KTM 390 Adventure R And KTM 390 SMC R Coming To India?

Quick Highlights

• KTM could launch the 390 Adventure R & 390 SMC R in India

• This will happen only if there’s ample demand for the bikes 

• Both models are currently manufactured by the brand at Bajaj’s facility in Chakan, Maharashtra

KTM might just launch the KTM 390 Adventure R and the KTM 390 SMC R in India. The brand has revealed that they will be gauging customer demand via its dealership network in the upcoming months. If there is enough demand, the brand will homologate the bikes in India, making it possible for interested customers to order both via KTM dealerships.

If and when KTM decides to launch these bikes, they will be available only on an order basis. Essentially, the dealerships won’t have ready stocks of the bike. Once they have a booking/purchase of the bike from a customer, they will request a unit from the manufacturer for delivery. Since both the models will be manufactured in India, we reckon there shouldn’t be a lot of delay between order and delivery. KTM will most likely take models from their export production line to fulfil the Indian demand. 

As the 390 Adventure R is based on the KTM 390 Adventure and the KTM 390 SMC R is based on the KTM 390 Enduro R, it should be easy for KTM India to homologate the bikes in India. The 390 Enduro R will be coming to India by the end of March or in April according to the brand.

We are quite happy that KTM is planning to launch these bikes in India. The 390 Adventure R will be more souped-up as compared to the standard 390 Adventure.  The Adventure R offers longer travel suspension at both ends, with 230mm travel on both ends. The 390 Adventure gets 200mm suspension travel at the front and 205mm travel at the rear.

The 390 Adventure R also has a ground clearance of 270mm, which is 33mm more than the 390 Adventure. That said, the R has a seat height of 870mm (40mm more than the standard 390 Adventure), which should be quite tall for most Indian riders. 

The KTM 390 SMC R will be India’s first entry-level supermoto bike, and is based on the KTM 390 Enduro R. The 390 SMC R could likely be the bike which finally brings the supermoto craze to India. Supermoto is an American racing format, where riders race on tarmac, a motocross-style track, and a flat track. So overall, a supermoto bike is made with versatility in mind.

Overall, we are quite excited to see both the bikes in India and hope KTM does bring them, even if it is just on-demand basis. The 390 Adventure R will be the ideal bike for those who are looking for a more off-road-capable adventure bike. Whereas the 390 SMC R will be an ideal for those who are looking to get into supermoto riding or just looking for a bike which can do it all.