A Standout Affordable Adventure Motorcycle Just Got a Much-Needed Riding Upgrade

KTM’s middleweight ADV offering has gained some new suspension options that’ll make it even more capable and fun to ride.

Close-up of a motorcycle's front wheel, suspension fork with orange and white graphics, and part of the engine frame in orange.

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By Gray Van Dyke

Published October 9, 2025

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Updated November 10, 2025

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While motorcycle manufacturers work hard to ensure that their bikes can accommodate riders of varying heights, weights and abilities, obviously, there’s no truly one-size-fits-all approach.

As such, things like suspension can prove to be pretty lacking depending on how you fall with respect to the calculated average. Too heavy, and you’ll bottom out. Too light, and you’ll be in for a rough ride.

Orange and white KTM dirt bike with rider in matching gear jumping over a fallen tree in a forest. — The 390 Adventure R was already a capable motorcycle, and some trick new suspension will only improve its abilities.

With this in mind, WP Suspension has just released some new suspension options for the KTM 390 Adventure R (and KTM 125/390 Enduro R). It’s a move that brings a much-needed upgrade to an already standout option in the middleweight adventure motorcycle segment.

Improving on the 390 Adventure R

So what’s all the fuss about some new forks and shocks, anyway?

Well, from the factory, KTM equips the 390 Adventure R with a set of WP Apex 43 forks and a WP Apex rear shock. While the 2025 model brings more travel compared to previous iterations (now up to nine inches), this means the bike is nevertheless rolling on suspension derived from a KTM road bike. Have a quick search for owner experiences and you’ll see that this can be something of a compromise.

Close-up of a white coil spring suspension with black and orange components on a motorcycle frame. — Beyond some weight savings, the rear shock provides more predictable damping and better off-road stability.

As such, the newly launched Pro Components options are bound to be a boon for riders who are really looking to push the limits of their 390’s performance. Each piece comes developed with input from extensive R&D and field testing in Rally, Dakar and FIM Enduro World Championship events.

The Xplor Pro 6500 forks offer increased adjustability for compression, rebound and preload, as well as options for spring rate. What’s more, their open-cartridge construction and svelte design mean that they’re lighter than stock while also offering improved cooling, lower friction and a more refined feel.

Close-up of the front suspension and wheel of an orange KTM dirt bike on rocky terrain. — The Xplor Pro 6500 forks offer increased adjustability for compression, rebound and preload.

Similarly, the Xplor Pro 6746 shock features a top-shelf CNC-milled build that tips the scales at just a little over six pounds. Beyond its lightweight construction, it brings more predictable damping and better off-road stability thanks to the addition of high-speed and low-speed compression, rebound adjusters and spring preload.

An already capable package

It’s worth noting that, even before the availability of these suspension upgrades, KTM’s 390 Adventure R made for a capable middleweight.

Off-road motorcycle with orange and white body and knobby tires ridden on a dirt trail in a forest. — The KTM 390 Adventure R might be one of the smaller adventure bikes on the market, but it’s hardly lacking when it comes to go-anywhere potential.

For instance, power for the bike comes from a 399cc single producing 44 horsepower and 28 lb-ft of torque. While this might not sound like much on paper, it’s plenty of grunt for a package that tips the scales at less than 400 pounds fully fueled.

What’s more, the 390 Adventure R isn’t just rally-inspired in design — it brings true utility. Between a 21-inch front wheel, some spoked rims, a low-profile tank design and a skid plate to protect the engine, it’s a small yet mighty factory off-road option.

Top it off with a suite of rider aids in the form of tech like Cornering MTC, Cornering ABS and Off-Road ABS, and the result is an entry-level adventure bike that packs a ton of capability. And with a starting price of $7,699, it leaves you plenty of room in the budget for upgrades like the Xplor Pro suspension.

Rider in full gear on an orange KTM dirt bike kicking up dust on a rugged off-road trail. — As with the 390 Adventure R, the 125 and 390 Enduro R also benefit from these suspension upgrades.

Pricing and availability

If you’re a KTM 390 Adventure R owner and you’re looking to get your hands on the WP Suspension Xplor Pro forks and shock, head over to the company’s website to find your nearest authorized dealer.

Per publications like Visordown, MSRP is set to be priced at £700 (~$930) for the forks and £1,137 (~$1,500) for the shock, though taxes and imports could affect these numbers Stateside.

Black and white coil shock absorber with red accents and attached reservoir, shown with mounting hardware.

WP Suspension Xplor Pro for KTM 390 Adventure R

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About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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