KTM 390 SMC R: The Last Word in Light-Weight Supermoto for Thrill Seekers Comfortable

For raw excitement on two wheels, few motorcycles provide the adventure and quick handling of a supermoto. In 2025, KTM ignited the streets with the introduction of the all-new KTM 390 SMC R, a bike that couples light weight with race-bred technology. For carving corners, slithering through urban roads, or taking on twisty back roads, the KTM 390 SMC R is designed to deliver unforgettable rides.
This blog delves deep into all you want to know about the KTM 390 SMC R — design and engine details to ride quality, features, safety, and where it stands in the Indian and international markets. Let’s throttle into the details.

1. What is the KTM 390 SMC R?

The KTM 390 SMC R is a light supermoto bike based on KTM’s performance-oriented 390 platform. It is made for riders who are hungry for agility, control, and wheelie-popping torque. The bike is specifically designed for both track and street riding.
KTM has its read-to-race DNA, and the 390 SMC R fits the bill. It draws inspiration from the mythical KTM 690 SMC R but models it in a more practical, entry-level, and street-legal bike that guarantees an uncompromised raw, thrilling ride.

2. Design and Styling: Pure Supermoto Aggression

As soon as you lay eyes on the KTM 390 SMC R, you recognize it’s no ordinary street bike. Its high ground clearance, thin body, and aggressive attitude make it appear poised for sideways action straight off the showroom floor.

Key Design Features:

Aggressive bodywork with iconic KTM orange, black, and white motif.
High-mounted front fender and stripped-down LED headlight for dirt bike styling.

• Flat, wide handlebar for ultimate control.
• Slender seat assembly and rear section for handling.
• 17-inch rims shod in grippy road-oriented rubber.

This bike is not about comfort—it’s about function. All that you see has been designed around weight, balance, and performance.

3. Engine and Performance: Spunky Power in a Light Frame

At the core of the KTM 390 SMC R is KTM’s tried-and-tested 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine—the same unit used in the Duke 390 and RC 390 but fine-tuned for supermoto performance.

Engine Specifications:

• Engine: 373cc single-cylinder, 4-stroke, DOHC
• Power Output: Approx. 44 hp @ 9,000 rpm
• Torque: 37 Nm @ 7,000 rpm
• Gearbox: 6-speed with quickshifter (up and down)
• Top Speed: 170 km/h (approx.)

What sets the KTM 390 SMC R apart isn’t necessarily the power—it’s how it produces it. Owing to its light weight and supermoto-tuned setup, this bike provides instant throttle response and explosive acceleration, ideal for slides, wheelies, and exiting corners tightly.

4. Chassis, Suspension, and Handling: Built to Slide

One of the most confident things about the KTM 390 SMC R is its razor-sharp handling. The motorcycle is constructed on a lightweight steel trellis frame with an extended swingarm and compact wheelbase, providing it with unparalleled flickability.
Suspension Setup:

• Front: WP Apex 43 mm USD fork, fully adjustable
• Rear: WP Apex monoshock, preload and rebound adjustable
• Travel: Long travel suspension for battling undulating surfaces

The long-travel suspension not only absorbs road bumps but also gives the ground clearance and damping required for jumps and stunts.

Brakes and Tires:

• Brakes: 320mm front disc with radially mounted caliper, 230mm rear disc
• ABS: Dual-channel with Supermoto mode (rear ABS can be turned off)
• Tires: 17-inch tubeless sticky tires for street grip

With its light chassis and properly sorted suspension, the KTM 390 SMC R is as much fun to ride as a kid’s toy. It loves twisty roads, tight city corners, and short-track racing.

5. Electronics and Features: Simplicity with Modern Touches

The KTM 390 SMC R does not overload you with advanced electronics. It keeps only features that add to the ride without spoiling the raw thrill.
Highlight Features:

• Supermoto ABS: Disables rear ABS for slide control.
• Quickshifter+: Clutchless up shifts and down shifts.
• Slipper clutch: Keeps rear wheel from locking under hard downshifting.
• Full-color TFT display: Identical to the new 390 Duke.
• Bluetooth connectivity: Music, calls, and navigation (through KTM My Ride app)
• LED lighting all around for visibility and style.

It may not have traction control and ride modes, but its stripped-back nature is deliberate—returning control to the rider and making it the perfect machine for learning bike control the old-fashioned way.

6. Who is the KTM 390 SMC R For?

The KTM 390 SMC R is no ordinary commuter. It’s not designed for long highway cruises or pillion comfort. This is the bike for:
Urban stunters

• Weekend racers
• Track day addicts
• Supermoto enthusiasts
• Intermediate riders moving from 150–250cc machines

Its agility, light weight, and involving ride make it ideal for individuals who enjoy corners, curbs, and choreographed mayhem.

7. Launch Schedule and Pricing in India

Whereas the KTM 390 SMC R has already been introduced in international markets such as Europe, it should enter India by late 2025 or early 2026. The 390 Duke and RC 390 have already found success with KTM India, so a supermoto option will complete the range well.
Expected Price in India:

• ₹3.60 – ₹3.90 lakh (ex-showroom)

Although slightly more expensive than the Duke 390, the KTM 390 SMC R warrants the premium due to its purpose-built chassis, long-travel suspension, and unique features.

8. Alternatives and Competitors

In India, the KTM 390 SMC R will face minimal direct competition, as supermotos are a niche segment. Nonetheless, the following alternatives in the same price range are available:

None of them actually match the KTM 390 SMC R in the supermoto class, providing KTM with a first-mover position in India.

9. Maintenance and Ownership Experience

A KTM comes with regular maintenance, particularly for performance products like the 390 series. The KTM 390 SMC R is low-maintenance at relatively low costs, but being a single-cylinder machine, it luxuriates on frequent oil changes, chain adjustments, and clutch attention.
Service Interval:

• Every 5,000 km for basic service
• Authorized KTM service centers available across India
• Spare part availability: Good due to shared engine with Duke/RC 390

Its fuel efficiency is expected to be around 28–32 km/l, which is acceptable for a performance-focused motorcycle.

10. Final Verdict: Why the KTM 390 SMC R is Worth the Hype

The KTM 390 SMC R is not merely another bike—it’s a tool for city playgrounds and narrow circuits. It provides a welcome respite from the standard batch of sportbikes and ADVs. Its supermoto nature injects playfulness back into motorcycling and instructs genuine on-road bike handling.

Pros:

• Madly enjoyable to ride
• Lightweight and easy to flick
• Supermoto ABS and quickshifter
• High-performance WP suspension
• Uniquely its class

Cons:

• Not ideal for touring long distances
• Restricted pillion comfort
• Aspirational premium pricing

If you desire a bike to make every trip thrilling, one that converts regular commutes into a rush of adrenaline, and one which inspires you to carve into corners and wheelie-pop — the KTM 390 SMC R is for you.