The Bike That Turns A Boring Commute Into The Best Part Of The Day
Commuting on a motorcycle has an air of unpredictability. One minute you’re loving life in the local twisties with good music in your Sena, and the other you are stuck in a mile-long traffic jam or tackling under-construction dirt roads. That unpredictability can quickly take the joy of your commute and make it tiresome or boring.
This, in turn, brings even more importance to choosing the right commuter. A bike that keeps you entertained through the unpredictability and ensures the commute is the best part of the day after all the hard work you put in at the desk. A certain KTM hits the nail right on the head.
The Prerequisites Of A Fun Commuter Bike Are Hard To Balance
There are a few things that we expect from a commuter bike. Upright ergonomics with a comfortable saddle is one, so regular riding doesn’t become a pain in the backside. Or hurt your arms due to a cramped cockpit with a narrow handlebar.
Next is a frugal engine. This not only keeps regular riding costs low, but also means fewer fuel stops over the week. So if you’re running late, you can be confident that you’ll make it even if there’s only one bar left. At the same time, the engine is expected to have enough pep to take on freeways and city streets alike. An attainable MSRP and cheap spares are necessary as well.
While these are enough for a satisfactory commuter, a fun commuter needs a few extras. For instance, a fun commuter needs a powerful enough engine to enjoy occasional full-send stints through the local canyons. 40-50 horsepower is the sweet spot for fun while maintaining the efficiency side of things in our books.
During that full-send session, you would also need capable underpinnings. Good brakes, adjustable suspension, and sticky tires all ensure confidence-inspiring riding dynamics. Bonus points if the suspension has enough travel for flying through the above-mentioned under-construction bad stretches. Compile all that, and KTM’s baby supermoto comes out as the perfect weapon of choice.
The KTM 390 SMC R Checks All Fun Commuting Boxes
We’re talking about the KTM 390 SMC R. Right from the punchy single-cylinder engine to the adjustable WP suspension, everything is built with fun in mind. That means you can full send through your commutes and have a time of your life. Should you want to chill around, the electronics soften the otherwise edgy machine, and it will happily sit pretty, returning over 70 miles per gallon. All that at $6,049 is a steal, and if you can find the MY25 bike, you’ll further save $500.
No Entry-Level Supermoto Matches The 390 SMC R’s Package Today
If that’s not convincing enough, you should know that the baby SMC R trumps its rivals with ease. The Suzuki DR-Z4SM is way pricier, lacks a sixth gear, and is more simple in the tech side of things. Whereas, the Kawasaki KLX300SM simply can’t keep up in terms of performance or features, despite costing exactly the same as the KTM. On that note, here’s a lowdown on what the SMC R gets you for the moolah.
KTM’s Updated LC4C Engine Brings 44 Horsepower
Being part of KTM’s new LC4C range, the SMC R has the updated powerhouse. The displacement is right under 400cc (up from 373cc), with a compression ratio of 12.7:1. This, along with the larger airbox and new mapping, allows an output of 44 horsepower and 28.7 pound-feet. It’s the same output as its siblings like the 390 Duke, 390 Adventure, and 390 Enduro R.
You should have slightly more pep here, though, considering this is the lightest 390 on sale right now. Speaking of pep, I can confirm this engine is way more refined and tractable than the previous 373cc engine. There’s ample low-end punch for some fun, and you might even pop a power wheelie or two on whacking the throttle open in lower gears. The top three gears of the six-speed transmission have been kept longer for occasional freeway jaunts.
Premium Suspension And Chassis Enable Sharp Handling
Snappy handling has always been KTM’s USP and the 390 SMC R follows the same brief. A steel trellis chassis serves as the centerpiece, joined by a bolt-on subframe and aluminum swingarm. The subframe is different to the 390 Duke and borrowed from the 390 Enduro R dual-sport to follow the supermoto theme. KTM claims the idea of this subframe is to increase feedback on road and off-road alike while improving agility.
While at it, you’ll appreciate the premium suspension. 43 mm USD forks (beefiest in class) serve duty up top, along with a rear monoshock. Both come from WP and have adjustability (a rarity in this price bracket). Meanwhile, nine inches of travel is present so jumping around should be a cakewalk.
Topping things off is a set of sporty wheels and brakes. The former comprises 17-inch spoke wheels at each end, shod with sticky Michelin Power 6 tires. Whereas, the latter includes a 320 mm front disc and a 240 mm rear disc. These are identical to the revamped 390 Duke, and considering the SMC is slightly lighter, the braking performance should be simply overkill for the setup.
Tips The Scale At Over 350 Pounds
Speaking of lightness, the 390 SMC R tips the scales at 355 pounds. That is lighter than most naked bikes in class (including the Duke), but higher than a comparable 300-400cc supermoto from Japan. You get ample ground clearance at 10.6 inches, which does come at the cost of the seat height. 33.8 inches is the number–a sizable 1.6 inches higher than the Duke but still 1.2 inches less than the Suzuki DR-Z4SM.
A Tech-Savvy Feature List Lets You Enjoy Safely
All supermoto bikes in this space skimp on electronics. KTM goes the other way, arming its baby SMC with premium technology all over. A six-axis IMU and ride-by-wire work together to enable traction control, three ride modes, and cornering ABS. The latter has a Supermoto mode that disengages the rear ABS for sliding around with ease. A two-way quickshifter is standard in some markets but not in America.
Rounding off the premium experience is the cockpit. A 4.2-inch TFT is present, surrounded by high-quality backlit switchgear, a USB Type-C port, and adjustable levers. All-LED lights complete the package. A special shoutout also goes to the attention to detail. The tank has a brushed finish, the bodywork takes inspiration from the 690 SMC R, the footpegs have aluminum housings, and the livery has a beautiful dual-tone orange/white finish with purple accents.
Source: KTM USA
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