KTM 390 Adventure S vs Himalayan 450: Who Rules The Himalayas Now?

Indian riders are demanding adventure motorcycles because of their rugged charm and versatile capabilities. India's diverse geography, ranging from the Himalayan and Aravali trails to coastal highways and desert stretches has created a demand for motorcycles built to conquer varied terrains. Thus, KTM, BMW and Royal Enfield have readied their adventure motorcycles to attract more consumers.

We all know that ADV motorcycles are crafted for both comfort and durability, which makes them ideal for long-distance touring and weekend escapades.

Whether it’s a solo road trip across Ladakh or a group ride to unexplored destinations somewhere in Rajasthan, adventure bikes represent freedom, exploration and the spirit of adventure. With an ever-growing community of riders, these motorcycles are more than just a mode of transport; they’re a gateway to unforgettable journeys.

KTM has just unveiled a new 2025 version of the 390 Adventure at the India Bike Week (IBW) in Goa. The new machine will be called the KTM 390 Adventure S and the motorcycle will be launched in January 2025. Last month, KTM unveiled the 390 Adventure R at the EICMA and the new S variant carries the same design. The brand has only unveiled one colour tone and the orange legacy is clearly visible here.

Although KTM hasn’t shared any information about the lower/higher seat height version and other variants of the motorcycle yet, there's ample info available for us to pit it against the Himalayan 450 from Royal Enfield. 

KTM 390 Adventure S vs Royal Enfield Himalayan 450

Design and accessibility

The KTM 390 Adventure S variant will come with a trellis frame, long windshield and tons of electronics. It is expected to come with cruise control, a slipper clutch and a 17-litre fuel tank capacity. The seat height of the KTM 390 Adventure S should be somewhere around 855mm.

On the other hand, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 features a twin-spar tubular frame but the Himalayan 450 doesn’t have a cruise control feature. The Himalayan 450 also has a massive 17-litre fuel tank. However, both motorcycles have ride-by-wire technology.

Royal Enfield has made the Himalayan 450 accessible for 5-feet-5-inch tall riders with a 825mm seat height. Users can also go for the 805mm seat height version in the Himalayan 450. The 390 Adventure S features a single-piece seat but the Himalayan 450 features a split seat.

The KTM 390 Adventure S will come with a 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel. On the display unit, KTM has shown the spoke wheel with the Apollo Tramplr tube tyre but according to the reports KTM is working on the tubeless tyres. Other than this, it has an LED headlight and a 5-inches TFT display.

Its competitor, the Himalayan 450, also comes with a 21-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear wheel but the Himalayan 450 has the edge of tubeless tyres with spoke rims. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 features the world’s first full-map navigation circular instrument cluster. The ground clearance of the KTM 390 Adventure S is unspecified but the Himalayan 450 ground clearance is 230mm.

Engine and performance

According to sources, this KTM 390 Adventure S will be powered by the KTM 390 Duke Gen 3 engine’s 399cc single-cylinder engine but we can’t say anything about the power figures because the brand will tune the engine for this Adventure S.

The Himalayan 450 is powered by a 452cc single-cylinder engine, producing a maximum power of 40.2 PS and a peak torque of 40 Nm. Compared to the 390 Duke, the Himalayan falls behind in power figures, as the 390 Duke Gen 3 generates 45.3 bhp and 39 Nm of torque. Both motorcycles feature switchable ABS modes.

Price and verdict

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 starts with an ex-showroom price of INR 2.85 lakhs and the current version of the KTM 390 Adventure starts from INR 3.40 lakhs. The 390 Adventure S is expected to be more expensive than the current version of the 390 Adventure.

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is a reliable and easy-to-drive machine, courtesy of its well-tuned engine and an accessible package. The previous versions of all KTM 390 Adventure motorcycles were reliable but lacked low-end torque.

However, the demand for the Himalayan 450 was always high due to the greater accessibility of the motorcycle. The new 390 Adventure S feels like a more advanced and electronically loaded motorcycle but again, the height and price will play a main role in the buying decision of the riders.