Rented a KTM 390 Adventure X for a day. Came back appreciating my TVS Ronin more.
I've been having the itch to upgrade from my 2025 TVS Ronin after riding it for almost 30k kms to something more powerful and better for touring. The KTM 390 Adventure X was one of the bikes I was seriously considering, so instead of relying on reviews and specs, I decided to rent one for 24 hours.
I ended up riding around 140 km, and here's my experience comparing it with my Ronin.
Things I liked about the KTM:
- The ergonomics are genuinely great. I didn't feel any stress on my joints, and the tank gave me good thigh grip, which helped take the load off my shoulders.
- The top-end performance is a lot of fun. The bike really comes alive once you're past 80 kmph.
- The suspension felt similar to the Ronin at lower speeds, but the KTM was noticeably better at higher speeds.
- The headlight throw is excellent, and the electronics and overall premium feel are impressive.
- The touring seat had the right foam hardness for me, but I wish it were wider.
Things I didn't enjoy as much:
- The engine felt strained at low speeds, and the vibrations were very noticeable in traffic. After a while, they became annoying.
- Below around 5,000 rpm, the engine didn't feel particularly happy to me. Once past that, the power delivery became much more exciting.
- Surprisingly, I preferred the Ronin's clutch and brake lever feel, initial braking and throttle response.
- I didn't feel as comfortable manoeuvring through traffic and overtaking on the KTM as I do on my Ronin.
- The windscreen caused a lot of helmet buffeting and noise. Wind hit my forehead while the area below it stayed relatively sheltered, making it hot inside my helmet.
- The instrument console felt a little too low, so I had to look down to read it instead of glancing at it naturally.
Coming back to the Ronin was an eye-opener.
After riding the KTM, my Ronin felt tiny and compact. In city traffic, it felt almost EV-smooth in comparison. The low-end response is surprisingly good, the power delivery is linear, and I genuinely enjoy its exhaust note.
The KTM obviously has much more top-end performance, and I can see why people enjoy it. But for the way I ride every day, I found the Ronin's engine character and ease of riding more satisfying.
It probably helped that I'd recently changed the chain and spark plug on my Ronin, and it was feeling particularly smooth.
I'm now more grateful for my bike than I was before this rental. I still want to try the 349cc KTM Adventure and the Himalayan 450, but I'm in no hurry to upgrade anymore.
Just my personal experience after riding this particular bike for around 140 km. I could be wrong, and some of these things might simply be how the bike is, or maybe something was off with the rental bike itself. These are just my impressions, not a definitive review. Your experience might be different!
Has anyone else test-ridden a more powerful bike and ended up appreciating their current bike more afterwards?