Visordown takes a look at two big names in the world of the A2 adventure bikes. The Honda CB500 X and the KTM 390 Adventure.
Both provide everyday useability with off-road prowess, although if you are looking for out-and-out off-road performance, there really is only one winner!
Check out the video to find out which!
Intro (00:00)
Engine (1:20)
Suspension and Handling (2:36)
Comfort (4:15)
Verdict (5:18)
Outro (6:48)
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Visordown.com is the #1 online motorcycle website for news, reviews, and all things motorbike with 1 million monthly users and growing.
We’re best known for covering all the latest motorcycles launches and bike industry announcements, breaking motorbikes news, first ride, and road test.
One million monthly bikers and growing!
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Honda looks better. Better engine too and built quality. Reliability also is very important. Id rather have the honda than the ktm at this point.
I stopped watching when you said the KTM had a single cylinder. No thumpers for me.
who support me and send to me thailand honda cb500x engine i need build bopper but no can buy bike. want build own.
Suggestion: Head to Head : Triumph Tiger 900 GT (not the Pro) vs Suzuki V-Strom 1050 XT (both same price in Canada).
Im thinking between honda cb500x and benelli trk502x. What would you recomend? Prices are 6790€ for honda 6500€ for benelli, and for this ktm 390 its 6990€. I am 2 meter 98kg male. Im also interested in the reliability and resale value as i plan on going for a 1000cc bike after a couple of years.
In the Indian market – the price of this Honda is more than double compared to the KTM 390 adventure.
The KTM is far more loaded with features, is extremely reliable and finally major value for money.
Honda’s pricing only shows their obtuse arrogance and zero understanding of consumer needs.
I’m a 5ft 2 female looking for an adventure bike , would lowering both bikes affect handling and will one shine over the other when it comes to lowering capabilities?
I have just demo'd these 2 bikes in the UK and am not biased to either, I can't understand this review as the KTM I rode was pretty gutless below 5k revs, and the vibes from the footpegs were very intrusive to the point of saying this is not a good roadbike at all, but on a trail, much better than the Honda, but for my purpose, mainly roadriding, and a bit of trail riding the Honda wins hands down, more comfy, runs almost like a sewing machine, much better low end and better protection and fuel consumption, + better fit & finish. Bought the Honda, also with much better reliability a consideration. Pleased !!
you can adjust the screen on the Honda with an Allen key.
Which bike is more comfortable for someone 6'6 and 190lbs? Thanks.
KTM 390 Adventure is a very competitive bike.
after a lot of research I went with the KTM 390 Adventure and glad I did after 3,500 + Km am very happy with it no problems on the highway, and much better off road, and feels much lighter than it is, and so easy to go slow on. Did take the Honda out for a test run but found that the KTM was more of what I wanted. I traded in my Versys 300 X and what a great improvement all round, As far as wind protection, I will go with out, the Versys had way to much, I love the feel of the wind on my chest, one of the best things about riding a bike. If you want to do off road and a lot of gravel and dirt roads, as well as highway go with the KTK if mostly just highway and very little off road go with the Honda. But remember when you hit the off road you want the best you can get on a ADV bike, even if most of your riding is highway, which mine is, most likely 80% road and 20% off road but having over 8,000 Km already this season, on 3 bikes, that is still a lot of dirt and gravel and off road. Some of the dirt roads I do have 2' tall grass growing up the center. Thinking about it unless you want the wind protection I would go with the KTM 390 Adventure. That way if you want to do dirt roads and off road you have the best small ADV bike for the job.
People always look down on single cyl smaller cc bikes but it’s weigh lot lesser and more practical for daily use . Even a 1000cc bike can’t be that more easy to maneuver
if I am looking for a motorcycle to travel with two people, which one would you recommand ?
We know the category where the Honda wins far ahead – RELIABILITY = Honda easily.
KTMs are known to break with mystery faults & technical failures.
For off the shelf there's no question the KTM stands out but once you add two words to the mix, the CB500X (which many enthusiasts and even industry analysts already consider the best "you can only own one bike" bike ever made) takes the crown. Those two words? Rally Raid.
I test rode the ADV 390 and it is NOT stable over 100kph. Get the Honda. Oh and I love ktm duke 390, but that’s not a dual sport
There's a lot of people knocking the KTM reliability, but they are pretty close in reliability as far as ratings found online. Ktm with 4.3/5 and Honda with 4.7/5.
I just did the Continental divide on the 390 adventure it was absolutely flawless, how’s that for reliability. It is a adventure bike and proved its dependability. Nuff Said
I now have just over 6,500 on my KTM 390 and loving it, hitting a lot more gravel and dirt roads than I though I would this bike handles them so good and some of the roads are more pot holes and ruts than good road. Very surprised how good it handles the sand, I did put the Dunlop TrailMax Mission tire on and they do great job on and off road, and with 6,500 km only wore down 1 mm, ( 1/32" ) new the tread is 10 mm so they are going to last a long time. I have the GIVI Trekker 33/46 hard bags on and even fully loaded I am still getting 3.3 liters per 100 km that is 439 km per tank of gas, ( 273 miles ) I do wish they would of went with a 18 liter gas tank, That would give 545 km per tank or ( 339 miles per tank ) Then even if you hit Newfoundland and Labrador you would not have to carry extra gas. If this bike had a 18 liger gas tank it would be a 10 out of 10 for me but with a 14.5 I can only give it a 9.
Yes absolutely every motorbike manufacturer is making offroading bikes but some are pure offroader like Himalayan and Hero Xpulse with 21 inch front wheel spoke and tubed wheels
guess I am old school , neither one of these bikes are supper fast , wheelie monsters, of moto X racers , so I wouldn't care for the extra electronic fudle . Give me a motorcycle that you ride and make the decisions every time . that is what riding is all about to me . I make the choices good or bad ,, if you make to many bad , go to driving school and learn how to ride LOL 🙂 Honda all the way for me
Bias comparizon, seems you prefer KTM
I’ll take the Honda, save up for the rally raid kit , and bingo one of the best adventure bikes ever!
Having had recalls, parts problems, and electrical problems with my Japanese bikes over the years, I think “Japanese Quality” is over rated. I’ve had no problems with my KTM!
For long rides I prefer the Honda for the two cylinders comfort,For adventure I prefer the KTM because of the superb low end torque power..All rounder i prefer the Honda
Honda mostly makes heavy and slow (low performance) bikes !
Would like to see a cb 700x
If KTM would get rid of the 6 axis IMU and just offer switchable ABS you'd save a grand off the price. Wtf were they thinking??!! The Honda has constant ABS I believe. Not good off-road.
Cb500x all day
Honda CB500x would be the choice for those commuters who like to look like they do adventure touring in the weekend but mostly stick to tarmac.
The KTM is for people who actually do like trail riding to remote spots away from people – and know that weight and suspension matter – not how something looks or 'reliability' which is bs anyway since the honda would probably run into troubles after 5 hours of trail bashing
KTM beats Honda by Power and Price. Honda smoothens the ride with refinement and reliability
I want to see at Scooter's off road capability vs Honda 500x
I looked at maybe switching my 500x for 390 but, 390 didn't seem adequate replacement. My main motivation was weight as I sometimes haul bike on hitch carrier of the truck when I go on vacation. When compared everything, it wasn't worthy. I hauled my X from Texas to Cali to Oregon and rode back 2100+ miles. I'm sure 390 could do it too but, X has the edge in my opinion.
Weight is a factor. The Honda wet weight, and if outfitted with crash protection, would be about equal weight wise with the KTM 890! KTM is much lighter.
Kind of late comment but is the KTM 390 Adventure worth the extra over a Royal Enfield Himalayan? My wife has always road KTM but I'm very intrigued by the REH.
Does the KTM have switchable ABS for the rear?
CB500X: more engine, more torque, more wind protection, no vibes, confortable, twin cylinders…
These European reviews are horrible… Still only slightly better than the horrendous Indian reviews though.
On road: honda. Off road: ktm.