KTM adopts one usual, revealing two lower capacity monocilinear supermotos, designed to exploit the Hooligan A1 and A2 market.
The £5699 390 SMC R and £4899 125 SMC R are set to arrive in UK dealers from March 2025, borrowing the firm’s Euro5+ compliant 399cc and 124.9cc LC4c engines already found in the £5699 390 Duke and £4899 125 Duke.
These motors have been tickled for the new pairing, with a new airbox allowing the engine to sit higher, increase ground clearance, and make the riding position more involving. A further 2kg is said to have been saved with a new stainless steel exhaust system, and there’s a slipper clutch as standard – plus optional quickshifter.
The new SMC RS joins the already well-established 690 SMC R to shape a new circle of three-fold Supermoto relatives by 2025. Like the rest of KTM and Husqvarna’s 125 and 390 offerings, they will be produced in India through Bajaj Auto, which has partnered with KTM since 2007.
Although now only officially released, the duo first made the impression as pre-production models at the Eicma Fair last November in Milan along an enduro diversity of the same specific and a new 390 R adventure. R.
Like the Dukes, the 390 and 125 superbikes feature almost a chassis and bike portions, larger of the two gaining more tuning if necessary.
They travel with 17 -inch skewed wheels (110/70 × 17 and 150/60 × 17), and are dressed in a classic SM style, including a single lighthouse, a high front fender and a minimalist enduro frame that incorporates a liter of nine liters tank of steel in front of the flat bank.
“Supermotos and endurors are very similar, and the main difference is, of course, the duration of the wheels,” said product marketing director Diete Engelbrecht in MCN in Milan Show, last year. “The driving position and the handlebar have also replaced slightly, as well as in the seat, for more in this supermotard -oriented cyclist. “
Alongside the engine, the two-piece steel trellis chassis is also taken and updated from the Duke family – with a new steering head angle, triple clamps, subframe mounts, and rigidity. There’s also better clearance for the radiator, plus a new footpeg location for supermoto lean angles.
This is combined with a metal mesh sub-frame bolted to the seat in one piece, with the fundamental swingarm also locating its origins in the newest generation of 390 adventure models.
The similarities end with theirs, the two SMC RS also treated with front forks open upside down 43 mm with 230 mm of travel. The same point of movement is on the sleek, rear-end of a Monoshock WP.
However, when the 125’s front forks are adjusted, the 390 receives five clicks of compression and rebound alteration, which can be done without the use of tools. The models also get a rear preload adjustment, though, but the 390 takes it an extra step with 20 bounce steps.
You can also have bicycles through their wheels: the 390 obtaining a set of shelves, wrapped in Michelin Power 6s and the distribution of 125 SHOD with rubber produced through the Indian brand, MRF.
Sticking in this area of the bike, both models get a 320mm single front disc and four-piston radial caliper, plus a 240mm rotor and single piston caliper on the back.
Despite the A1 and A2 markets, the new Superbikes unload a giant dose of generation by 2025, adding full LED lighting, a TFT sprint of a slim 4. 2-inch throw navigation.
Both models get two-channel Bosch ABS too, with optional levels of intervention, and the larger 390 SMC R receives riding modes including ‘Sport’ and ‘Street’.
In game mode, the traction control can be absolutely disabled (not that you want it with 44 hp) and the bike will not forget your personal tastes for the next hike.
For a functionality and taste points, consumers can also load on their bicycle with a long list of optional “powerparts” extras.
Despite the fact that the company continues to solicit new investments and is expected to enter the creditor of the moment upon learning of its 90-day “self-management” plan on January 24, 2025.
KTM officially entered this restructuring process on November 29, 2024 – impacting a reported 3623 employees (at the time), with total liabilities estimated at around €2.9 billion and around 2500 creditors, across three separate insolvencies.