Motorcycle specifications KTM390 SMC R 2025 From the wild or the bend where I engage

The SM can start gently, but you'll soon want to go further, slap the road a few times and let the rear wheel take control of the drift. You'll need a bit of skill and the right tool for the job. That's what the 390 SMC R is all about - a supermotard in the A2 straight line, with a dose of power that's accessible to all, and not sad.

The right dose of Supermot'?

KTM finally makes its SMs more accessible. A 125 and a 400 arrive on the scene at the same time. As with the little Duke models (close cousins), our two saltimbanques share the same sporty, punchy physique. The 390 has a more assertive feel to it, thanks to its livelier decor and spoked rims. All that's missing is a pair of handguards, and it would have been perfect.

The bike seems impatient. You'd think its mono was kicking it in the gut before it even started. It uses the 398 cm3 block from the RC 390, Duke and Adventure, recently upgraded in anticipation of the switch to Euro5+. With it, this SMC R sends out 45 horsepower at 8,500 rpm, and is able to produce just over 4 mkg of torque. That's when the fun starts, and you can go wild without restraint, as long as you keep your traj' and your angle (and your civic-mindedness).

While the 125 leaves virtually no room for electronics, the 390 has a pricklier heart. It wakes up with 2 driving modes, including Street, which is set up by default. But switch to Sport to see for yourself, to tease the beast a little and deactivate traction control. This will also allow you to play with the ABS, which can act normally in Road mode, or toggle between Supermoto and Supermoto+ functions. Preventing anti-lock braking on the rear wheel means you can do a whole lot more twisting and turning.

The young SMC R models feature a brand-new 4.2-inch TFT speedo, in a smallish format. Readable and austere, it looks simplistic; but start fiddling with the control pad and you'll discover that it'll gladly take on the task of controlling your calls, your music and your turn-by-turn itineraries, as long as you hook it up to your smartphone. Via Bluetooth. And if you need to recharge the thing, there's a USB port on the left-hand side.

The part-cycle wants to be shaken up

In true Supermot fashion, the 390 SMC R is equipped with long-travel suspension. The 43 mm WP inverted fork and monoshock both boast 230 mm of travel. A substantial value, the drawback of which is a seat height of 860 mm. Riding enthusiasts will be able to adjust the compression and rebound damping on the front, with small knobs rotating through 30 clicks of adjustment. For the rear, 20 clicks are available, but only for rebound. Compression adjustment is absent, but preload is available.

The suspension is attached to a tubular steel trellis frame, taken from the Duke and reworked for steering column and rigidity. The aluminum swingarm and rear frame are completely different from those on the roadster. As for the wheels, they have a sporty feel, with a 17-inch size and Michelin Power 6 tyres.
As for braking, the SMC R's 154 kg of weight will be held in check by a large 320 mm disc with a 2-piston radial Bybre caliper. Not very glamorous, but the By Brembo calipers have proved their effectiveness on many of the Group's models.

KTM's Supermotard range has been around for a number of years, with some not-so-democratic models. The 690 SMC R tries to be versatile, but its use is limited, bordering on exclusive. For the 450 SMR, it's simpler: exclusive and radical. So why not open up the experience to more people, with softer yet still distinctive machines? The 125 can get the ball rolling, while the 390 SMC R leads the way. The new Suzuki DR-Z4SM has just found someone to talk to.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos