ROAD NEWS
replacing the four piston variety to assist with heat dissipation and both models have cornering capable ABS that works in with the traction control . On the R , you can fully disengage the ABS for both wheels if required but the more road-focused X can only disengage the rear completely . A nice touch with customising the modes is the new models ’ ability to retain the selection , rather than defaulting back each time the ignition is turned off with the key . On the road or trail , the increased capacity , now kicked up to 399cc , sees a stronger power curve and in the case of the R , a new rain mode and the ability to turn off both TC and ABS should you require for ‘ technical riding scenarios ’. From the cockpit , the R gets the TFT screen and connectivity whereas the X gets a simpler dash that still has the luxury of being connected but , as with several of the differences , like suspension units , there will be a price difference between the two variants and that means the X , with lesser demands , does pick some components from a slightly lower shelf . All the nice real world touches like illuminated switchgear are there so it is just a matter of matching wish lists to models . We ’ re looking forward to seeing how the three new 390 models ( Adventure R , Adventure X and Enduro R ) are picked up in the NZ market against the current competition , where the 390s have previously been lacking . They should help invigorate the small-capacity adventure market for KTM .
KIWI RIDER 89