KTM 390 Adventure R | My Verdict, 5 Months Later (EP.4)

Comments · 420

• BI

  @BigRockMoto · 11 months ago (edited) · pinned

  This bike is already sold (congrats Jim), but don&apos;t worry, there is a little more content still coming with the 390R. What bikes do you want to see next?<br><br>🏍 390R Bike Build Google Sheet: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/y3bytzvz">https://tinyurl.com/y3bytzvz </a><br>🏍 390R Bike Build PDF: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/4bpknep4">https://tinyurl.com/4bpknep4</a><br>⭐Use this code for 10% off at Motion Factory Racing: IANSCHOENLEBER <br> <br>➕SUPPORT➕ (affiliate links) <br>⚡ BOOKMARK My Link Tree (all links/one place): <a href="https://linktr.ee/bigrockmoto">https://linktr.ee/bigrockmoto </a><br>⚡ Rocky Mountain ATV/MC: <a href="https://bit.ly/33kgRIz">https://bit.ly/33kgRIz </a><br>⚡ Revzilla: <a href="https://imp.i104546.net/6bxxXN">https://imp.i104546.net/6bxxXN </a><br>⚡ Lone Rider: <a href="https://bit.ly/4erYJeC">https://bit.ly/4erYJeC </a><br>⚡ Mosko Moto: <a href="https://moskomoto.com/bigrockmoto">https://moskomoto.com/bigrockmoto </a><br>⚡ GiantLoop : <a href="https://tinyurl.com/mpv7uhkm">https://tinyurl.com/mpv7uhkm</a> (use code BIGROCKMOTO for 15% off) <br>⚡ Carpuride: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/bdmjxacc">https://tinyurl.com/bdmjxacc</a> (use code BIGROCKMOTO for 30% off) <br>⚡ MotoCampNerd: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/5b8erwrw">https://tinyurl.com/5b8erwrw </a><br>⚡ Veridian Cruise: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/mr4yrhjj">https://tinyurl.com/mr4yrhjj </a><br>⚡ Insta360: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/whtd6ubt">https://tinyurl.com/whtd6ubt </a><br>⚡ Taco Moto : <a href="https://tacomoto.co/?ref=fi6gv640">https://tacomoto.co/?ref=fi6gv640 </a><br>⚡ Chigee: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/486mm38k">https://tinyurl.com/486mm38k </a><br>⚡ AOOCCI: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/3sucvr9h">https://tinyurl.com/3sucvr9h</a> (use code BRM22 for 22% off) <br>⚡ Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/3viGZ0A">https://amzn.to/3viGZ0A </a><br>⚡ Merchandise: <a href="https://big-rock-moto.myspreadshop.com/">https://big-rock-moto.myspreadshop.com/ </a><br>⚡ Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/bigrockmedia">https://www.patreon.com/bigrockmedia</a>

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• JE

  @jerrysullivan9659 · 11 months ago (edited)

  78 years old, 50+ years on dirt bikes and the 390 R is my first stab at an Adventure bike. My last bike was a KTM 300XC. <br>1100 miles on my new 390 and it’s perfect for an old fart like me. Wasn’t happy about the $700 tariff. 😤 &nbsp;<br>No more single track but I’m enjoying the Idaho back country where I’ve lived for 30 years. &nbsp;I highly recommend.

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• JE

  @jerrysullivan9659 · 8 months ago

  My KTM dealer just updated the mapping (on a factory recall) and it fixed the low end issues.

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• CR

  @CrankyCarmine · 11 months ago

  Thank you for these videos. You&apos;re probably the most important motorcycle channel on YouTube that I&apos;m aware of. Honest reviews, OTD prices, testing popular aftermarket parts. Your channel brings so much value to the motorcycle community. Thank you for what you do!<br> &nbsp; &nbsp;Your videos have made me realize I can live with the small short comings and quality issues of the 390 AR. Just pulled the trigger and going to pick mine up this Saturday!<br> &nbsp; &nbsp;For anyone curious I&apos;m in North Carolina and I paid $8,800 OTD.

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• RO

  @rolandwheeler4842 · 11 months ago

  There are a lot of good channels on YouTube that do an OK job of evaluating bikes, but most are &quot;first ride&quot; or &quot;initial impressions&quot; content. Your evaluations are NEXT LEVEL. To go out and buy a bike to do a long-term evaluation, and often, a comparison on, is crazy in my book. We know you are losing money when you sell that bike, especially with the upgrades you put on them. When I think about a next bike I always check to see if Big Rock Moto has done an evaluation first before checking elsewhere. Keep up the great work!

  34

• OF

  @offpisteaus · 3 months ago (edited)

  These reviews are the most comprehensive I’ve found. I really like your comparison discussions because that’s exactly what I’m weighing up and it’s not easy to make some of these calls.

  2

• BI

  @billclawson1729 · 11 months ago

  Is it my imagination or do you have numerous issues to overcome with ever KTM you buy. &nbsp; Much more than other bikes. &nbsp;And thanks again for another great review!

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• 2-

  @2-Wheel-Explorer · 11 months ago

  Glad you did the handlebar vibration test. thanks I almost wasted 400 on it

  10

• JO

  @jorgemartinez-sv5oj · 5 months ago

  I’m looking for my first adventure motorcycle and I’d really appreciate honest opinions, even if they contradict each other. I’m 1.85 m, weigh 90 kg, and I’m in good physical shape, but this would be my very first bike.<br><br>It would be my only motorcycle, so I need something very versatile: capable of real off-road riding (trails, forest tracks, and adventure routes), but also able to handle road sections between areas without struggling too much. I’m not interested in speed or sporty riding on tarmac.<br><br>I’d also use it with light luggage and occasionally carry a passenger on the road, although that’s not a key requirement.<br><br>My absolute priority is reliability. I’d rather have a simple, robust bike that lasts and gives no trouble, even if it has less power or fewer modern features, than something more advanced but potentially problematic long-term.<br><br>The bikes I’m considering in Spain are: Suzuki DR-Z4S (the one that fits my idea best on paper), KTM 390 Adventure R (but I’m concerned about reliability), Honda CRF300 Rally (feels a bit underpowered for road use), CFMoto 450MT (I’m unsure about its off-road capability), and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (I’m a bit concerned about the weight).<br><br>I’m not considering options like the KLR650 or KX300 since they aren’t available here.<br><br>Honestly, which one would you choose and why? And more importantly, which one would you avoid even if it’s popular?

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• BO

  @boblynch7535 · 11 months ago

  Still waiting for Aprilia”s 457 Toureg. Looking forward to ECMA

  10

• SH

  @shonkytonky · 9 months ago

  The software update has fixed the stalling issues and we get a different sidestand in Aus that works great. Also vibration improving over time.

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• HA

  @HandyTot · 9 months ago

  as of 12/3/2025 the updated ECU seems to have no issues with flameouts or cutting, pulls well from 3k rpm

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