A stepping stone to the ADV life? Yes, sure!KTM 250 Adventure

KTM 250 Adventure launched at Rs 2.48 lakh

KTM's entry-level ADV comes in with its larger sibling's chassis and cycle parts, though does not get all the tech bits

After the success of the 390 Adventure, KTM has now brought in the 250 Adventure, aimed as a stepping stone to the KTM ADV bikes. It packs the same engine as on the KTM 250 Duke and Husqvarna Svartpilen/Vitpilen 250 duo, making an unchanged 29.6bhp and 24Nm. Further, it also gets the same 6-speed gearbox with a slipper clutch and the larger 320mm rotors up front, as on the BS6 variant of the 250 Duke. However, that is where the similarity ends.

The 250 Adventure, as expected, gets the chassis and suspension components from the 390 Adventure. This means it gets the same WP Apex long-travel forks up front and WP monoshock at the rear with 177mm of travel. Complementing the updated suspension is the ADV-spec wheels — 19-inch up front and 17-inch at the rear — shod with MRF Mogrip Meteor-FM2 dual-purpose tyres. Finally there's the 14.5-litre tank, also seen on the 390 Adventure.

That said, the 250 Adventure is more than just a cut-paste design. Lets start from the front. Now, KTM recently updated the 250 Duke (after the BS6 update) by giving it the split LED headlight setup from the 390 Duke. However, the 250 Adventure makes do with the previous halogen headlight. Additionally, it doesn't get its elder sibling's TFT cluster, and also misses out on the quickshifter, cornering ABS and traction control, though this would be a natural byproduct of a smaller overall sticker (the 250 Adventure is about Rs 50,000 cheaper than the 390 Adventure).

KTM is also offering this understated black paint optionKTM 250 Adventure

However, despite the exclusions, it is still among the better-equipped ADVs out there, going head-to-head with the BMW G310 GS and Royal Enfield Himalayan. Now, though the Himalayan, just like the 250 Adventure, gets the choice of switching off the rear ABS (the G310 GS still doesn't), the lack of performance and heavier weight impacts its overall tractability when off-road. Alternately, though the G310 GS has marginally more power, the few missing tech bits as well as higher sticker (Rs 2.85 lakh, ex-showroom) means it isn't as much of an appealing package.

Bookings for the KTM 250 Adventure are already open, and KTM is offering a black paint scheme along with the usual trademark orange shade.

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