KTM has partnered with former British Enduro Champion, Alex Snow and is now collaborating to run RIDE KTM events with Alex Snow Off-Road. John Marcar attended a taster day to experience riding a selection of new KTMs on a range of roads and green lanes.

I've officially got the Off-Road bug.

Last week, I wrote about my first-ever proper off-road riding experience with Zero Motorcycles. The relevance of that morning's ride with Zero would prove quite beneficial, as less than a week later, I found myself en route to Northern Somerset for more of the same. Only this time, the bikes would be larger, petrol-powered, and the riding would be a significant level up in challenge.

The bikes I'd been invited to ride, both on and off-road, in Somerset and Devon, included the latest KTM 390 Adventure R, KTM 390 Enduro R, and the larger-capacity KTM 790 Adventure.

All bikes are brand new to KTM and feature the very latest in tech, hardware and features that KTM customers have come to love both on and off the beaten track for many decades.

Alex Snow Off-Road

Hosting me and a collection of other riders was Alex Snow, a former British Enduro Champion, famed for his ability to throw bikes down muddy tracks at a pace that most people wouldn't dare attempt on tarmac.

Alex has drawn on his many years of experience and assembled a small team of riders to form the brand Alex Snow Off-Road, and KTM has partnered with Alex through its RIDE KTM division. The collaboration gives riders of all experience levels the chance to experience the best of new KTM products and receive top-tier guidance and tuition from Alex and his team in one of the UK's most breathtaking counties.

On a condensed program that would typically span two days, Alex led me and 9 others on his Exmoor Explore Tour. The curated tour takes in a mixture of scenic roads, breathtaking coastal views and cuts through idyllic villages. In addition to the tarmac roads, greenlanes are also explored, which host a variety of surfaces from loose rock and gravel through to mud and revines. As a rookie, the going is challenging, but Alex and his team are on hand to offer pointers, tips, and guidance on how to deal with each environment.

Can a Total Rookie Take Part?

Yes, and proof of that concept is me. Before kitting up for Alex's Exmoor Explore taster day, my number of off-road riding hours could have been counted on just one hand, and I made my reservations clear to Alex and his team. They all immediately put my mind at ease. "We'll keep an eye on your riding, and if we need to make adjustments or give pointers, we will."

Enduro Basic Training

If you are apprehensive about the event and would like introductory 1-2-1 tuition before the ride, a basic skills training day may be a better place to start. I felt confident enough in my bike control and handling ability to have a crack at it, and fortunately, the KTM models I'd be riding would make the task feel reassuringly easy.

Discovering a love for mud and a hatred for rocks

The Exmoor Explore tour uses a selection of public roads, byways open to all traffic, and some private green lanes, many of which are part of the Lillycombe Estate. Many of the lanes and land on the estate are privately owned, which is a great benefit, as, other than the very occasional walker or farmer, you're unlikely to encounter any other traffic.

I grew to love the dusty and muddy lanes, many of which had the occasional slippery puddle. The Mitas enduro tyres fitted to all the bikes dug in and gripped through the mud, providing plenty of confidence in the corners and when braking. The more challenging surfaces consisted of larger loose rocks, some of which were the size of grapefruits. Hitting one or two in quick succession, especially mid-corner, gives a whole new sense of physics and a considerable challenge to bike control, but fortunately, the pace is yours to set, so when I was struggling with the terrain, I was able to scrub speed without inconveniencing the rest of the group.

Mastering the basics on grass with the 390s

From the initial technical lanes, we ventured onto a grass route, which offered a whole new riding experience and a different set of requirements for bike control. It can be easy to get carried away on grass, as the surface looks smooth and hazard-free from afar. But the challenges are there, including dips, ravines, gullies, and the occasional unexpected jump that seems to come out of nowhere to offer 'an attention-sharpening moment'. This is where I got the most out of the 390 Enduro and Adventure R models.

The KTM 390 Platform

I decided to ride both 390 bikes back-to-back. Both offer the same power, a very similar weight, and use the same engine: a single-cylinder 4-stroke 399cc unit which produces 44 hp (45 PS) and 39 Nm of peak torque. Both bikes also have a 6-speed gearbox which can be operated with a quickshifter.

KTM 390 Enduro R

The Enduro, with its wider handlebars and narrower frame, is designed to navigate more challenging conditions. The 390 Enduro R is very easy to balance, and thanks to its slimmer body, lets you keep an eye on the front wheel on slower, more technical terrain. The Enduro R is the lighter of the two, thanks to the lesser fairings, weighing 165 KGs (fully fuelled). Prices for the 390 Enduro R start at £5,699 (OTR).

KTM 390 Adventure R

On the adventure R, the setup is more focused on riders commuting to and from the adventure. A wider front fairing improves aerodynamics, and the slightly more relaxed handlebars allow a more comfortable ride on the road. The single-cylinder 390 engine is surprisingly smooth and will happily work its way up to 60mph and beyond without straining the powertrain.

At 6'1 / 186 cm, I found the seating position very comfortable; however, the aero screen didn't offer much protection, so taller riders may wish to either extend or swap out the screen if commutes at higher speeds are frequent.

Both on and off road, the 390 Adventure R feels very light at just 11 kilos more than the Enduro (176 KG fully fuelled). The 390 Adventure R is priced from £6,199 (OTR).

The suspension on both models is fully adjustable, with manual adjustments available for compression and rebound. All bikes had been set up ahead of the ride by Alex and his team, and both models soaked up sizable bumps and undulations without any fuss. The 390s feel brilliantly composed at both slow and high speeds and give a reassuring sense of confidence when standing up or sitting down.

A Pause for Some Pointers on Grass

At the grass stage, we paused for a drink and a snack to compare notes. Alex and his team used the time to answer any questions about technique and offer some tips ahead of some more challenging routes in the afternoon. I had questions about which gear to ride in, assuming 2nd was best for overall control. The reality, as Alex had advised, was that 3rd gear was the better all-round choice. The higher gear allowed for a more comfortable throttle balance and more low-end torque on some of the tougher, more technical routes. In practice, despite the often marginally greater speeds, it worked a treat.

After the grass ride, it was time to tackle a few more hills and cross a river - something I'd never consider attempting myself if it wasn't for the leadership of the team. "Look ahead, go steady on the throttle, and you'll be fine!" was the call of advice. I made it in with a splash and out the other side with a considerable sigh of relief - others weren't so lucky, slipping on the rocks and losing their balance. Two bikes that went down and got away undamaged. As for the riders, aside from getting a bootful of water, they also came away unharmed.

My first 'off'

On a particularly steep uphill lane, I encountered a combination of loose twigs, large rocks, and a rugged surface eroded by rainfall into deep ravines that easily swallowed the depth of my front tyre. Whilst battling the surface, my inexperience took its toll, and after a wobble that seemed to last around 20 seconds, I reached the limits of my control and took a tumble. Fortunately for me, to the left of the trail, waiting to catch me and put a stop to anything too dramatic was a large grass verge around 4 feet high. It was onto this verge that the bike ended up being propped, and onto which I landed.

After a moment to gather thoughts, assess for damage and enjoy some much-deserved 'Superman' references at my expense from friendly fellow rider and writer Al Fagen (thanks again, Al), I hopped straight back on to tackle the rest of the climb.

It can be easy to overthink an incident like this, but the best practice is to hop back on and get on with it. And I did. The rest of the morning was approached with slightly more caution, but no less excitement.

During a lunch break on the Lillycombe estate, we had the opportunity to compare notes, share aches, and discuss our achievements and accolades so far. In the afternoon, I'd be hopping onto the larger 790 Adventure, with a slightly more road-focused route and the occasional technical green lane.

KTM 790 Adventure

The 790 is a fantastic bit of kit, and aside from the obvious increase in engine displacement, the bike's frame and fairing feel reassuringly larger too.

Powering the 790 Adventure is KTM's 799cc parallel-twin engine, which produces 94 hp (95 PS) and 79 Nm of torque. The power delivery is reassuringly punchy without being too brutal for the more challenging surfaces. Like its smaller 390 Adventure sibling, the aero doesn't do a lot for the taller rider, but the wider fairings provide more protection for the body and legs.

The 790 Adventure is a clear size up from the smaller models and feels all the better for it. The seat height is adjustable between 840 and 860 cm, and the model weighs 203 kg (fuelled). The 790 Adventure is priced from £8,999 (OTR).

For the first stage of the afternoon road route, we were taken down narrow single-track lanes. With the bike still in off-road mode since the morning, I noticed that the rear ABS was disabled, and the traction control was set to minimum. Fortunately, changing the rider modes and settings on the fly is simple on a KTM, so I was able to quickly switch back to 'street', which provides the reassurance of road-focused traction control and ABS settings.

Riding the 790 Adventure on the road is a joyous experience; the punchy twin-cylinder engine zips its way through the rev range and torque band. The model's quick shifter provides a smooth click up through the gears and back down again on the approach to corners, resulting in a very comfortable riding experience at all speeds.

The afternoon routes cut through some stunning scenery at a considerably greater pace, and the 790 proved to be the perfect choice.

Alex Snow Off-Road Tour Prices

The Exmoor Explore tour I'd sampled for the day typically spans two days, and for £699pp, riders can rock up, hop on a bike, get fed, watered, and have a lovely bed for the night, without any other costs to consider. With the exception of crash helmets, kit can also be borrowed if needed.

Shorter one-day events can also be enjoyed for £325pp, including everything detailed on the two-day ride, except for the accommodation.

If you are looking for a complete beginner's approach, Alex Snow Off-Road also offers a basic skills training day from £325pp for groups or £499pp for individual 1-2-1 training.

The value is the seat time

What made the Alex Snow Off-Road tour so special for me was the seat time. Alex and his team's approach of "have a go and ask for help" was refreshing, and, provided you're willing to learn from the occasional mistake, it is a great method for improving your riding whilst having a huge amount of fun.

The best freebie of the day is the scenery and surrounding roads of Somerset and Devon. The rolling hills, coastal views and gloriously green valleys made the experience entirely unforgettable.

To find out more about the events from Alex Snow - See Here.

words by John Marcar
Photography by Chippywood.pix on behalf of KTM UK

FEATURE | Exmoor Explore Tour with Alex Snow Off-Road and RIDE KTM