Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1538363
2025 KTM 390 SMC R ($5499) ENGINE LC4c single-cylinder, 4-stroke COOLING SYSTEM Liquid VALVETRAIN 4-valve, DOHC DISPLACEMENT 398.7cc BORE X STROKE 89.0 x 64.0mm POWER (CLAIMED) 44.2 hp @ 8500 rpm TORQUE (CLAIMED) 28.8 lb-ft at 7000 rpm COMPRESSION RATIO 12.6:1 TRANSMISSION/FINAL DRIVE 6-speed/ chain FUEL SYSTEM Bosch EFI w/ 46mm throttle body; ride-by-wire ENGINE MANAGEMENT Bosch EMS with ride-by-wire CLUTCH PASC slipper clutch, mechanically operated FRAME Steel trellis SUBFRAME Bolt on steel trellis frame FRONT SUSPENSION 43mm WP Apex, com- pression and rebound damping adjustable REAR SUSPENSION WP Apex monoshock, fully adjustable FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 9.05 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 9.05 in. FRONT BRAKE 4-piston radial-mount caliper, 320mm disc w/ ABS REAR BRAKE Single-piston floating caliper, 240mm disc w/ ABS FRONT WHEEL Wire spoke, 17 x 2.00 in. REAR WHEEL Wire spoke, 17 x 4.00 in. FRONT TIRE Michelin Power 6 110/70-17 in. REAR TIRE Michelin Power 6 150/60-17 in. RAKE 26.9° WHEELBASE 57.2 in. SEAT HEIGHT 33.8 in. FUEL CAPACITY 2.4 gal. WET WEIGHT (NO FUEL, CLAIMED) 339.5 lbs. P114 RIDE REVIEW I 2025 KTM 390 SMC R good for short periods, but I probably wouldn't be taking this for a three-day mission to Laguna Seca to watch Mo- toAmerica any time soon. One surprising aspect of the 390's arsenal is how good the single four-piston caliper/320mm disc combina - tion is. There's good feel at the lever and plenty of stopping power, so two-finger stoppies are well and truly on the cards, and yes, that's despite the fact you have ABS on the front you can't switch off. KTM's arrival in the small- capacity supermoto stakes means Suzuki finally has a competitor for their DR-Z4SM that's just been renewed for 2025. However, maybe it doesn't, considering the Suzuki costs nearly 40 percent more than the KTM at $8999. Therefore, as I look deep into my road tester crystal ball, I'd be amazed if KTM doesn't sell tons of these things at the very attractive $5499 price. That's a hell of a lot of bike for the money, and it comes laden with KTM's angry attitude that goes so well with the growing pains we all go through be - tween the ages of 16 and 20. That's not to say anyone outside that age bracket can't enjoy the SMC R. I'm 43 and would love it as a funky little beach cruiser or shop steed, but I think KTM should be squarely focused on using this steed to lure young and impressionable riders into the fold. It's an extremely fun and capable motorcycle, perfect for infecting the next generation. CN the scales at 352 pounds with a full 3.57-gallon gas tank. That mainly comes down to more exotic materials used in the 690's construction, which goes some way to explain why the 690 costs 2.3 times the price of the 390. Despite the weight, the little 390 is plenty agile in the twisty stuff. Graced with a 30-click compression and rebound-adjustable WP Apex 43mm fork and a preload and rebound-adjustable WP Apex Split Piston shock, the 390 rolls on Michelin Power 6 rub - ber that runs a 110 front tire as opposed to the regular 120. This allows the front to turn extremely quickly but doesn't sacrifice corner stability. On the racetrack, the Mi - chelins are good but not great. These are a street tire and are extremely stiff, so if (like me) you're used to sticky slicks on a supermoto, you're best to be reminded just what the demo - graphic of this bike is. Have fun, just remember, it's a street bike, not a race bike. The suspension offers 9.05 inches of ground clearance front and rear in true dirt bike style, both ends sprung quite softly to ensure good bump ab - sorption that should work well for anyone doing a mad rush through DTLA's potholed-to-hell roads on their way to work. The seat height of 33.8 inches may prove a bit of an obstacle for shorter riders, but for those five-foot-eight and up, you should have no wor - ries. Given this is essentially a dirt bike, seat comfort is pretty