KTM 390 Adventure S vs Honda NX500
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
KTM 390 Adventure S and Honda NX500 are both adventure bikes and turn up together on most shortlists. The NX500 costs ₹3,38,889 more than the 390 Adventure S, so the question is whether what it adds is worth roughly 84% extra.
The 390 Adventure S takes 4 of the 6 categories we score. Our overall ratings are 7.5/10 for the 390 Adventure S and 6/10 for the NX500.
Category by category
Price
390 Adventure S
The 390 Adventure S starts ₹3,38,889 lower (₹4,05,011 against ₹7,43,900), about ₹10,750 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
Tie
Identical mileage claims of 26.5 kmpl.
Performance
390 Adventure S
390 Adventure S has the better power-to-weight ratio: 249 against 239 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
NX500
NX500 adds dual-channel abs that the 390 Adventure S does not have on any variant.
Features
390 Adventure S
390 Adventure S gets slipper clutch, projector headlamp, ride modes and usb charging port.
City manners
390 Adventure S
390 Adventure S is 14 kg lighter, which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the 390 Adventure S if
- you want the lower purchase price and EMI
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- you are a new rider or shorter and want the lighter bike
- your priority is long-distance touring with light off-road use
Buy the NX500 if
- dual-channel ABS is non-negotiable for you
- you live where Honda's bigger service network matters
- your priority is long-distance touring
- your priority is mixed tarmac and light off-road use
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | 390 Adventure S | NX500 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹4,05,011 | ₹7,43,900 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹4,60,900 | ₹8,33,000 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹1,67,420 | ₹1,67,420 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹35,000 | ₹35,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹22,124 | ₹39,984 |
| Five-year total | ₹6,85,444 | ₹10,75,404 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | KTM390 Adventure S | HondaNX500 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹4,05,011 | ₹7,43,900 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹12,840 | ₹23,590 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 398.6 cc | 471 cc |
| Engine type | 1 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves | 2 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled |
| Power | 45.3 bhp | 46.9 bhp |
| Torque | 39 Nm | 43 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 26.5 kmpl | 26.5 kmpl |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 182 kg | 196 kg |
| Fuel tank | 14.5 L | 17.5 L |
| Seat height | 830 mm | 830 mm |
| Ground clearance | 237 mm | 181 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1470 mm | 1447 mm |
| Length | — | 2165 mm |
| Width | — | 829 mm |
| Height | — | 1413 mm |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 320 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 296 mm, 4 piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Disc, 240 mm, 1 piston caliper | Disc, 240 mm, 1 piston caliper |
| ABS / CBS | Switchable ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front suspension | WP Upside-Down Forks | Showa 41mm SFF-BP upside-down (USD) front forks |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock with Preload and Rebound Adjustment | Pro-Link mono-suspension |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 90/90-21 | 110/80-R19 |
| Rear tyre | 130/80-17 | 160/60-R17 |
390 Adventure S vs NX500: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the 390 Adventure S or the NX500?
- The 390 Adventure S is cheaper by ₹3,38,889 at the base variant (₹4,05,011 against ₹7,43,900 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the 390 Adventure S or the NX500?
- Both claim 26.5 kmpl.
- What is the on-road price difference between the 390 Adventure S and NX500 in Delhi?
- About ₹3,72,100: roughly ₹4,60,900 for the 390 Adventure S and ₹8,33,000 for the NX500, base variants, including road tax, registration and insurance.
- Which costs less to own over five years?
- Our estimate for five years at 30 km a day in Delhi is ₹6,85,444 for the 390 Adventure S and ₹10,75,404 for the NX500, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The 390 Adventure S comes out ₹3,89,960 ahead.
