We check if KTM’s new 390 adventure RE Himalayan 450 can justify its big value difference.
Two of the most compelling options in the middle capacity category in India are 2025 KTM 390 adventure and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. While both bikes promise adventure-redi capabilities, they take different approaches for design, features, performance and ride quality. However, the most important difference between the two is their price, and we are here to tell you whether the new child on the block justifies its high price tag.
Form and work
The latest KTM 390 adventure embraces a more rugged advice-centered design. While it appears to be more premium than its predecessor, its underbeli exit design distracts from traditional adventure bikes.
The KTM headlamp easily excludes RE.
Available in only two colors, the beauty of KTM cannot appeal to all, but it feels modern and carries less view than the Himalayas. However, the widespread use of plastic panels means that you have to learn to live with buzz and rattal, some our test bikes already had.
RE’s headlamp has enough light.
The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 has a traditional ADV beauty and instead focuses on a large fuel tank, minimal bodywork, and more muscle naked looks with a small windscreen. Large dimensions, heavy weight and individual side-stand lean angles make it feel like a large motorcycle, but the negative side makes it heavy and intimidating for some riders. The greater metal-heavy construction of the Himalayan gives it a great meaning of durability and cruelty.
TFT of 390 adventure has a better user interface.
Both motorcycles have essential electronics such as a TFT display, switchable ABS and riding modes, but the KTM 390 adventure cruise control, traction control, cornering ABS and segment-one step ahead with a segment-elaborate features such as ABS mode.
The switchgear of KTM feels high quality and more touch.
The user interface of KTM is smooth, retains rider preferences even after switch off, and the touch is more premium feeling with switchgear.
The spherical TFT of the Himalayan is also in a sunny day.
In contrast, the electronics of the Himalayas 450 feel less sophisticated. The mode-switching reaction is inconsistent, and the underlying Google Maps navigation, while the principle requires an unlock smartphone screen to act excellent, which makes it less practical.
The switchgear of the enfield does not feel almost as a touch as KTMS.
Togling switch to browse the menu also feels flashy and difficult to control the user experience. Given these quirks, the KTM interface seems more polished and rider-friendly.
Relaxation and convenience
The KTM 390 adventure has an honest seating position with a broad handler, which makes it comfortable for long riders. Its slightly tilted stance is AIDS control, while long windscreen provides better wind protection. However, non-doubtful windscreen can infiltrate for something and block airflow, causing the city to ride in hot weather. Its LED headlamp is the best on any Indian motorcycle, which is much better of the Himalayas.
KTM does not offer its hard seat option.
The KTM has equipped the 390 adventure with a crash bar, a bash plate and a handgard, but the bike lacks a center stand and has limited goods-mounting points. While KTM provides alternative goods, Himalayas take an edge in optimization.
Useful rear racks and alternative touring seats better equip the Himalayas for a long tour.
The Royal Enfield provides a wide range of OEM goods, including the option of goods, seat options and crash security. It has better standard goods growing points, and its tank guard doubles as an additional growing location. The alternative touring seat is the most comfortable in its class, making it better suited to long rides.
Wander
The KTM 390 adventure is a significant 13 kg lighter compared to the Himalayan, making it easier to maneuver. Light weight also helps small riders feel more confident in handling the bike, especially off-road. The throttle response of KTM is accurate, its electronics increase trail riding, and its brakes provide better control.
Thanks to its light weight, it is easy to handle the KTM off-road.
The two-directional Quickshifter is a great addition, making the gear shift uninterrupted-especially when wearing an off-road boot. However, the suspension of KTM struggles with aggressive off-road riding, often downs down. While the KTM provides adjustable suspension, it does not cope with the Himalayas, even when fires, and most rider will prefer a well -balanced setup out of the box.
On the other hand, Himalayan 450, provides a better suspension setup that easily absorbs off-road bumps. Despite its heavy weight, it manages low -speed exercises and jumped surprisingly well. The torque engine is easy to control, and the clutch, although accurate, is not as light as KTM. Brakes require careful modulation, as the rear is easily closed. During the deficiency of advanced electronic rider AIDS, the Himalayas still perform adminius in off-road conditions, which performs KTM and handles 95 percent about keeping their rider more comfortable during it.
On the open road
On highways, the KTM 390 adventure is more attractive and stable and equipped with cruise control, which is a game-chain for a long-range journey. KTM shared its main frame and engine with 2024 KTM 390 dukes, but it has a Bespok rear subfime, swingarm and steering head for increased stability. It keeps the speed of triple-contente easily and is faster than in the Himalayas. In our tests, the 390 adventure was about a second quicker to 100kph, while the roll-on acceleration is almost equal.
The Himalayas provide a more tractable mid-range and better overall comfort. Its luxurious suspension smiles rough patch, making it a better option to travel long distances. It also has a large fuel tank, which is a improvement in the range. However, the Himalayas handler vibrates on high RPM, causing numb hand after extended rides.
Despite this, the Himalayas perform well as a commuter, with a tight twist with radius and smooth lane-skipping capabilities. Meanwhile, the KTM feels smooth at the speed of the highway, but the low raves within the city have hard vibrations in footpec. Himalayan’s braking figures were taken to surprise me, which were very high despite the high weight with KTM.
Different strokes for different folks
Both motorcycle rider offer compelling options based on preferences. The KTM 390 adventure provides light weight, better electronics and strong performance. The main attraction is that it is lighter and easy to ride compared to the Himalayas, and it has a chassis that is entangling both on the road and outside. On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is a more rugged, comfortable and budget -friendly option.
KTM is clearly a better adventure bike, but the issue arises when you look at the on-road price difference, which extends to Rs 80,000-90,000 in Mumbai. If you just want a lighter and friendly nature of KTM, then Lower-Spec 390 Adventure X with your 19-inch front wheel is the answer, especially since it costs the same as the Himalayas.
However, people wishing to pay additional funds for standard 390 adventure work are probably doing this for an additional edge in off-road performance, and that is the place where the suspension of KTM does not coincide significantly. Therefore, in this particular comparison, the Himalayas 450 to win by a whisper from the point of view of a money for just one value.
See also:
KTM 390 Adventure vs Royal Enfield Himalayan Comparison Video
