2023 KTM 390 Adventure Gets Updates First Look

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For 2023, KTM gives its wee ADV machine new spoke wheels and fresh paint. Mechanically, it’s unchanged. (KTM Motorcycles/)

Big-bore, rally-ready ADVs may get all the headlines, but if the continuing popularity of the adventure bike segment has shown us anything over the last few years, it’s that smaller and lighter models have increasing appeal in the real world. KTM’s 390 Adventure regularly makes the short list of desirable small-bore models, and for 2023, this entry-level adventurer sees a series of minor updates to keep the momentum going.

Just how minor are those tweaks? Well, the engine, frame and suspension on the 2023 390 Adventure are unaltered, so we’re basically talking new spoke wheels and fresh black and orange paint and graphics — but given the already excellent foundation of the platform and the fact that it’s been regularly (if incrementally) updated since its 2020 debut, that’s not necessarily a huge letdown.

Related: The KTM 390 Adventure Updated for 2022

Officially, we’re looking at the KTM 390 Adventure SW, which gets a bump in price over last year’s model. (KTM/)

On KTM’s US website, the 2023 model is officially referred to as the 390 Adventure SW (for spoke wheel), so you might say it’s a prime example of the orange brand listening to customers who have long wondered when spokes would appear on the 390 to expand its off-road capability. To that end, the bike trades last year’s 10-spoke cast wheels for lighter spoked wheels (still 19 inches in front and a 17-inch rear) with black anodized aluminum rims to better negotiate unplanned meetings with gnarled roots and sneaky stones out on the trail. The wheels also change the bike’s look, but more importantly give the 390 a necessary edge for offroad work. (To learn more about wire-spoke-wheel advantages in this regard, click here.)

Wheel sizes are unchanged, but the new hoops feature black anodized aluminum rims and wire spokes. (KTM/)

Close behind on the bulleted list of highlights for the 2023 390 Adventure is what KTM calls a " fresh look,” inspired by the brand’s “vast Rally racing heritage.” In other words, it sees a new—admittedly sharp-looking—paint job contrasted with fresh graphics at various points on the bodywork. But other than those two items, the 2023 model carries on relatively unchanged, featuring the same 373cc single engine that’s found in the KTM 390 Duke, stuffed into a lightweight steel trellis frame and outfitted for trail duty via robust suspension components front and rear. Although Euro 5 regulations dictated the last set of revisions on the 390 Adventure (the bike now sports two catalytic converters), in 2022 the model also received updated electronic rider aids, which included new street and off-road traction control modes to join the standard ride by wire, cornering ABS, linked Offroad ABS (disengaged on the rear, reduced on the front) and a slipper clutch. Rider-aid settings and the rest of usual info is all viewed on a 5-inch color TFT display.

Suspension is still handled by WP, with the Apex rear shock offering 6.9 inches of travel as well rebound-damping adjustability. (KTM/)

The 390 Adventure’s trellis frame and subframe also return here, suspended by a WP Apex inverted fork and WP Apex shock out back, both adjustable (compression and rebound damping for the 43mm fork, which offers 6.7 inches of travel; spring preload and rebound for the 6.9 inch travel shock) with the exhaust system being optimized for prime centralization. Even on this compact adventure model, design cues continue to reference KTM’s rally exploits, with the angular, insectoid-like front end’s LED light remaining instantly recognizable.

The bike also still treads on Continental TK70 tires and the windshield remains height adjustable (with two settings). Brake spec is likewise unchanged, featuring Brembo’s India-made ByBre series with a 320mm disc and 4 piston caliper upfront and a 230mm rear disc to handle stopping duties. As before, the two-tier seat can be removed to access storage space underneath, and a quickshifter is optional; KTM has also added even more options to its PowerParts accessories line should your 390 need some extra farkling.

Small in displacement but not light on spec: Offroad Mode allows for some rear wheel slip (and also activates Offroad ABS). (KTM/)

For 2023, KTM has said the 390 Adventure will come in two options: the “spoke wheel” edition and the cast-wheel version (in black/orange or blue/orange color scheme) though it’s not clear whether the States and Canada will be getting both of those. For now, just the 2023 390 Adventure SW is listed on the US and Canadian websites. (For the record, it looks like the UK gets both the spoke and cast wheel versions, with the cast one being slightly cheaper.)

As you’d expect, the US model’s MSRP has increased a fair bit, and for 2023 lists at $7,399—as opposed to last year’s cast-wheel model which fetched $6,799. The KTM 390 Adventure SW is expected at dealerships in March of 2023.

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