I just came back from a 2400 km trip to Pangi, Zanskar, and Ladakh on my 390 ADV-X. I did the same route (minus Pangi) last year on my BS4 Himalayan. So I thought I would highlight how the 390 ADV compares to the Himalayan on-road and off-road.<\/p>\n
Engine<\/h2>\n\n- Super tractable and a mile muncher<\/li>\n
- No low-end\/stalling issue<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
No doubt the 390s engine is far superior to the Himalayan. I was apprehensive about the low-end torque. Unlike the 390, the Himalayan has loads of low-end torque and can get you out of every situation. But I think KTM has changed something in the 2023 models. The infamous no low-end\/stalling is nowhere to be found. I could manage to get myself out of every tricky situation. No stalling, nothing. It just needs to be revved slightly. I easily managed to get my 390 ADV-X out of deep sand, mud, water crossings, steep inclines etc.<\/p>\n
Suspension & Handling<\/h2>\n\n- Great handling on smooth roads<\/li>\n
- Not-so-great handling off-road<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Himalayan truly shines when the road disappears. The suspension and that 21″ front tyre is a game changer for offroad conditions. That thing just glides over whatever is thrown at it. But my 390 ADV-X was never too far behind the two Himalayans that were in our group. Granted that those two Himalayan boys were expert offroad riders, but I could keep up with them.<\/p>\n
My only complaint is that any obstruction like a rock\/boulder would completely ruin my intended line. I had to course-correct a lot. While the Himalayan would just glide over, the 390 ADV was a piece of work. In fact, the first water crossing I hit while descending Sach Pass, my 390 ADV-X fell over because it just wouldn’t glide over the boulders. Perhaps it was because I was crossing this stretch the same way I would on my Himalayan. I didn’t face any trouble after this, probably because I understood the 390 ADV’s behaviour.<\/p>\n
Comfort<\/h2>\n\n- Better seat than the Himalayan<\/li>\n
- Wider handlebar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
I am 6 feet tall and the Himalayan always felt a little cramped. I was never comfortable on it. The 390 ADV felt super comfortable in comparison. The firm seat and the wide handlebar help ride all day without any discomfort. I managed to complete Hanle-Manali (470 kms) in 12 hours without any discomfort. In fact, saddling was also better on the 390 ADV.<\/p>\n
Fuel Consumption<\/h2>\n
No doubt the 390s engine is far superior to the Himalayan. I was apprehensive about the low-end torque. Unlike the 390, the Himalayan has loads of low-end torque and can get you out of every situation. But I think KTM has changed something in the 2023 models. The infamous no low-end\/stalling is nowhere to be found. I could manage to get myself out of every tricky situation. No stalling, nothing. It just needs to be revved slightly. I easily managed to get my 390 ADV-X out of deep sand, mud, water crossings, steep inclines etc.<\/p>\n
Suspension & Handling<\/h2>\n\n- Great handling on smooth roads<\/li>\n
- Not-so-great handling off-road<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The Himalayan truly shines when the road disappears. The suspension and that 21″ front tyre is a game changer for offroad conditions. That thing just glides over whatever is thrown at it. But my 390 ADV-X was never too far behind the two Himalayans that were in our group. Granted that those two Himalayan boys were expert offroad riders, but I could keep up with them.<\/p>\n
My only complaint is that any obstruction like a rock\/boulder would completely ruin my intended line. I had to course-correct a lot. While the Himalayan would just glide over, the 390 ADV was a piece of work. In fact, the first water crossing I hit while descending Sach Pass, my 390 ADV-X fell over because it just wouldn’t glide over the boulders. Perhaps it was because I was crossing this stretch the same way I would on my Himalayan. I didn’t face any trouble after this, probably because I understood the 390 ADV’s behaviour.<\/p>\n
Comfort<\/h2>\n\n- Better seat than the Himalayan<\/li>\n
- Wider handlebar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
I am 6 feet tall and the Himalayan always felt a little cramped. I was never comfortable on it. The 390 ADV felt super comfortable in comparison. The firm seat and the wide handlebar help ride all day without any discomfort. I managed to complete Hanle-Manali (470 kms) in 12 hours without any discomfort. In fact, saddling was also better on the 390 ADV.<\/p>\n
Fuel Consumption<\/h2>\n
The Himalayan truly shines when the road disappears. The suspension and that 21″ front tyre is a game changer for offroad conditions. That thing just glides over whatever is thrown at it. But my 390 ADV-X was never too far behind the two Himalayans that were in our group. Granted that those two Himalayan boys were expert offroad riders, but I could keep up with them.<\/p>\n
My only complaint is that any obstruction like a rock\/boulder would completely ruin my intended line. I had to course-correct a lot. While the Himalayan would just glide over, the 390 ADV was a piece of work. In fact, the first water crossing I hit while descending Sach Pass, my 390 ADV-X fell over because it just wouldn’t glide over the boulders. Perhaps it was because I was crossing this stretch the same way I would on my Himalayan. I didn’t face any trouble after this, probably because I understood the 390 ADV’s behaviour.<\/p>\n
Comfort<\/h2>\n\n- Better seat than the Himalayan<\/li>\n
- Wider handlebar<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
I am 6 feet tall and the Himalayan always felt a little cramped. I was never comfortable on it. The 390 ADV felt super comfortable in comparison. The firm seat and the wide handlebar help ride all day without any discomfort. I managed to complete Hanle-Manali (470 kms) in 12 hours without any discomfort. In fact, saddling was also better on the 390 ADV.<\/p>\n
Fuel Consumption<\/h2>\n
I am 6 feet tall and the Himalayan always felt a little cramped. I was never comfortable on it. The 390 ADV felt super comfortable in comparison. The firm seat and the wide handlebar help ride all day without any discomfort. I managed to complete Hanle-Manali (470 kms) in 12 hours without any discomfort. In fact, saddling was also better on the 390 ADV.<\/p>\n
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