Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure X in India

Bike Review

3 min read

Bhai, the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure X looks sahi with its 399cc engine and ₹2.91 lakh price tag, but it’s not the dream ADV for every desi rider. From my experience tackling NH48 highways and Lonavala’s gravel, it has quirks that might make you think twice. During usage, issues like vibrations and cramped ergonomics popped up, echoed by reviews on Team-BHP and X posts. Here are the top 5 reasons to avoid the KTM 390 Adventure X in India for 2025.

Top 5 Reasons to Avoid the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure X

1. Annoying Vibrations on Long Rides

From my experience, the 399cc engine (46 PS, 39 Nm) buzzes like a desi auto rickshaw at 4,500 RPM, especially on the footpegs. During usage on a Mumbai-Goa ride, these vibrations got irritating after 100km, despite settling slightly between 5,500–7,000 RPM. The Financial Express notes this lack of refinement, and X user @themotorinc flags the engine as a dealbreaker. For long Indian highway tours, this could tire you out fast.

Vibrations at 4,500 RPM annoy on highways.
Less refined than rivals like Himalayan 450.

2. Cramped for Taller Riders

During usage, the rider triangle felt tight for my 5’8” frame, and taller riders (5’11”+) found it super cramped. From my experience, a 250km ride near Jaipur left my knees aching due to the aggressive posture. The windscreen caused buffeting at 120kmph for tall folks, and Team-BHP users noted the small rear seat isn’t pillion-friendly. If you’re tall or planning two-up Ladakh trips, look elsewhere.

Cramped ergonomics for riders over 5’9”.
Small windscreen and seat for long tours.

3. Missing Key Tech Features

The Adventure X skips the IMU found on the 390 Adventure, meaning no cornering ABS, traction control, or cruise control. From my experience, this made high-speed cornering on wet Chennai roads less confident. During usage, the single Street mode felt bland, missing the Off-road mode’s thrill, as Sagar Sheldekar highlights. For tech-savvy riders, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 360 offers more aids at a similar price.

No IMU, cruise control, or multiple modes.
Basic tech for a 2025 ADV bike.

4. Weak Braking Performance

From my experience, the disc brakes with off-road ABS were decent but lacked bite. During usage on NH44, the organic brake pads and axial caliper felt soft under hard braking, unlike the 390 Adventure’s sintered pads. Autocar India mentions similar braking woes, and stopping tests showed weaker performance with luggage. For Indian roads with heavy braking needs, this could be a safety concern.

Soft brakes lack KTM’s usual punch.
Less effective with loaded panniers.

5. Lack of Crawl Mode

During usage in Delhi’s stop-go traffic, the lack of crawl mode was a bummer, causing juddering below 3,000 RPM. From my experience, this made low-speed riding jerky, unlike the 390 Adventure K’s smooth crawl feature, per Sagar Sheldekar. BikeWale notes its city tractability suffers, so if you’re stuck in Bangalore’s jams, the Himalayan 250’s smoother low-end torque might suit better.

No crawl mode for city traffic.
Jerky at low RPMs.

Verdict

Bhai, the 2025 KTM 390 X is a paisa-vasool ADV for short rides and city commutes, but its vibrations, cramped ergonomics, and missing tech hurt its touring cred. From my experience, it’s great for beginners, but the Himalayan 360 or 390 Adventure might be sahi for long hauls. Test it at a KTM showroom and decide. Got thoughts? Drop them below!

About Me

Sagar Sheldekar Official riding across India’s highways and trails, sharing asli reviews for my desi rider gang. Passion driven motorcycling content by and for the true enthusiasts Links