumption that the -R suspension would be meh at best, more likely crap. Reviews I'm seeing says its pretty damned good though. Probably good enough as is.

Exciting stuff. Sweet motorbike yah got there. I want one!