Key highlights
- KTM 390 SMC R spied in production-ready form
- The 399cc model is unlikely to launch in India due to GST rates
- KTM is working on a downsized 350cc platform
While KTM was all set to launch the 390 SMC R in India, the revised GST 2.0 rates spoiled the party for the Austrian brand. However, the latest spotting of a production-guise test mule of the SMC R has raised our eyebrows. Check out what KTM is cooking with the SMC R test motorcycle below.
Also read: Royal Enfield Continental GT 750 spied testing globally
A smaller KTM 390 SMC R in the making?
As seen in the latest spy images, the SMC R test mule is visible in a production guise with painted body panels and all bells and whistles, including the digital console and more. Not long ago, KTM confirmed that it is working on the 390 SMC R, which will be launched in India later due to high demand.
However, this plan was later spoiled by the revised GST 2.0 rates, which have changed the entire course of the 399cc platform. The brand has decided to shift towards a smaller 350cc platform, which is essentially a small-bore version of the current 399cc engine. This engine will replace the current 399cc platform by the first half of 2026 in India, thus dropping the prices by a massive amount.
Therefore, the possibility of this test mule being a 350cc model is high. KTM has already begun testing this engine, and it will offer a linear power delivery with improved riding experience and higher fuel economy. The same engine will also replace the Triumph’s 400cc lineup.
Speaking of the SMC R, it uses 17-inch alloy wheels instead of the 19-inch/18-inch setup of the Enduro R. The SMC R is essentially a supermoto platform, which has been designed to offer better handling for flattrack racing, supermoto events, and motocross events.
