KTM 390 SMC R Spotted On Test Prior To EICMA 2024 Unveil

EICMA 2024 is going to be a banger for KTM as not only will it show off its next-gen big capacity mean machines, but also the second-generation of the 390 Adventure family. However, one of the derivatives of this family is the one we are super keen to check out but know in the heart of hearts that it might not see the light of day in India. Yep, we are talking about the 390 SMC R that is slated for an EICMA 2024 unveil and the prototype test mule of the bike has been spotted doing the rounds in Europe.

We were one of the first to report that KTM was working on three trims of the upcoming 390 Adventure with the supermoto treatment finally filtering down to the 390s. And boy does the test bike live up to the tag. It gets a proper supermoto brash unfiltered look with the dirt bike styling cues making it all the more recognisable. You then get that flat seat like a motocrosser, which is very likely to be super tall enough to scare the bejesus out of many.

The concept of a supermoto is simple: a dirt bike for the road or maybe even a naked on stilts. Hence, the 390 SMC R is using the similar chassis and swingarm components as the 390 Adventure and not the Duke. Even the subframe is made from tubular steel, which is likely to be a modified version of the upcoming Adventure’s and not a cast aluminium unit like the Duke.

Plus, the suspension units also seem to be of the long-travel and adjustable kind. Where it will differ from the Adventure and will be similar to the Duke can be seen in the image, as the test rider hoists the bike in the air: the wheel assembly. The lightweight 17-inch alloys will come wrapped in road ready tyres.

We can expect the same gamut of electronic rider aids like lean-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, bi-directional quickshifter and riding modes to be present on the SMC R. It looks like it is using the same new colour TFT screen like the new gen 390 Duke as well as the refreshed 200 Duke.

Well, as much as the thought of the 390 SMC R whets our appetite, our understanding is that the 390 SMC R is not going to be sold in India. While we are going to bring you all the finer details of the bike from the show floors of Milan, as well as all the dope on Royal Enfield’s upcoming 650s and the other 390s, the 390 SMC R will remain a dream for Indian enthusiasts for now. Hope there’s someone in Akurdi or Chakan listening and helps make this dream a reality.

Image credits: Motorrad Magazin