The New KTM 390 SMC R & 125 SMC R

If you read our recent piece on the KTM 690 SMC R, you’ll already know we’re big fans of bikes that exist purely to put a grin on your face and maybe even get you out of trouble (or land you in trouble, depending on your riding style 😉).

Now KTM have gone and done something very sensible (and very unsensible at the same time) by adding two brand new SMC R models to the line-up – the KTM 390 SMC R and KTM 125 SMC R.

The idea behind both bikes is simple – take the attitude, agility and fun-first riding style that makes the 690 SMC R so popular, and package it into a lighter, more affordable platform aimed at a broader audience.

These models arrived with us back in October, just as the weather turned miserable, so they’ve been quietly waiting in the showroom like coiled springs. The good news? We’ve got several of both models in stock right now, ready to go – or ready to be tucked away with a deposit if you’re holding out for that shiny March 26 plate.

Let’s clear something up straight away: these are not baby 690s. They follow the same Supermoto principle – light, aggressive, built to be ridden hard – but mechanically they’re a completely different platform. In fact, they share their bones with the 390 Enduro R, just reworked for the road with 17” wheels and Supermoto-specific suspension.

Think of them as the gateway to Supermoto life. Same attitude with a little less intimidation. These are bikes that feel purpose-built rather than compromised.

Underneath, the 125 SMC R and 390 SMC R are essentially the same bike, just with different engines and a few detail tweaks.

The 125 SMC R comes in at £4,899 and runs cast wheels to keep things affordable for younger riders (and their parents). It’s learner-friendly, sharp-looking, and perfect for anyone who wants something that’ll make the commute feel like a race stage.

The 390 SMC R, priced at £5,699, steps things up with a bigger engine and spoked wheels, giving it that slightly more premium, “don’t underestimate me” vibe. It’s ideal for riders who want proper performance without jumping straight into 690 territory – or spending £10,499 doing so.

Both bikes get Bluetooth connectivity as standard, so you can run navigation, take calls and pretend you’re being sensible, even if the front wheel keeps mysteriously getting light.

Both the 125 and 390 SMC R are built on KTM’s lightweight steel trellis frame, which is a huge part of why these bikes feel so alive underneath you. They’re narrow, flickable and ridiculously easy to throw around — perfect for filtering, back-road blasts and the odd “accidental” wheel lift.

For newer riders, that light weight builds confidence fast.

Despite being positioned as more affordable bikes, KTM haven’t cheaped out where it counts. Both models run WP suspension, tuned specifically for Supermoto riding rather than off-road work. This means the bikes are firm enough to stay planted when you’re pushing on, but still compliant enough to survive potholes, speed bumps and the general state of British tarmac.

Stopping power is another area where KTM have done things properly on these machines. You get Bybre brakes front and rear, with ABS as standard.

What the hell are Bybre brakes we hear you say?

Well, Bybre is Brembo's brand for performance braking systems designed for smaller capacity bikes, with the name meaning "By Brembo". It basically means you get the quality and rep of Brembo’s technology giving predictable and confidence-inspiring stopping power — exactly what you want when you’re riding something this playful.

If the 690 SMC R is for riders who already know exactly what they’re about, the 125 and 390 SMC R are for everyone else who wants in on the fun. New riders. Urban warriors. Weekend hoons. Riders who want maximum laughs per pound.

As our Street sales manager Garry Poynter puts it:

We’ve got both models in stock, ready to go now, or available to secure with a deposit if you’re waiting for March and a new 26 plate.

If reading about the new 690 SMC R got you thinking, these new, more affordable option bikes might just be the excuse you needed to jump in.

Contact us today for a showroom demo to get the full low down on these bundles of fun.