KTM has been on the headlines of countless automotive and motorcycle publications recently, and it hasn’t exactly been all good. But it hasn’t been all bad, either, with Team Orange taking the win at the 2025 Dakar Rally, but nevertheless, one word has been associated with KTM the most recently, and that word is none other than “insolvency.”
Indeed, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, not just for KTM themselves, but for its die-hard fans—especially after a period of rapid growth. Some may have even thought that KTM would become untouchable in the global motorcycle industry.
But alas, here we are, and things aren’t exactly looking great for the Austrian manufacturer. Nevertheless, KTM is adamant on pushing forward. In fact, it’s acting as if nothing’s even wrong to begin with. Not too long ago, we talked about the “new” 790 Duke. This time around, KTM has pulled the covers off a truly new bike—one I’ve been fantasizing about for years: the 390 SMC-R.
But in order to dig deeper into this machine, we’re gonna have to set aside the corporate drama at KTM for a second—because no matter how you look at it, this new bike is a legit head-turner.
The 390 SMC-R is KTM’s first attempt to make its hooligan supermotos a bit more accessible to us mere mortals. Tipping the scales at just 154 kilograms (338.8 pounds), it’s lighter than the 390 Duke and ready to raise hell with its sharp stance, slim profile, and teeny weeny nine-liter fuel tank. Yeah, nine liters—because who needs range when you’re too busy ripping around corners, popping wheelies, and pulling off stoppies?
At its core is the same 399cc thumper found in the Duke, pumping out 46 horsepower and 39 Nm (29 pound-feet) of torque. That might not sound like much on paper, but trust me, in a bike this lightweight and agile, it’s more than enough to make you grin like an idiot. Throw in some premium WP APEX suspension with a whopping 230mm of travel, as well as some Michelin Power 6 tires on 17-inch wheels, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a riot.
Over on the tech side, KTM didn’t skimp, either. A 4.2-inch TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity, three riding modes (Rain, Street, and Race), and dual-channel ABS with a supermoto mode come as standard. That last bit is the real treat here, as it means sliding the rear end out for dramatic drifts is pretty much encouraged.
But here’s the thing: while the 390 SMC-R is undoubtedly exciting, and a bike I’d absolutely love to have sitting in my garage, I can’t help but wonder if it’s too little, too late.
KTM’s financial situation didn’t happen overnight; it took months, if not years, of mismanagement and poor decision making to put them where they are now. And looking back, had the brand pushed this bike—along with the recently introduced 390 Enduro R—into production earlier, maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be in such dire straits now.
After all, KTM built its name on lightweight, adrenaline-pumping machines like these. It’s just that somewhere along the way, it seems the brand forgot what really mattered.
So, will the 390 SMC-R be KTM’s saving grace? I sure hope so. It’s an exciting, grin-inducing reminder of what Team Orange can do when it focuses on what it’s good at. But for now, only time will tell if this machine can drive KTM out of its financial rut—or if it’s simply the last hoorah before the end of the road.
Source: KTM
