KTM 390 Enduro R fuel economy tested, explained

The KTM 390 Enduro R brings serious off-road capability to the middleweight segment, and it also inherits KTM’s updated 399cc single-cylinder engine. We’ve put some miles on the Enduro R, and here are the fuel efficiency figures it achieved during our tests.

KTM 390 Enduro R real-world fuel efficiency

390 Enduro R returned a fuel efficiency figure of 27.48kpl in the city and 34.8kpl on the highway

We conducted our fuel efficiency tests in real-world conditions, simulating typical city commutes and steady highway runs. Starting with brimming the 390 Enduro R and covering a total of 40.4km, after which the bike consumed 1.47 litres of fuel to the brim. In the city, where stop-go traffic and frequent gear changes are the norm, the 390 Enduro R delivered 27.48kpl. Out on the highway, we repeated the same process and covered 68.4km and topped up the bike with 1.96 litres of fuel. On the open road where the bike could stretch its legs in sixth gear at a consistent cruising pace, it returned an impressive 34.8kpl. 

KTM 390 Enduro R fuel-economy analysis

390 Enduro R gets a larger 18-inch gear wheel compared to the 390 Adventure

These figures are commendable for a motorcycle with genuine off-road hardware, long-travel suspension and knobby tyres. The engine’s tractable low-end and smooth throttle response help make city riding less thirsty than you’d expect. On the highway, the bike’s relaxed cruising nature and well-spaced gear ratios allow it to sip fuel conservatively.

Interestingly, the Enduro R shares its engine and internal gear ratios with the 390 Adventure, and compared to the 390 Duke features a larger rear sprocket, which is up by three teeth. The result is a bike that feels responsive even in slow, technical terrain, without straying too far from its road-bike roots in terms of efficiency. 

With its 9-litre fuel tank, the 390 Enduro R offers a usable real-world range of just over 200km, which is decent for dual-sport duties. For a motorcycle built to tackle tough trails, these numbers show that it doesn’t mind taking the long way home.

Autocar India’s fuel-efficiency testing

Our fuel-efficiency testing routine starts by first brimming the tank and ensuring the bike is running the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressures. The bike is then ridden on fixed city and highway routes, where we maintain average speeds that best mimic real-world scenarios, as well as keeping speed limits in mind. The payload on the bikes is kept constant by balancing rider weights and ballast, ensuring consistency across different vehicles and riders. At the end of the test cycle, the fuel tank is once again filled to the brim, giving us an accurate figure of how much fuel has been consumed against the trip meter reading.

Also see: KTM 390 Enduro R review: compromised but still capable enough?

KTM 390 Adventure fuel economy tested, explained