KTM’ s 390 SMC-R is a supermoto in the truest sense of the word … tall, slim, light and unapologetically playful. It takes the performance and accessibility of KTM’ s 390 platform, adds 17-inch wheels, some supermoto-focused chassis tuning and an attitude that practically begs you to attack every corner. The result is one of those motorcycles that can make an ordinary trip feel like an event, even if it is a bit naughty.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS The 390 SMC-R looks unmistakably KTM. The colourway, the sharp bodywork, aggressive stance and minimal visual mass immediately tell you this isn’ t a conventional commuter. The riding position is tall and upright, with a wide handlebar that gives the rider enormous leverage. It feels narrow between the legs, which is exactly what you want on a supermoto. Moving your weight around the motorcycle feels natural, and the bike seems to respond to even small inputs. It doesn’ t take long before you start thinking about finding a twisty road.
At the centre of the SMC-R is KTM’ s 399cc single-cylinder engine. At a smidge under 400cc, it’ s not trying to deliver superbikestyle acceleration. Instead, it has a strong combination of punch, responsiveness and usable performance, wrapped up in a relatively lightweight package. And it has character. Roll on the throttle and the bike responds immediately, building speed rapidly enough to keep things interesting without being intimidating. In town, the engine’ s compact nature makes filtering and traffic manoeuvres easy. And once out of the city, the 390 starts to show its personality. Keep the engine spinning and it rewards an enthusiastic riding style. The gearbox complements the engine well, with shorter ratios making the bike feel eager, particularly when accelerating out of corners.
58 KIWI RIDER