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KTM is turning up the heat in 2025, bringing serious excitement to the A1 and A2 license classes with the arrival of the 125 and 390 SMC R – tailor-made for adrenaline junkies!
Sure, Ducati sparked some interest in supermotos last year with their Hypermotard 698 Mono, but this year, it’s KTM—the seasoned pro in the game—that’s truly making the supermoto scene more accessible and thrilling for everyone
KTM is gearing up to slide two exciting new bikes into the market in 2025: the CBT-friendly 125 SMC R and the A2-licence-ready 390 SMC R. Both machines are built for fun, featuring a tubular frame, 17-inch wheels, and a punchy single-cylinder engine at their core.
Their frames draw inspiration from the smaller-capacity Duke models but come with key tweaks, including a revised steering head angle, enhanced rigidity profile, updated triple clamps, and redesigned subframe mounts to suit their supermoto DNA. Even the swingarm carries a familiar lineage, with the banana-shaped design borrowed straight from KTM’s latest small-capacity Adventure lineup.
The suspension setup on both the 125 and 390 SMC R comes courtesy of WP, ensuring top-notch handling and comfort. Up front, you’ll find a 43 mm WP APEX open cartridge fork, with the 390 SMC R offering adjustability for both compression and rebound.
At the rear, the WP suspension continues to impress. The 390 SMC R features adjustable rebound damping (20 clicks) and manual preload adjustment, while the 125 SMC R keeps things straightforward with non-adjustable suspension, apart from spring preload at the rear. Both bikes deliver a generous 230 mm of travel at each end, promising a smooth and responsive ride on a variety of terrains.
The 390 Swingarm will be shared with the 125
Both the 125 and 390 SMC R roll on 17-inch wheels, ready to accommodate a wide range of sporty tires for maximum grip and performance. The 125 gets practical cast wheels, while the 390 steps it up with eye-catching spoked rims that add to its premium feel.
Stopping power is provided by a robust setup: 320mm discs paired with ByBre four-piston calipers for precise braking performance. Both bikes are equipped with Bosch 2-channel ABS, offering Supermoto and Supermoto+ modes to let you fine-tune your braking control for those sideways slides or aggressive corner entries.
The 390 SMC R steps up the electronics game with selectable riding modes—Street and Sport. Sport mode even lets you fully disable the traction control system, giving thrill-seekers the freedom to push the limits.
Both the 125 and 390 SMC R feature a sleek 4.2-inch optically bonded TFT display, designed with a polarization coating to minimize glare for crystal-clear visibility. The TFT screen also offers connectivity perks via the KTM Connect App, including music controls, calls, and turn-by-turn navigation when paired with a Bluetooth headset.
Complementing the TFT is updated, backlit switchgear with an intuitive four-way joystick, making it easy to navigate settings and stay focused on the ride.
KTM 390 SMC R
Powering both the 125 and 390 SMC R is KTM’s new LC4c single-cylinder engine, the same compact powerhouse found in the latest-generation small-capacity Duke models. The "c" stands for compact, highlighting the engine's slimmed-down design. These updated engines feature a redesigned cylinder head, gearbox, airbox, and exhaust, marking a significant evolution from their predecessors.
While KTM hasn’t shared detailed specs for the SMC R models yet, their performance is expected to closely match the Duke variants. This means the 125 SMC R will likely deliver the maximum legal output of 14.7bhp and 8.4lb-ft of torque, while the 390 SMC R should pack a punch with around 44.2bhp and 28lb-ft of torque.
Both models are set to hit UK showrooms in March 2025, with the 125 SMC R priced at £4,899 and the 390 SMC R coming in at £5,699—a tempting offer for supermoto fans!
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