Ormotors builds KTM 390 Adventure Scrambler…
In 2013, the KTM 390 Duke hit the market as a welterweight version of the beloved Duke, packing a 44-hp single-cylinder engine and WP suspension. There was nothing else quite like it at the time, and testers applauded its light weight, liveliness, and build quality:
“As a machine that’s easy to ride yet with plenty of fun on offer, it has virtually no competition.” –MCN
Of course, it wasn’t long before the world started to wonder what KTM — long-time masters of off-road competition — could do with a more dirt-oriented version of the platform. However, it wasn’t until 2020 that the 390 Adventure finally hit showrooms:
“Seven years, several spy shots and countless premature headlines later, the 390 Adventure finally arrived, complete with a spec sheet capable of delivering and more than a passing resemblance to it’s mud-plugging bigger brothers…” –MCN
The 390 Adventure has longer suspension travel — 170mm front / 177mm rear — and a larger 19-inch front wheel for rolling over obstacles. So it’s got some off-road bones, but the styling is more Transformers than dirt bike…
That’s where our friend Orion Porta of France’s OrMotors comes in. Orion spent three decades building custom motorcycles before opening his Royal Enfield dealership outside Paris, and he still keeps his hands dirty with custom builds like the 865cc Enfield café racer we featured a couple months ago.
This KTM 390 Scrambler was built for a new customer, Alain, who rode his 2021 KTM 390 Adventure for about 1000 kilometers before bringing it to Orion for customization. While he liked the bike’s off-road behavior, he wanted more of a scrambler than mini adventure bike.
Orion was happy to oblige. He says the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 tank inspired the design — for our money, one of the best modern tanks out there, oozing retro appeal. But adapting the Enfield tank the KTM was no easy feat, especially since Orion and crew built an inlay to house the KTM’s stock LCD instrument panel inside the tank — trick!
Other highlights include the new rear subframe, new spoke wheels, seat, handlebar, lighting, custom exhaust, and more. If we were the boffs at KTM, we’d certainly take notice of the 390 scrambler, which shows what more could be done with the platform.
Below, we talk to Orion for more details on the build. Thanks goes out to Vibrations for the shots!
KTM 390 Adventure Scrambler: Builder Interview
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
I’ve been a Royal Enfield dealer near Paris for the past three years. After 30 years of building customs, I decided to become professional.
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
KTM 390 Adventure 2021, new.
• Why was this bike built?
Alain, a new customer, came to see me. He tried this bike and he liked the off-road behaviour.
He wanted to have a scrambler with this bike. He rode the first 1000 kilometers and he came in to my shop for the transformation.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
The Royal Enfield tank inspired the general design.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
We have made the rear frame, new spoke wheels, seat, handlebar for a better position for off road riding, work on the lighting, exhaust is hand made, and the most complicated, the tank.
We preserved the outside tank of a Royal Enfield tank Continental GT 650cc, and built a new tank inside and the place for the screen.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
“Mud Ripper”. It’s inspired by the 4×4 off-road tyres.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
I think we have cut 20 kilos.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It’s really a bike with capacity for off road riding. We have two pairs of wheels, one for the road and one for off road.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
It’s a big project, big transformation. One year to imagine, create, and build this new bike.
We are very proud of the change before / after.
Follow the Builder
Web: Ormotors.fr
Instagram: @OrMotors
Facebook: OrMotors
Photo credit: @v_brations
If you ever need someone to ride it for you let me know.I would definitely ride it
Pretty cool; I especially like the display inside the tank. However, I question the significant loss of front suspension travel.
Display in tank looks fine. We’ll be seeing that in the future.
May i know what wheel hubs were used? Were there any conversions if it came from another bike (ie. EXC)