KTM 250 ADVENTURE
Bajaj Auto’s fifth spin-off based on the KTM 250 Duke is your ticket to the Adventure family. But is it worthy of the Adv tag?
The ticket to sports touring
AFTER HAVING SEEN GLIMPSES OF THE KTM 250 Adventure in 2019, we finally have it with us although the launch was sightly delayed owing to the pandemic. The 390 Adventure set the premise for the KTM Adventure family in India last year but couldn’t really take off. And again we are in the same dilemma – why should you be spending the extra 50,000 bucks over the 250 Duke which is similarly equipped but just shorter? Also, when you have a sea of Bajaj 250s to choose from, does the 250 Adventure really deserve to be priced at a premium?
What’s new?
KTM has rummaged the 250 Duke’s bin for the motor and sprockets while picking up the chassis from the 390 Adventure. The halogen headlamp and switchgear is sourced from the 125/200 Duke and there you have it – the recipe of the 250 Adventure. The LCD cluster replaces the rich TFT of the 390 which means there’s no Bluetooth anymore but the information displayed is aplenty; which is typical of a KTM. You can also switch to Off-road ABS (switches off ABS at the rear) using the cluster. The wholesome electronics package has been given a miss so there’s no quickshifter, traction control and ride-by-wire. The Metzeler Tourance tyres have been replaced by interestingly named MRF Meteor on/off-road rubber.
How does it ride?
The tall 855mm saddle may put off riders who are below 5ft 6in but the riding position instantly makes you feel at home and eggs you to go fast the moment you start the familiar (again) 248.8cc motor. The thrum is muted as compared to the 390 Adventure although the characteristic KTM soundtrack is heard in the higher revs (thankfully). Dump the featherweight clutch and the 250 Adventure gets going in a very relaxed manner. Below 6500rpm, the mini-ADV feels lethargic and that makes you constantly work through the gearbox. Our test bike had done barely 39km on the odo when I picked it up from the Bajaj Auto HQ. So I’d give it the benefit of doubt for not being run-in and thus behaving a bit lazy. But don’t forget, the 250 Adventure weighs the same as the 390 Adventure (177kg) and that adds to its woes. What does not help its case either are the vibrations that creep in through the pegs and the tank right after you get past 7000rpm. As long as you’re happy revving the nuts off the motor, you’ll happy but if you want to cruise comfortably, I’d suggest the Dominar 250 to you.
Ride and handling
The 250 Adventure is simply outstanding on road owing to its supremely balanced chassis and you’ll want to ride this one fast on the straights and even faster in the corners. But it’s too stiff for offroading. Let’s accept the fact that this is a soft-roader. But if you’re into fast trails, the 250 will be more than happy.
Worth the extra money?
Well, Bajaj Auto’s 250cc bouquet has some brilliant machines to choose from and the 250 Adventure does not belong to this group, unfortunately. At `2.48 lakh, ex-showroom, it’s priced exorbitantly considering the Dominar 250 saves you over `80,000 and comes with the same sales pitch – sports touring. And if you want something that does little bit of off-roading, is easier to live with on an everyday basis and looks uber cool, you’ll be better off with the Svartpilen 250. It’ll also save you more than `60,000 as well. But if you want to get yourself the 390 Adventure and can’t really afford it, then the 250 is a better compromise. ⌧
YOU’LL WANT TO RIDE IT FAST ON THE STRAIGHTS AND EVEN FASTER IN THE CORNERS