Journey bikes are a improbable strategy to begin your life on two wheels. They allow you to do a little bit little bit of the whole lot, from grime trails to race tracks, so you possibly can work out the place you need to go together with the remainder of your using profession. However ADVs are dweeby, and no new motorcyclist needs to appear to be some pocket-protector dork the primary time they roll up someplace on their shiny new bike. Enter the brand new hotness: The child rally bike.
For 2025, KTM’s 390 Journey splits its focus. On the one hand, there’s the 390 Journey X: Alloy wheels, 19 inches up entrance and 17 within the rear, and eight inches of suspension journey. It’ll get a brand new rider to Starbucks and again with no sweat. However, although, we now get the 390 Journey R: Spoked wheels, 21 inches up entrance and 18 in again, with 9 inches of journey on its compression and rebound-adjustable fork and rebound and preload-adjustable rear shock. That is the cool one.
The Journey R could share a body and plastics with the extra banal Journey X, however the two differ in stance sufficient that, even at a look, the R seems meaner. The R doesn’t actually have a decrease mudguard to guard its radiator — that is clearly a motorcycle that’s itching to go off highway always. You in all probability shouldn’t go hitting jumps in your first trip out as a newbie, however this KTM will probably do its finest to goad you into it.
Mechanically, each the 390 ADV X and R get some good upgrades over their predecessor. The 2 share a brand new trellis body and a newly stroked engine, bringing displacement from 373 to 398ccs. KTM claims a mere one-horsepower improve from the up to date engine, 44 horsepower to the previous bike’s 43, but it surely’s doable the brand new displacement added lower-end torque or simplified emissions compliance.
It’s robust to consider KTM proper now with out contemplating the corporate’s staggering monetary woes, that are a real concern for potential patrons. Future components availability isn’t essentially a assure. It’s additionally robust to take a look at the 390 Journey R’s $7,000 price ticket (earlier than $575 for freight and no matter your native vendor appears like charging for meeting) with out pondering of used costs for Yamaha’s Tenere 700 or Honda’s Transalp 750 — bikes with worse suspension however extra displacement and energy. Nonetheless, when you’re a newbie after Dakar fashion, the 390 Journey R appears to have it in droves.
