KTM Reveals 2025 125 and 390 SMC R Supermotos
For those looking for small-capacity, lightweight thrills the new 125 or 390 SMC R could be just the ticket
KTM is spicing up the A1 and A2 segments in 2025, as the 125 and 390 SMC R arrive to entice the thrill-seekers!
Ducati may have had a hand in firing some of the interest in the supermoto category in 2024, with the launch of the Hypermotard 698 Mono, but it’s the old hand in the segment that is really opening up the supermoto sector to the masses this year.
Two new bikes will be sliding into the market in 2025, the CBT-friendly 125 SMC R and the A2 licence-compatible 390 SMC R. Both bikes feature a tubular frame, 17-inch wheels, and a single-cylinder engine providing the push. The frame of both bikes is related to the one found on the smaller capacity Duke models, although with a revised steering head angle, rigidity profile, triple clamps, and subframe mounts. The component sharing continues with the swingarm, as the banana-shaped item found on both models is the same as is found on the latest generation small-capacity Adventure range.
The front suspension on both bikes comes from WP, with a 43 mm WP APEX open cartridge front fork. The 390 SMC R features compression and rebound adjustability. As with the front end, the rear suspension of both comes from WP, with the 390 gaining adjustable rebound (20 clicks) while preload can be adjusted manually. Both bikes boast 230mm of travel at both ends, while the suspension of the 125 SMC R is non-adjustable except for spring preload at the rear.
As mentioned, both machines arrive with 17-inch wheels, opening up access to a host of appropriately sporty rubber. The 125, though, gains slightly less blingy cast wheels, which are overshadowed by the 390’s sexy looking spoked items. Linked to the wheels are 320mm discs which are acted on by a ByBre four-piston caliper. The brakes are linked to a Bosch 2-channel ABS, which includes Supermoto or Supermoto+ settings to choose from.
Other electronics come in the form of selectable riding modes but only on the 390 SMC R. These cover Street and Sport, with the latter giving the rider the chance to turn off the traction control system altogether. The interface of both versions of the SMC R comes in the form of a 4.2-inch optically-bonded TFT which is finished with a special polarization coating to help reduce glare. The TFT brings with it connectivity functions, such as music via the KTM Connect App, calls, and turn-by-turn navigation, should the rider be using a Bluetooth headset. Joining the TFT is updated switchgear, including a four-way joystick, that is backlit on both machines.
Both the 125 and 390 SMC R utilise the new LC4c single-cylinder engine as is found in the latest-spec small-capacity Duke models, and if you are wondering what the ‘c’ stands for, it’s compact. Each engine is a redesigned version of the previous 125 and 390 units, with a new cylinder head, gearbox, airbox, and exhaust landing highlighting the changes. The KTM press release for both the SMC Rs doesn’t disclose any tech specs of the engine, although it’s not likely that either will produce widely different numbers than their naked siblings. That means the 125 should be getting 14.7bhp (bang on the legal limit) and 8.4lb ft of torque, while the 390 should have around 44.2bhp and 28lb ft of peak twist.
Both new bikes will be hitting showroom floors in the UK in March 2025, with the KTM 125 SMC R costing £4,899 while the 390 SMC R will cost £5,699.
More information can be found on the official website.
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Simon (AKA Toad) has been working within the motorcycle industry for more than twelve years, and a member of the motorcyclist family since birth. Growing up around British-built single and twins, it was inevitable that a life on two wheels was on the cards, from a very early age!
