A lot has changed since the last time you saw our KTM 390 Enduro R on this page. That motorcycle was a test bike assigned to us and the one you see here bears my name on its RC card. This means, among other things, that I got to run-in two Enduros in quick succession. What fun, no?
Somehow, given how much headroom it offers, it did actually turn out that way. So far, my routine involves as many sub-150 km round trips I can squeeze into a week (I’ve managed five or six so far) aside from whatever excuses Manaal comes up with to ride it. As we speak, my Enduro has gobbled up yet another 150 km over a fun shoot which you can find elsewhere in this issue.
Among the learnings of living with the Enduro is that the seat sort of grows on you. I still don’t think it’s ideal for a 1000 km riding day — well, neither is the fuel tank — but my little expeditions sure feel comfier. And faster. Aren’t the tyres a bit too knobby for the road? Truthfully, they’re better than they look. All of my rides (all assists turned off) have featured menacing bouts of rain and my confidence in the tyres has only risen with each stint. I hope I haven’t spoken too soon.
I have, however, overshot the first service interval, but, fortunately, with no sign of mechanical protest (yet!). On another note, I think it’ll stay bone-stock for the time being. The aux-light and wider ’pegs I was mulling over can wait until after a shakedown long–haul ride. Goa, then?
