2025 KTM 390 SMC R Review: 11 Track and Street Fast Facts

August 21, 2025

“Those Europeans love their supermotos,” you’ve probably heard someone say. “They’re huge over there— massive grids, crazy races—and that Lukas Höllbacher guy? He rides like a maniac!” He really does. Most of us have heard these before, but what many people don’t know is that supermoto was invented in the USA.

Supermoto started as Superbikers—a made-for-TV race created for ABC’s Wide World of Sports and run at Carlsbad Raceway in Southern California. Superbikers gained popularity, and when some of the participating European racers returned home, they took the concept with them. With that, it exploded in popularity across the pond.

Unfortunately, supermoto’s popularity fizzled in the U.S. until the early 2000s, when the X Games gave it a much-needed revival. Today, while some MotoAmerica racers still hone their skills at local kart tracks, the general public hasn’t had many entry-level supermoto options. Yamaha offered the WR250X from 2008 to 2018. In 2009 and 2010, you had your choices of the Honda CRF230M and Kawasaki KLX250SF. Kawasaki has had the KLX230SM and KLX300SM in its current lineup for the last few years, and Suzuki has stayed loyal with the DR-Z4SM, this year’s upgrade from the long-running DR-Z400SM. While that sounds like a lot of bikes, they’re spread out over 17 years.

Now, KTM has entered the chat with the 2025 390 SMC R. It’s a street-legal supermoto aimed at entry-level riders, offered at an incredibly appealing price point. We tested it both on the streets and in the canyons around Temecula, and pushed it to its limits at Apex Motorsport Park in Lake Perris. Let’s get sideways!

The 2025 KTM 390 SMC R is attractively priced at $5499. For context, the 2008 Yamaha WR250X has an MSRP of $5999 ($8949, adjusted for inflation), and the new Suzuki DR-Z400SM sells for $8999. The 2026 KTM SMC R’s price undercuts the Kawasaki KLX230SM by $100 and the KLX300SM by $350. That makes KTM’s pricing a standout. The 390 SMC R may even sway new riders away from entry-level naked sportbikes like the Z500 ($5599) or Yamaha MT-03 ($4999).

At the heart of the 390 SMC R is KTM’s latest-generation LC4c single-cylinder engine. Producing peaks of 44 horsepower and 29 ft-lbs, the DOHC 399cc motor feels stronger than the numbers suggest, and we’re told it can make even more power with simple bolt-on mods. KTM kept the output modest to meet restricted license requirements in some markets. The horsepower peaks at just under 9000 rpm with 1500 rpm of overrev before hitting the limiter. On the street, The 390 pulls hard right up to legal speeds. On the track, corner exits feel a little soft initially, but pick up speed steadily down the straights.

The 2025 KTM 390 SMC R has a six-speed transmission designed for performance and economy. The first five gears have close ratios for performance, while 6th is longer for fuel efficiency and smoother freeway cruising. Shifts are crisp and smooth, and the clutch is easy to modulate—ideal for beginners. For $274, you can (and should) add KTM’s optional quickshifter, which allows seamless upshifts and downshifts. Our test bike had it installed, and we were dancing through the gears all day, keeping the motor in its broad sweet spot from 5000 to 9000 rpm. Even aggressive double or triple downshifts on the track are no problem.

At 354 pounds with the slim 2.4-gallon fuel tank filled, the 390 SMC R is nearly as heavy as its big brother, the 690 SMC R. KTM was upfront about not using some lightweight parts to keep costs down; at $12,999 for the 2025 edition of the 690, it’s priced $7500 higher than the 390. Fortunately, the weight isn’t noticeable in real-world riding. The higher engine placement helps with cornering clearance, giving 390 SMC R a light, flickable feel.

The chassis is based on the 390 Duke platform, with increased torsional rigidity for sharper cornering. Front-to-rear flexibility was preserved for comfort. That balance between aggression and rideability makes this a great all-rounder for both street and occasional track duty.

Ergonomically, the 2025 KTM 390 SMC R hits a sweet spot. The aggressive handlebars and upright seating triangle strike a nice balance between sporty and comfortable. With a 33.8-inch seat height, it’s accessible for shorter-inseam riders. The seat is based on the saddle used in KTM’s EXC Enduro line, but with better padding and width —a welcome modification for longer rides.

The WP Apex suspension is highly adjustable, and I took advantage of that. The fork gives you 30-click damping adjustability in both directions. The split-piston shock has 20 clicks for rebound damping, with the compression damping fixed. Spring-preload is reserved for the shock only. Out of the box, the suspension is soft for my 185-pound frame. However, it only took a few tweaks to dial it in nicely. With 9.1 inches of travel front and rear, the setup is ready for bigger jumps. On rough canyon roads, the generous wheel travel and quality damping handled potholes and bumps with ease.

Though ByBre is Brembo’s budget-oriented, small-bike imprint, there’s nothing cheap about these brakes. The 390 SMC R features a 320 mm front disc with a dual-piston caliper, and a 240 mm rear disc with a single-piston caliper. Feel and stopping power are excellent, inspiring real confidence both on the road and on track. Even after multiple sessions on the kart track, we experienced **no noticeable brake fade** — something rare for bikes in this price range.

The 390 SMC R sports Michelin Power 6 mounted on 17-inch wire-spoke wheels with aluminum rims. On the street, they warmed up quickly and offered solid grip. At the track, they performed fine until lean angles increased and the pace got hotter. At that point, edge grip became more limited. If you’re planning on doing supermoto track days, different rubber is in order. It’s worth noting that many kart tracks will let you ride for $50 or so for a day of tire abuse. It’s hard to beat that kind of fun-per-dollar ratio.

The 4.2-inch TFT dash is one of the best in the entry-level category. It is bright, easy to read, and intuitive to navigate with handlebar controls. The 390 SMC R offers two ride modes—Street and Sport—though the power difference between them is minimal. ABS has two settings as well—Standard and front-wheel-only Supermoto. The dash remembers your last settings on startup, which is a nice touch. Traction control can be disabled for racetrack antics; don’t forget to turn it back on before heading home. A powered USB-C port is included, and you can connect to the dash wirelessly for the usual array of capabilities.

The 2025 KTM 390 SMC R is a refined, well-balanced supermoto bike with a strong engine, optimized gearing, and a flawless quickshifter. It may not be the fastest bike on the road, but if you’re sticking to legal speeds, it’s guaranteed to put a grin on your face. With solid brakes, quality suspension, and user-friendly electronics, the 390 SMC R offers an impressive safety net for new riders. For those looking for an affordable motorcycle that’s equally at home commuting, carving canyons, or hitting the kart track, the 390 SMC R stands out as a top pick.

Photography by Simon Cudby

RIDING STYLE (track)

 Helmet: Alpinestars Supertech R10
 Suit: Alpinestars GP Force Lurv 1-Piece
 Gloves: Alpinestars GP Tech V2
Boots: Alpinestars SMX-6 V3

RIDING STYLE (road)  

Helmet: Alpinestars Supertech R10
 Jacket: Alpinestars
Gloves: Alpinestars GP Tech V2
Jeans: Alpinestars
Shoes: Alpinestars Chrome

2025 KTM 390 SMC R Specs

ENGINE

Type: LC4c single-cylinder
Displacement: 399cc
Bore x stroke: 89 x 64mm
Maximum power: 44 horsepower
Compression ratio: 12.6:1
Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 valves
Fueling: Bosch EFI w/ 46mm throttle body
Lubrication: Wet sump
Cooling: Liquid
Transmission: 6-speed
Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ assist and slipper functions
Final drive: 520 X-ring chain

CHASSIS

Frame and subframe: Powdercoated steel trellis
Swingarm: Gravity die-cast aluminum
Handlebars: Tapered aluminum
Front suspension; travel: Damping-adjustable WP Apex inverted 43mm open-cartridge fork; 9.1 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Cantilevered rebound-damping and spring-preload adjustable WP Apex Split Piston shock; 9.1 inches
Wheels: Wire-spoke w/ aluminum rims
Front: 17 x 2.00
Rear: 17 x 4.00
Tires: Michelin Power 6
Front: 110/70 x 17
Rear: 150/60 x 17
Front brake: 320mm disc w/ radially mounted Bybre 4-piston caliper
Rear brake: 240mm disc w/ single-piston caliper
ABS: Bosch 10.3 Modulator w/ Supermoto mode