2025 KTM 390 Enduro R

A real 21st century trail bike?

For 2025 KTM is coming to us with not one but three new Travel series 390s. The first to be properly revealed is this, the 390 Enduro R (plus a 125cc sibling – ideal for provisional licence holders). To follow will be two Adventure models but, for many UK trail riders, this looks to be the model to get us really excited.

What is immediately obvious is that this is a trail bike, not an enduro (despite the name), nor an adventure bike. It’s definitely not an EXC with full road kit. It’s a package designed for road and trail, with specification to suit. What does that mean? In short:

New Euro 5+ motor, the 399cc LC4c, as already seen in the new Duke models with 10,000km (6000 mile) service intervals, valve clearances at 20,000km (12,000 miles). Good for 44hp – so like the previous 390 motor, there’s plenty of pep.
No-nonsense catalytic converter equipped exhaust to meet the most stringent noise and emissions regulations (so leave alone please, for the good of trail riding).
Trellis frame design – built for road and trail, not for racing. You can see there’s comfort in that saddle and in the ergos, hopefully it’ll be good for a long day’s riding.
WP Apex suspension with 230mm (not 300mm as on EXCs) travel. That allows a real world seat height of 890mm with foot-to-floor for most – and easier ‘paddling’ through trickier lanes!
Proper TFT instrument panel (appropriately sized for the model i.e. smallish) with connectivity etc.
Road appropriate braking system, with 285mm front disc and radial-mounted brake caliper, with multi-setting ABS.
A 9-litre fuel tank. Nice and small, but it should have decent enough range for trail riding given Euro 5+ pleasing frugality (just like Honda’s CRF 300 L). If longer distances are going to be your thing, look for the Adventure model.
Claimed weight 159kg (‘Ready to Race’ in KTM-speak – to which we add fuel, say +9-kilos, so 168kg fully fuelled)

The KTM 390 Enduro R looks like a shoe-in for green roads riding. It’s competition for Suzuki’s DR-Z4S. Both are a performance step up from Honda’s CRF 300 L, while still being A2 licence appropriate – something a lot of trail riders have been looking for.

The biggest news here? The price! How does £5699 grab you? (£4899 for the 125) This is crazy competitive. Bear in mind the pricing on the outgoing 2024 KTM 390 Adventure SW was £6999 base price, albeit discounted to £5625 through KTM’s model clearance programme. Sibling marque CF Moto’s 450MT is also £5699. Meanwhile Honda’s outgoing 2023 Honda CRF 300 L was priced at £5829 with no confirmation yet on price for the 2025-spec replacement. This is certainly throwing down the gauntlet and it’s going to be a challenge to Suzuki to get anywhere near that price when it launches the DR-Z4S.

Availability? According to KTM UK the new 125 and 390 Enduro Rs will be in the dealers from March. So get your orders in sharpish!

Here’s KTM’s rundown on the spec:

BODYWORK AND GRAPHICS

The KTM 390 ENDURO R and KTM 125 ENDURO R boast a slim and compact profile thanks to a compact nine-litre metal fuel tank and small off-road-focused fairings. These not only reduce overall width, but they also provide a level of fuel tank protection while optimising rider ergonomics when standing on the pegs.

The 2025 KTM 125 ENDURO R and KTM 390 ENDURO R feature a completely new, offroad-inspired styling, with a clear and definitive KTM design set in resilient in-mold graphics.

SUSPENSION AND CHASSIS

A new two-piece steel trellis frame design is based on the Gen Three platform shared with the DUKE models but features a different steering head angle, triple clamps with 25 mm handlebar risers, subframe mounts and rigidity profile, specifically engineered for off-road use with improved handling, control and stability.

The new frame is also designed for greater clearance for the radiator package and to accommodate a bigger 21-inch wheel, with the footpeg mounting position optimised for offroad riding.

SUBFRAME

The new subframe sports a sleek, offroad-inspired bolt-on steel trellis design. This unique design contributes to a strong and sturdy build and the subframe was specifically crafted to offer a one-piece seat while having long-stroke suspension, as well as being stylish, functional and thoughtfully designed for purpose.

SWINGARM

The new offroad-ready, gravity die-cast swingarm has been specifically developed for the KTM 125 ENDURO and KTM 390 ENDURO R models.

ENGINE

Both KTM ENDURO R models are powered by a new generation of lightweight and compact small single cylinder engines dubbed the LC4c, which debuted in the 2024 KTM DUKE range.

Building off the experience gained with the previous generation of small single-cylinder engines, these powerplants are completely redesigned, with newly optimised cylinder heads and gearboxes adhering to EURO 5+ compliance.

This new engine platform introduces updated service intervals, with the first service required at 1,000km, followed by a regular service every 10,00 km thereafter. Valve checks are performed every 20,000km.

CYLINDER HEAD

This new LC4c powerplant features a larger valve cover with a smaller cylinder head, reducing the weight at the upper end of the engine. A new thermostat position – mounted directly into the cylinder head – improves thermal monitoring and provides more stable running temperatures under different riding conditions.

FUEL INJECTION

New injectors are now angled directly into the inlet valves to reduce build-up in the inlet channel. These new injectors also provide a finer fuel spray, making for more efficient combustion and less emissions.

NEW AIRBOX

A new airbox has been specifically optimised to suit the KTM ENDURO R. This allows the engine to sit higher, increasing ground clearance and allowing a more offroad focused rider triangle.

EXHAUST

A unique stainless steel exhaust design means the system fitted to the KTM 390 ENDURO R and KTM 125 ENDURO R does not need an end muffler, resulting in a total weight saving of two kilograms.

The new exhaust is equipped with a Double Catalyzer to comply with Euro 5+ regulations and features active control whereby the ECU not only adjusts the fuel mixture for optimal detonation but also adjusts the mixture to ensure an optimal temperature to reduce emissions. The active combustion system also works to detect any misfires, helping to diagnose the status of the catalytic converter and store information for OBDII diagnosis.

GEARBOX AND CLUTCH

Improved gear guidance, achieved by replacing the previous five mm guides with six mm guides at the fork pins and implementing other small optimisations, reduces shift forces within the gearbox.

The shift drum shape has been optimised for easier shifting between the fifth and sixth gears, making for smoother movements of the gears along the shafts. The shift lever travel is reduced, resulting in quicker and more responsive action.

A Power Assisted Slipper Clutch is now installed on all models, with optimised gears on the clutch basket and flywheel to reduce weight and make for easier clutch control. An optional Quickshifter+ system is also available.

TECH

Setting the benchmark in the smaller displacement dual-sport segment, the 2025 KTM 125 ENDURO R andKTM 390 ENDURO R boast real-world technological advancements that not only enhance the riding experience but also safety.

NEW DASHBOARD

The ENDURO R range comes with a new 4.2-inch TFT dashboard with a unique User Interface (UI) specially designed for the compact screen size. A USB C port is fitted as standard.

Made from bonded glass, the TFT also features a polarisation coating to reduce glare and improve visibility in bright light environments. This ensures riders can quickly and easily see all relevant information such as speed, fuel level and gear indicator.

The new dashboards are supported by completely redesigned switchgear featuring a four-way Joystick with optimised ergonomics and illuminated switches. These allow riders to control various functions of the motorcycle such as lights, indicators, ride modes and to interact with different connectivity features.

The new switch cubes have an integrated and dedicated ABS-off switch.

A new connectivity unit connects the motorcycle to the rider’s smartphone via Bluetooth. It enables the rider to access features such as turn-by-turn navigation, music library directly from the dashboard, call in and out, and Remote Control Mode, which allows the rider to control their phone via the switch cubes.

RIDE MODES

The KTM 390 ENDURO R features selectable ride modes. OFFROAD mode allows riders more rear wheel slip, making it easier to lift the front wheel over obstacles or slide the rear wheel when needed. The default setting is STREET MODE, calibrated for optimum use in general street riding.

For riders looking for even more control, Motorcycle Traction Control (MTC) can also be turned off.

A new memory feature is added to the 2025 line-up. When the motorcycle is turned off, it remembers your selected Ride Mode and retains this mode upon restart.

All KTM ENDURO R models are fitted with a Bosch 10.3MB Modulator, delivering dual channel ABS.

The KTM 125 ENDURO R has no selectable ride modes.

LED LIGHTS

Both models in the 2025range feature LED lights, providing excellent visibility during the day and illumination at night.

KTM POWERPARTS

To further enhance the new 2025 KTM ENDURO R range, a comprehensive range of KTM PowerParts is available, specifically engineered to provide performance, style, protection and comfort to the KTM ENDURO R range.

KTM POWERWEAR

The latest collection is developed with the ENDURO R rider in mind. Its bold design allows it to stand out from the crowd, while providing comfort and protection both on and offroad.