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Am taking a demo on the new KTM 390 in September, really keen to see what it is like as think it’d make a great Motogymkhana bike, and possibly have enough in it to do the odd trackday at Brands Hatch Indy circuit too.
Am not necessarily in the market for one just yet, but handily enough the demo is from the same shop I purchased Lord Vader and Kevin from so they could offer me a good deal on part exchanging Kevin for one.
The bike’s spec:
ENGINE
Design 1-cylinder 4-stroke engine, water-cooled
Displacement 373.2 cm³
Bore 89 mm
Stroke 60 mm
Performance 32 kW (43 hp)
Starting aid Electric starter
Transmission 6 speed, claw shifted
Engine lubrication Forced oil lubrication with 2 Eaton pumps
Primary gear ratio 30:80
Secondary gear ratio 14:45
Cooling system Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump
Clutch Wet multi-disc clutch / mechanically operated
Ignition system Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustmentCHASSIS
Frame Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated
Fork WP Suspension Up Side Down
Shock absorber WP Monoshock
Suspension travel Front 150 mm
Suspension travel Rear 150 mm
Brake system Front Disc brake with four-pot brake caliper
Brake system Rear Disc brake with one-pot brake caliper, floating brake discs
Brake discs – diameter Front 300 mm
Brake discs – diameter Rear 230 mm
Chain 5/8 x 1/4” (520) X‑Ring
Steering head angle 65°
Wheel base 1,367±15 mm
Ground clearance (unloaded) 170 mm
Seat height (unloaded) 800 mm
Total fuel tank capacity approx. 11 l
Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON)
Weight without fuel approx. 139 kg
Here are some snippets of my first impressions of the 390:
“The 390 does wheelies, stoppies and jumps. It can also do GP8s. Oh if anyone gets one I’d like to suggest not doing over 100mph on it when it only has 1 mile on the clock…. runny green snot escapes the radiator a lot!”
“grab a demo, it is fantastic!”
Being used to sports and superspotsbikes it could do with some performance tweeks and for Motogymkhana being down geared a little, possibly -1 tooth on the front or +3 on the rear sprocket
I couldn’t believe how intuitive and nimble it is…. I think the only handling bit the is worth spending money on is the brakes and suspension…. brakes could do with fully floating discs and sintered pads, susis could poss do with stiffening a bit.
The power delivery is very linear so for my preference could do with having a powerband tuned in to give it more of a top end kick.The 390 was awesome, be perfect town hooligan tool, does over 100mph too, but think if you were planning on a high mileage commute it might feel a little under powered (this may be because I’m used to 100 bhp more on the 636 tho. The finish looks durable on the painted areas but it also has some metal parts exposed without paint… Regular ACF50 aplication would look after it, but could go fuzzy on the coast if you didn’t stay on top of it. (I want one)
only other option for me would be a heavily modified 2T enduro bike…. with R6 front suspension and re-valved/lower rear suspension, supermoto wheels and brakes. Trouble is that would cost maybe double the £4500 the 390 costs.
Interesting review, certainly seems that you enjoyed yourself. 100bhp is a big difference to your 636 as you say. My Ducati is 50 bhp down on the FZ1 that I traded for it, but still goes well enough to put a smile on my face!
I have loss track of exactly how many KTMs you have owned…is it 4?
yup 4 so far, in order of buying them:
250 EXC f
640 SM-R
200 EXC
300 EXC (sm)The 390 is lots of fun in a dinky package, def needs some more noise coming from it tho!
yup 4 so far, in order of buying them:
250 EXC f
640 SM-R
200 EXC
300 EXC (sm)The 390 is lots of fun in a dinky package, def needs some more noise coming from it tho!
It was four then.
Currently I am on my 11th Yamaha
1. RD250LC
2. RD350LC YPVS
3. RD250E
4. RD350F2 YPVS
5. FZ750
6. YZF600R
7. RD350LC YPVS
8. XJR1300SP
9. FZ600
10. FZ1S
11. RD350F1 YPVS
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