KTM 390 Enduro R Review (2026): 45 HP LC4c, 230mm WP Apex & Specs
The hard-enduro dual-sport motorcycle powered by a 45 HP 399cc LC4c single, 230mm long-travel WP Apex suspension, 21-inch/18-inch heavy-duty spoked wheels, 265mm ground clearance, and Offroad ABS electronics.
43mm open-cartridge upside-down forks absorb massive rock ledges with clicker damping adjustments.
High belly clearance prevents frame high-centering over fallen logs and boulder steps.
Disengages rear anti-lock braking completely while retaining front-wheel anti-skid protection.
Full-color display paired with KTM Connect app for offline trail waypoint routing.
399cc LC4c DOHC Single-Cylinder Engine
Longer 64.0mm stroke, revised cylinder head, and optimized low-RPM tractor torque.
Torque Curve & Power Delivery
46mm Throttle Body with RbW
Ride-by-Wire system provides precise fueling without flame-outs at low throttle crawl speeds in technical rock beds.
PASC Slipper & Assist Clutch
One-finger clutch lever pull allows fatigue-free clutch slipping on steep singletrack switchbacks.
Curved Radiator with High-Flow Fan
High-capacity cooling package prevents engine overheating during low-speed, high-load hill climbs.
Trail Speed & Dual Sport Benchmarks
GPS verified acceleration times, highway top speed, and range data.
Brisk tarmac acceleration with short off-road 1st and 2nd gear ratios.
Comfortable 70 mph highway cruising speed in 6th gear overdrive.
Yields over 160 miles of dual-sport adventure range from the 10.0L tank.
Steel Trellis Frame & WP Apex Suspension
Hydroformed steel trellis chassis paired with 21-inch/18-inch heavy-duty spoked wheels.
Chassis & Hardware Architecture
- Frame: 2-piece design (Steel Trellis Main / Cast Aluminum Subframe)
- Front Fork: 43mm WP Apex Open-Cartridge USD, 230mm travel
- Rear Shock: WP Apex Monoshock with progressive damping, 230mm travel
- Front Brakes: ByBre 2-piston floating caliper, 300mm wavy disc
- Rear Brake: ByBre 1-piston floating caliper, 240mm wavy disc
- Wheels: Heavy-duty aluminum rims with steel spokes (21" Front / 18" Rear)
Geometry & Off-Road Dimensions
- Ground Clearance: 265 mm (10.4 in)
- Seat Height: 880 mm (34.6 in)
- Wheelbase: 1,460 mm
- Dry Weight: 148 kg (326 lbs)
- Wet Weight: 158 kg (348 lbs with 10.0L fuel)
- Tires: Metzeler Karoo 4 (90/90-21 Front, 140/80-18 Rear)
Enduro Cockpit & Off-Road Ergonomics
Narrow enduro bench seat, serrated steel footpegs, and tapered aluminum handlebars.
Standing Rider Triangle
The fuel tank-to-seat transition is flat and slim, allowing riders to slide forward over the tank in tight turns or shift weight over the rear axle during steep descents. Serrated footpegs with removable rubber inserts provide boot grip in thick mud.
TFT Display & Switchgear
The 5.0-inch color TFT display offers clear visibility in bright sunlight and displays fuel range, gear indicator, and active ABS modes. A dedicated button on the left switchgear toggles Offroad ABS in seconds.
Complete 30-Point Technical Spec Matrix
Detailed engineering specifications across engine, chassis, and electronic rider aids.
Engine & Powertrain
- Engine: 399cc Liquid-Cooled 4-Stroke DOHC 4V Single
- Bore x Stroke: 89.0 x 64.0 mm
- Compression Ratio: 12.6:1
- Peak Power: 45.0 HP (33.5 kW) @ 8,500 RPM
- Peak Torque: 39.0 Nm (28.8 lb-ft) @ 6,500 RPM
- Fuel System: Bosch EFI with 46mm Throttle Body
- Transmission: 6-Speed (Quickshifter+ Ready)
- Clutch: PASC Slipper & Assist Clutch, Cable Operated
- Exhaust: Stainless Underfloor Pre-Muffler with Side Silencer
- Final Drive: 520 X-Ring Chain
Chassis & Suspension
- Frame: Steel Trellis, Powder-Coated
- Subframe: Cast Aluminum Bolt-On Subframe
- Front Fork: 43mm WP Apex USD (230mm travel)
- Rear Shock: WP Apex Monoshock with Linkage (230mm travel)
- Front Brakes: ByBre 2-Piston Floating, 300mm Wavy Disc
- Rear Brake: ByBre 1-Piston Floating, 240mm Disc
- Front Wheel: 21" Heavy-Duty Spoked (90/90-21)
- Rear Wheel: 18" Heavy-Duty Spoked (140/80-18)
- Ground Clearance: 265 mm (10.4 in)
- Wet Weight: 158 kg (348 lbs)
Electronics & Safety
- Throttle: Full Ride-by-Wire (RbW)
- Riding Modes: Street Mode & Off-Road Mode
- Traction Control: Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC)
- ABS System: Bosch 9.3 MP Dual-Channel with Offroad ABS
- Display: 5.0-inch Color TFT Screen
- Connectivity: KTM Connect Bluetooth Integration
- Lighting: Full LED Headlight, Indicators & Tail Lamp
- Fuel Tank: 10.0 Liters (2.64 US gal)
- Seat Height: 880 mm (34.6 in)
- Handguards: Reinforced Wrap-Around Plastic Handguards
Editorial Verdict & Buying Guidance
Final scorecard, trail capabilities, and target rider recommendation.
Why Buy the 390 Enduro R
- 45 HP LC4c single easily maintains 70+ mph highway speeds between trailheads.
- 230mm WP Apex suspension soaks up rocky drops and waterbars with ease.
- Full-size 21/18 spoked wheels accept wide selections of hardcore DOT knobby tires.
- Offroad ABS mode allows rear wheel sliding for sharp off-camber turns.
- Outstanding $6,299 MSRP provides incredible value in the street-legal enduro category.
Consider Alternatives If
- You have a shorter inseam and find the 880mm (34.6-inch) seat height intimidating.
- You require dedicated luggage racks and large windscreens for multi-week ADV tours.
- You prefer pure competition 450cc race enduros with sub-110kg weights.
Technical Deep Dive: LC4c Architecture & WP Damping
The 2026 KTM 390 Enduro R fulfills the long-standing demand for a street-legal, lightweight enduro bike that bridges the gap between lethargic 250cc dual-sports and expensive 500cc race platforms. The centerpiece of the machine is the updated 399cc LC4c single-cylinder engine, which features a stroke lengthened to 64.0mm to generate 39 Nm of torque low in the rev range.
WP Apex Open-Cartridge Damping & Frame Rigidity
Unlike generic damper-rod forks found on budget dual-sports, the 43mm WP Apex inverted forks use split-damping open cartridges. Compression damping is regulated on the left fork leg while rebound damping is adjusted on the right. The hydroformed steel trellis frame provides torsional stiffness to hold tracking lines through rutted corners.
The 390 Enduro R gives riders genuine 75 mph highway capability without turning into a heavy handful on steep singletrack switchbacks.
Off-Road Rider Electronics & Weight Balance
With a wet weight of only 158 kg, the 390 Enduro R stays light on its wheels. The Bosch 9.3 MP ABS computer features a dedicated Offroad mode that disengages rear-wheel anti-lock braking completely while softening front ABS intervention, allowing riders to utilize aggressive threshold braking on loose gravel downhills.
Frequently Asked Questions: KTM 390 Enduro R
It is powered by the updated 399cc liquid-cooled LC4c single-cylinder engine producing 45.0 HP (33.5 kW) at 8,500 RPM and 39.0 Nm of torque at 6,500 RPM.
It features 230mm of front and rear suspension travel via fully adjustable 43mm WP Apex open-cartridge forks and a WP Apex monoshock, with 265mm (10.4 inches) of ground clearance.
It comes standard with full-size off-road spoked wheels: a 21-inch front rim and an 18-inch rear rim fitted with dual-sport knobby tires.
The 390 Enduro R includes Ride-by-Wire with Street and Off-Road riding modes, switchable Cornering MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control), and dual-channel Bosch ABS with Offroad ABS mode (disengages rear-wheel ABS).
The bike has a dry weight of approximately 148 kg (326 lbs) and a wet weight of 158 kg (348 lbs) with a 34.6-inch (880 mm) off-road bench seat.
The 2026 KTM 390 Enduro R carries an official base MSRP of $6,299 USD in North America (€6,699 in Europe).