KTM 390 Adventure in 2019
 

The 390 Adventure with a good suspension, 44PS, weight around 150kg and average fuel consumption around 4l/100km might be a good choice for light weight adventure riding and a do-it-all machine.


The question is: what about the long term reliability of this engine?



https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-ne...in-2019-408692

The KTM 690 is 139 kilos dry, so not impressed with the weight if it is dry weight then. The Honda CB500 lineup has a fuel consumption of 2,7 litres/100 kms fabric numbers though so 4 liters on this one doesnt exactly impress me...

But by all means, let it come as we need more alternatives in the small/medium sized advbike category.

But I do also want to know more about the long time reliability of this engine and bike....

Hopeful part of this Ktm/Bajaj motors partnership, it may bring a more affordable Ktm Adventure travel bike. (Bajaj Auto own at least 51% of KTM)

(KTM zealots aren't happy to acknowledge this fact ... but there it is)

The first India produced bikes from this partnership came 2 or 3 years ago with the very affordable 390RC sport bike, then the 390 Duke 2 years later.

They also released a 125cc for Asia market and a 200cc bike for Asia and export to EU. (I've never seen either of them in person)

In USA we get both 390RC sport bike and Duke 390. A lot of riders bought the RC and went road racing. The bike was good, fast, handles well ... but turned out ... not very reliable according to several owners who have posted their woes of multiple rebuilds during the racing season. :thumbdown:

To me this is not a big surprise, doesn't mean KTM/Bajaj relationship is a failure. As a first try ... I think they did pretty good. :D

KTM (with help from wealthy Bajaj) can afford to work out the bugs and make a good solid bike using proven KTM engineering ... and with careful QA, Bajaj can get this right. It can happen if they stick with it. :mchappy:

It's true the specs are not impressive but the low-ish price will no doubt attract buyers. If the reliability is there ... over time and with upgrades, could be a decent ADV travel bike.

It's really interesting (to me anyway) what's going on worldwide with Motorcycle OEM's. BMW are also now in India (G310GS). And of course BMW have been making bikes and engines in China for over 15 years.

BMW finally admitted out front that their "ALL NEW" F850GS engine is produced by long time BMW partner, Loncin. (China)

Loncin has produced the BMW 650 single for over a decade ... and although BMW would not admit it ... I'm quite sure the original F800GS twin engine was built there too.

This new 850 motor (designed by BMW, not Rotax like the F800) is said to be a really great engine. The new F850 bike is reasonably priced (for a BMW!!!), most likely due to the Loncin produced engine.

Seems every company are everywhere, but the most popular country for production over last 20 years, far and away, has been Thailand. Both Honda and Kawasaki have been in Thailand over 20 years ... and it's a high quality product equal to Japan.

Suzuki builds cars there (good ones!), but most famous entry is Triumph, who came to Thailand in "around" 2003. World class quality. It's not just Bonnevilles, its just about everything Triumph do ... built in Thailand. :D

Not to forget the partnership KTM has with CFmoto in China (51% with CFmoto) and the new 100.000 sq meter factory which is being built now, to produce 200.000 bikes a year?
The new KTM 790 ADV bike will be completely made in China. (amongst other places IMO)
Was told by CFmoto production will start late 2019?

Wow! That's news to me! I'd heard something about the partnership with CFmoto, but wasn't up to date on details. That is a huge commitment for KTM/Bajaj.

IIRC, CFmoto have a really good reputation for quality? ... true?

That new 790 better be good, IMO, a lot is riding on it for KTM as competition is coming from all side in that class. (Yamaha T7, BMW F850)

I heard even Ducati now have some sort of partnership with someone in India!
?c?

After seeing Aaron on ktm 500 exc RTW trip and my current 150 mth experience with ktm I wouldn't worry about ktm engines, at least not more then about Japanese engines.