2026 KTM 390 Adventure R vs Its Brothers and Rivals

KTM has launched the international spec of its popular off-roader, the Adventure R in India at Rs 3.77 Lakh (ex-showroom), making it the third iteration of the Adventure brand, after X and the standard trim. How different it is from its siblings and with its main rival - Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. Let's find out, and in the meantime, do join our 91Wheels Whatsapp Channel to never miss out on the latest automtotive updates.

Also Read: KTM 390 Adventure R Launched In India At Rs 3.78 Lakh

KTM 390 Adventure R

This is the international-spec version, and it offers significantly more suspension travel than both the standard and the X variants. To be precise, both the front and rear suspension provide 230 mm of travel, whereas the other two variants offer 200 mm and 205 mm, respectively.

The most noticeable difference, however, is in ground clearance and seat height. The R variant boasts a massive 272 mm of ground clearance and an 880 mm seat height, which is considerably higher than the Indian-spec versions that come with 237 mm ground clearance and an 830 mm seat height. The X variant sits even lower.

In a nutshell, riders shorter than 6 feet 1 inch may want to think twice, as this motorcycle is exceptionally tall for average-height riders. That said, the engine specifications remain unchanged, delivering identical power and torque figures across all variants. Interestingly, despite the added hardware, this international-spec version is cheaper by Rs 18,829.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

Now, when pitched against its Indian rival - the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 - the R variant clearly holds the edge in terms of off-road hardware. It offers longer suspension travel at both ends (230 mm), compared to the Himalayan 450's 200 mm, and also boasts greater ground clearance at 272 mm, versus 230 mm on the RE. So, serious off-road enthusiasts will naturally gravitate towards the KTM, while the Himalayan 450 makes a strong case for itself with its more accessible pricing, starting at Rs 3.05 lakh (ex-showroom).

Features

On the technology front, the KTM 390 Adventure R comes loaded with segment-leading electronics designed to enhance both safety and rider control. It features a 5-inch full-colour TFT display with excellent visibility and customisable layouts, operated via a multi-functional handlebar switch, along with a USB Type-C charging port as standard.

Advanced rider aids include Cornering Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC), Cornering ABS, Offroad ABS, and a dedicated Offroad Ride Mode that allows controlled rear-wheel slip for loose terrain, while intelligently retaining rider settings even after engine shutdown. Additionally, KTMconnect smartphone connectivity enables call management, music control, and optional turn-by-turn navigation directly on the TFT screen, ensuring the rider stays informed, connected, and in control across all riding conditions.

The only difference is that the Adventure R and the Standard variants come with spoke wheels, while the X variant is equipped with alloy wheels.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 offers a simpler feature set with LED lighting, a 4-inch TFT display with navigation, ride modes, assist and slipper clutch, switchable ABS, and a USB charging port. However, it misses out on advanced electronics like cornering ABS and traction control, where the KTM 390 Adventure R clearly takes the lead with a larger 5-inch TFT and more sophisticated rider aids.