2025 KTM 390 SMC R – First Look
While the drama continues in the executive suites of Pierer Mobility, it’s still business as usual at KTM, with the announcement of two small-displacement supermoto models in the 125 and 390 SMC R. We’re only getting the 390 SMC R in North America, so we’ll focus on that model here.
KTM actually displayed both SMC R models at EICMA, but didn’t have much to say about them until now. As you would guess, the 390 SMC R is based on the same platform as the 390 Duke. The engine is a 399cc liquid-cooled Single claiming the same 44 horsepower at 8,500 rpm and 28.8 lb-ft. at 7,000 rpm as the Duke. The engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission, with a PASC slipper clutch.
The chassis is also based on the latest Duke’s with a two-piece steel trellis frame, but with a different steering head angle, subframe mounts, rigidity profile, and triple clamps. KTM says the changes were made to improve handling, control and stability.
The 390 SMC R comes with two ride modes, the default Street mode and Sport with a snappier throttle response. KTM made no mention of a Rain mode, which the 390 Duke has, but that seems to be the plan for its supermoto models, as the larger 690 SMC R also lacks a Rain mode. Traction control comes standard, though it can be disabled if desired.
The front wheel is equipped with a single 320mm disc and ByBre radial-mount two-piston caliper. The rear brake is a ByBre single-piston caliper with a 240mm disc. ByBre’s parent company, Brembo supplies the 10.3MB Modulator dual-channel ABS. When riding in Sport mode, riders unlock the choice of three ABS settings. Road mode offers regular ABS optimized for street use, Supermoto mode turns off rear wheel ABS, and Supermoto+ mode allows the rear wheel to lock briefly to help slide around corners.
The 390 SMC R comes with a 43mm WP APEX separate piston inverted fork with toolless adjustments to compression and rebound. The WP APEX rear shock absorber is offset and directly mounted to the swingarm, a design choice shared with the other 390 models to make room for the exhaust system. The rear shock offers 20 clicks of on-the-fly rebound adjustability, though preload adjustments will require a tool. Both front and rear suspension offer 9.1 inches of travel.
Other features include a 4.2-inch TFT display, 17-inch wheels, Michelin Power 6 tires, a 33.9-inch seat height and a claimed weight of 340 pounds, though that’s with its 2.4-gallon fuel tank empty.
KTM says the 390 SMC R will arrive in showrooms in early 2025. U.S. pricing begins at $5,499.
2025 KTM 390 SMC R Specifications | |
|---|---|
Engine Type | Single-cylinder, 4-stroke (EURO 5+) |
Displacement | 398.7cc |
Bore x Stroke | 89 / 64mm |
Power | 44 Horsepower @ 8,500rpm |
Torque | 28.8 lb-ft. @ 7,000rpm |
Compression Ratio | 12.6 : 1 |
Transmission | 6 gears |
Fuel System | Bosch EFI (electronic throttle body 46mm) |
Control | 4 V/DOHC |
Cooling | Liquid cooling |
Clutch | PASC slipper clutch, mechanically operated |
Engine Management | Bosch EMS with RBW |
Frame | Steel trellis frame, powder coated |
Subframe | Bolt on steel trellis frame, powder coated |
Handlebar | Aluminum |
Front Suspension | WP APEX open cartridge 43mm, Compression and Rebound adjustable - 30 Clicks; 9.1 inches of travel |
Rear Suspension | WP APEX Split Piston, Preload and Rebound adjustable - 20 Clicks; 9.1 inches of travel |
Front Brake | 320mm floating disk, Bybre radial calipers with 2 pistons |
Rear Brake | 240mm disc, Bybre floating caliper 1 piston |
Front Wheel | 17 inch spoke wheel |
Rear Wheel | 17 inch spoke wheel |
Front Tire | 110 / 70 R17 MRF |
Rear Tire | 150 / 60 R17 MRF |
Wheel Base | 57.2 inches |
Seat Height | 33.9 inches |
Tank Capacity | 2.4 gallons |
Weight | 340 pounds (claimed, without fuel) |
2025 KTM 390 SMC R – First Look Gallery
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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An unreliable engine from a company that is on the verge of collapse and all for the same price as a Kawasaki Z500. No thanks. I'll take the Z500 instead. Or any other supermoto on the face of the planet if you want to stick to sumos.
Gotta give props to KTM for producing an emissions and noise legal 40 horsepower 390. For some reason this kind of power from a stock engine completely eludes Japan in this segment, I wager the 4S will continue that tradition based on lots of history and the peashooter size of it's exhaust outlet.
What I wanna know is what the 4S will do with a Yoshimura full exhaust, ECU flash/tune and what it's transmission ratio spread is like. Will a 4S make at least as much power as a stock KTM 390 after those easy external mods or will it need more like a pair of Hotcams and a big bore kit?
A modded 4S could be a cool urban hooligan unit / dual sport, and you know it will be totally solid on the reliability front. The suspension and exhaust routing on the Suzuki looks better, I dislike the bolted to the swingarm rear shock, underslung exhaust setup on the KTM.