The R turns the 390 into a proper off-road contender, with long travel and full-size wheels, let down only by a seat height that takes some getting used to. Rider ability, terrain, weather and tyre choice still move the real answer more than the bike alone does.
Four separate scores, not one blended number, so you can see what's actually driving it.
Beginner friendliness
4/5
Road usability
2/5
Technical off-road capability
4/5
Green-lane suitability
4/5
Full specs
Price (new, OTR)£6,999
Engine399cc
Power45hp
Torque39Nm
Weight (wet)176kg
Seat height870mm
Fuel tank14L
Real-world range~215 mi
Economy~70 mpg
Wheels (f/r)21" / 18"
Ground clearance272mm
Suspension travel (f/r)230mm / 230mm
ABSYes
Traction controlYes
Ride modesYes
Service interval9,300 miles
Licence requiredA2
What we actually found
Owners report that the R specification transforms the 390 into a genuine off-road contender. Riders praise the combination of 21"/18" spoked wheels, long-travel WP suspension, and 272mm ground clearance over rough ground. The punchy 45hp single provides strong overtaking pace on tarmac links, though owners mention that slow, trials-style hill crawls require active clutch slipping due to its high-revving nature.
Pros for green laning
Proper 21"/18" spoked wheels: equipped with full-size off-road wheel dimensions that allow fitment of genuine knobby enduro tyres for wet mud and clay lanes.
WP suspension setup: high-spec WP XPLOR suspension provides 230mm of travel front and rear with 272mm ground clearance to clear deep rocks, roots, and steps.
Punchy single-cylinder engine: the 399cc engine delivers 45hp and 39Nm of torque, providing eager low-to-mid punch that easily outpaces smaller 250/300 singles on open tracks.
Advanced electronics suite: features lean-sensitive traction control (with dedicated Offroad mode) and Offroad ABS (disabling the rear wheel) via intuitive handlebar switchgear.
Cons and limitations
Weight over true dual-sports: at roughly 176kg wet, it is significantly heavier to pick up repeatedly from muddy ruts than a dedicated trail single like a CRF300L or KLX300.
Tall 870mm seat: combined with a wider stand-over width than a pure enduro bike, it can make flat-foot dabbing in off-camber ruts tricky for shorter riders.
Firm, rally-style seat: the stock seat profile is firm, making prolonged road transits between distant lane networks tiring without aftermarket padding.
High-revving engine character: the engine makes its best power higher up the rev range, requiring more active clutch slipping during ultra-slow, technical trials-style crawling.
Based on manufacturer specifications and independent motorcycle press reviews.
Remember: a rank here assumes reasonable stock tyres and a competent rider in decent conditions. The right tyres, or the wrong weather, can move a lane from easy to genuinely hard regardless of what bike you're on. Check a lane's own difficulty and hazards on the map before you go, don't rely on a bike score alone.
Find where to actually ride it
Browse legal green lanes and byways across England and Wales, filtered by difficulty, on Holloway's map.
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