2021 KTM 690 SMC R supermoto. Details and updates

RU-MOTO rating

• Reliability
• Chassis
• Appearance
• Comfort

4

Verdict

The KTM 690 SMC exhibits qualities that are not typical of many motorcycles. He could easily become the one to whom a pilot will come, who has already tried a taste of various technologies, but still has not found what he was looking for. It is difficult to fit such a device into a certain framework, and its main purpose is the birth of pure, sometimes wild and unbridled emotions.

A daring boy, a real hooligan without any concept of decency - this should be a brief description of the KTM 690 SMC motorcycle. Along the avenue on the rear wheel - it’s easy. Jumping curbs, driving up stairs, alarming grandmothers by flying past a quiet courtyard is not a problem. People often choose such a motorcycle after being fed up with the speed of a sportbike, the comfort of a tourist, or the splendor of a chrome-plated cruiser.

Motorcycle KTM 690 SMC

Lightweight, powerful, with an aggressive appearance, capable of attracting the attention of anyone. So we decided to turn our attention and take the Austrian copy apart.

2021 KTM 690 SMC R supermoto

Whether you're practicing slides on mountain tarmac or taking high-speed corners on a supermoto track, it will fill your veins with adrenaline and put a smile on your face. Thanks to the latest fully adjustable WP APEX suspension, the new 690 SMC R handles even better, leaving you with just your eyes on the road and full throttle!

2021 KTM 690 SMC R supermoto

Technical characteristics of the KTM 690 SMC

This motard is designed according to all the canons of the Austrian school of motorcycle construction - reliable, thoughtful, technologically advanced . The aforementioned single-cylinder LLC engine with 4 valves and 2 spark plugs produces 67 hp. and 68 Nm of torque , however, it doesn’t have much low end, and no high end either, but it drives very cheerfully and confidently from about 2000 to 8000 rpm , that is, almost throughout the entire range. The gear ratios in the gearbox are short, so you will have to change one of the six gears often. And since peak power occurs at 7,500 rpm and peak torque at 4,500 rpm, when overtaking you usually need to downshift several gears at once. However, the KTM 690 SMC endures this easily - it’s designed that way.

But on the plus side, the KTM 690 SMC has a dry weight of just over 140 kg , excellent handling, tenacious ABS brakes , energy-intensive suspensions and the ability to do whatever the motorcyclist wants. Crazy acceleration to a maximum speed that barely reaches 200 km/h? Easily. Emergency braking without the risk of skidding? Easy too. The KTM 690 SMC can easily leave a traffic light on its rear wheel, fit into the space between cars without slowing down, roll down the stairs and after a couple of seconds disappear in an unknown direction, filling the surrounding area with the roar of the exhaust. He is such a! The motorcycle also brakes very effectively; 320 mm and 240 mm discs coupled with Brembo calipers do their job. The KTM 690 SMC gas tank holds as much as 14 liters of fuel , and with measured driving it is consumed economically, about 4.5 liters per 100 km , but who rides this motorcycle at a measured pace? When driving aggressively, consumption can be safely multiplied by two.

Engine and exhaust

Air filter

Access to the air filter for replacement or maintenance has become as easy as possible thanks to the location of the filter housing under the seat. This makes working on the motorcycle simple and accessible for riders and mechanics of all skill levels.

Engine

The single-cylinder 690cc LC4 engine combines powerful acceleration from low revs, lively character, quick rev-to-rev and smooth, reliable performance. Another huge advantage of this engine is its efficiency, both in terms of fuel consumption and due to long service intervals of 10,000 km.

Cylinder head

The lightweight and compact cylinder head contains four valves and one camshaft located on top of the intake valves, and the secondary balance shaft is driven by a timing chain. The intake valves are driven by pushrods, and the exhaust valves are driven by rocker arms.

Resonator

The resonator chamber compensates for pulsations in the intake tract, making throttle response smoother and reducing vibrations.

Balancer shafts

Two balancer shafts, one in front of the crankshaft and one in the cylinder head, reduce vibration and provide a smoother ride.

Piston

The lightweight and durable forged piston is designed to reduce moving mass and thus improve engine response.

2021 KTM 690 SMC R supermoto

connecting rod

Connecting rod bearings reduce moving mass, helping the engine run smoother and more energized.

PRAVOVAYA STREET 2021 KTM 690 SMC-R & KTM 690 ENDURO R

2019 KTM 690 Enduro R.
KTM has announced that the all-new KTM 690 SMC R and KTM 690 Enduro R are set to hit the North American market in early spring 2019. Similar in many aspects but completely different in execution, both models take full advantage of an intensive development program that has seen changes from front to back. The latest-generation LC4 single-cylinder engine is housed in a lightweight, dynamic frame with the highest specification chassis components and the latest electronic riders to deliver an exceptional riding experience.

Similar in many aspects, but completely different in their execution, both models take full advantage of an intensive development program that has undergone changes from front to back. The latest-generation LC4 single-cylinder engine is housed in a lightweight, dynamic frame with the highest specification chassis components and the latest electronic riders to deliver an exceptional riding experience.

Both bikes feature the most powerful single-cylinder engine in production - smoother and more sophisticated than ever. Efficient engineering excellence, the latest compact LC4 is a thoroughly modern interpretation of the big single-cylinder engine. Two balancer shafts combined with a twin-spark cylinder head driven by wire technology leave only good vibrations. Engine 690 cc See Offers increased power with devastating impact; smoother than ever, with incredibly wide performance and now boasts Quickshifter+ for further refinement.

Electronic driving aids are now heavily featured on both motorcycles, with the addition of ride mode technology and lean angle-sensitive ABS and traction control systems to get the most out of these powerful packages in all situations.

KTM 690 SMC-R

2021 KTM 690 SMC R

The KTM 690 SMC-R's tapered bodywork isn't just for looks; Improved ergonomics improve feel and control between rider and machine to get the most out of this Supermoto superhero. The all-new, fully adjustable APEX suspension from the experts at WP also helps create a charismatic machine that can tackle the tightest corners and tackle congested commutes.

There are two riding modes - Street and Sport - along with ABS cornering, lean-angle motorcycle traction control and Quickshifter+. The KTM 690 SMC R is equipped with Bridgestone S21 tires for maximum street performance and plenty of grip.

KTM 690 ENDURO R

2019 KTM 690 ENDURO R
The KTM 690 Enduro R combines asphalt and trails like never before. The latest single-cylinder KTM LC4 features dual balancer shafts for vibration reduction, fly-by-wire for riding mode changes and traction control.

The new body design features an updated seat, improved aesthetics and improved ergonomics. The chassis is combined with fully adjustable WP XPLOR suspension and two new electronic systems - Offroad and Street. The KTM 690 Enduro R is equipped with Continental TKC80s for excellent performance in both dirt and on-road.

Both bikes will be available from official KTM dealers in early spring with a wide range of official KTM PowerParts to further improve them. Find out more at www.ktm.com and find a KTM dealer near you.

Clutch

The light-squeeze clutch with PASC (Power Assist Clutch) technology operates with light force due to the reduced engine torque transmitted to the clutch discs. The clutch's slip function prevents the rear wheel from locking up during aggressive downshifts, reducing the destabilizing effect of wheel spin when braking hard or slowing down to enter a corner.

Transmission

The smooth 6-speed transmission with bi-directional Quickshifter+ allows for quick, clutch-less upshifts and downshifts on the fly without throttle hitch, which is especially important in corners. This not only allows the rider to maintain greater control of the motorcycle, but also increases rear wheel traction.

Video Review

Specifications

Injector and ECU

The fuel injection system, controlled by the motorcycle's electronic 'brain', allows the engine to be perfectly adjusted to the riding conditions. The result is even more and more controllable power, reduced fuel consumption and emissions, as well as additional functionality such as MTC Traction Control, MSR Engine Brake Control and Quickshifter+. Selecting from two driving modes allows you to change the way the engine operates. The ignition system independently controls two different-sized spark plugs mounted in the cylinder head, providing more efficient fuel combustion and a smoother, more precisely controlled flame front at any rpm.

Slipper clutch

The clutch slip function eliminates the unpleasant jerking of the motorcycle due to the periodic loss of traction with the surface of the rear wheel. Exhaust system

Made from high quality stainless steel, the exhaust system runs as close to the bike as possible, providing a narrow profile optimized for hardcore off-road riding. The 2021 KTM 690 SMC R is additionally equipped with a new specification catalytic converter to meet Euro 5 emissions requirements.

Pros and cons of the KTM 690 SMC

Advantages

• Crazy acceleration dynamics , which are fully maintained up to 150-160 km/h.
• Extremely well thought out ergonomics . After riding this bike for just a day or two, you get used to it as if you’ve been riding it all your life.
• Excellent brakes , very effective, and already equipped with an ABS system as standard.
• Very good handling . True, in open spaces it is negatively affected by side winds, especially at high speeds.
• build quality is traditionally excellent. The quality of all components and spare parts is the same.

Flaws

• The motorcycle is difficult to maintain and expensive to maintain . Spark plugs, for example, are only suitable for original ones, and any original spare parts are traditionally expensive.
• High price . It's a KTM and that's it.
• When driving aggressively, it is advisable to change the oil not according to mileage, but according to engine hours, that is, really often.
• Due to the lightweight front end, the KTM 690 SMC can hit a small obstacle or road bump at high speed and catch a wobble.

Chassis

Gas tank

The 13.5-liter fuel tank of the KTM 690 SMC R is the load-bearing element of the chassis, making it stiffer and ensuring an optimal connection between the rider and the motorcycle.

Frame

The cage frame elements are made from lightweight, high-quality chrome-molybdenum steel tubing of variable thickness. This balanced design provides high torsional rigidity for superior handling, while carefully engineered longitudinal stiffness characteristics smooth out impact energy, helping the suspension reduce rider fatigue.

Stretcher

Tried and Reliable - The efficient use of the rear fuel tank as a structural element of the subframe ensures optimal weight distribution and a simple chassis design.

Pendulum

The swingarm design provides an optimal mounting point for the rear shock absorber, resulting in a high suspension arm ratio. The one-piece design of the pendulum is obviously devoid of discontinuities and weak points characteristic of welded pendulums.

2021 KTM 690 SMC R supermoto

Traverses

High-rigidity forged triple clamps with a 24mm offset (and the ability to change it to 22mm) provide excellent fork stay retention and thus precise control. Four handlebar positions allow you to tailor ergonomics to suit different rider preferences.

Fork

Maximum supermoto control is provided by the 48mm WP APEX inverted fork. The split fork design, developed jointly by WP and KTM, has been specially adapted for the KTM 690 SMC R. The fork is equipped with springs in both stays, one of which provides compression damping (left) and the other provides rebound damping, without negatively affecting each other. Thanks to this, the smoothing of the suspension travel in both directions is adjusted using 30-position adjusters on the upper ends of the stays.

Rear shock absorber

The supermoto-tuned WP XPLOR shock absorber is mounted to the swingarm via a linkage. This ensures the progressive nature of the suspension and its high resistance to breakdown. A full range of adjustments, including fast and slow compression, allows you to customize the rear shock to suit any conditions and rider preferences.

Wheels

The KTM wheels feature lightweight milled hubs, high-quality black 17-inch rims and steel spokes linking them together for maximum strength and minimum weight.

Test drive KTM690 SMC-R

There are motorcycles whose practicality is reduced to a minimum, and their wild and unbridled nature makes them subject to only a small number of riders. Perhaps only these slightly crazy people are capable of 100% realizing the enormous potential of essentially demonic motorcycles. These bikes include the KTM 690 SMC-R (we published a test drive of its predecessor from the world presentation in Spain in 2008, see MD 3/2008. And here, “Hello again!”

KTM 690 SMC-R

If you ever decide to speculate on the comfort, practicality or utility of the KTM 690 SMC-R, then I will be the first to throw a rotten tomato at you. This bike does not fit into the average frame and does not like compromises. His specialty is virtuoso playing to extremes, balancing on a razor's edge, playing with matches astride a powder keg.

Perhaps this motorcycle can be included in the TOP 10 bikes that are not recommended for beginners to buy. It doesn't have the slightest bit of the forgiving character of road bikes of similar size. Wrong? - Kiss the asphalt!

The SMC-R can be compared to a grenade. It is just as effective when attacking a city, beautiful in its laconicism and... deadly dangerous for the owner - unless, of course, the latter is able to make friends with his head and the rest of the body.

And yet, I will move from an emotional explosion to a more restrained style of presentation. Like its fellow Enduro 690 R, the SMC-R incorporates all the best features from previous versions of the LC4-powered motards. And in order to better understand all the changes made to it, we took the 2008 SM690 as a “reference”.

Compared to the previous generation of the 690th engine (or, to be honest, the “654th”), the new power unit has increased slightly in volume due to an increase in the piston stroke from 80 to 84.5 millimeters with a constant piston diameter of 102 millimeters. In connection with this, the number of “horses” has also increased, of which there are now 67 instead of 63.

One glance at the chassis layout is enough to understand, without bright inscriptions or analysis of the characteristic shape of the plastic, that this is a KTM. A spatial tubular frame made of chrome-molybdenum steel encircles the motor included in the power structure. High-quality adjustable WP suspension, a Brembo braking system with a massive front 4-piston radial caliper, a Renthal steering wheel, milled traverses with orange anodization and other top-end components clearly hint that this “horse” ran out of the Austrian “stables” near Mattighofen.

Upon purchase, this KTM 690 SMC-R received a full Akrapovic exhaust, aluminum skid plate and some very strange suspension settings. Therefore, having opened the manual and armed with a screwdriver, in ten minutes we returned everything to the “standard” - the settings recommended by the factory.

Pressing the starter button almost instantly gave rise to a sharp roar that escaped from the vent of the “direct flow”. The nearly 700cc, high-powered single-barreled shotgun generates a truly “live” sound that reverberates around, gets under your gear, and pierces your brain, stimulating nerve impulses in neurons throughout your body. After five minutes of this “sound therapy” you turn from a sleepy felt boot into a cheerful carrot, and this means you can go.

Sharply opening the throttle on the KTM 690 SMC-R is akin to a gunshot that sends the tachometer needle towards the red zone. Acceleration tries to lift the rider off the handlebars, and the front wheel doesn't want to stay on the ground. On top of everything else, you have to click the gearshift foot very quickly, since the gears “end” surprisingly quickly. And all this happens to the sound of rumble from the Akrapovic end switch. Absolutely wild motorcycle!

By the way, the gearbox works very clearly, although I found it a little rough. A huge plus is the presence of a hydraulically driven slipper clutch.

If you want to ride the SMC-R fast (otherwise, why would you want this bike?), you will have to get used to moving as close to the steering column as possible during acceleration and leaning over the handlebars. Otherwise, the front wheel will hang in the air in the first two gears, and after 140 km/h the oncoming air flow will turn you into a flag fluttering on the steering wheel-flagpole. Allegory, of course...

Nevertheless, at such speeds the bike demonstrates good stability and relatively good aerodynamics thanks to the Motard-style shortened front wing. The complex cross-section of this piece of plastic gives it the necessary rigidity to resist air flow and minimizes unwanted vibrations that could cause the front wheel to wobble.

It should be noted that the closest relative of this motard, namely the KTM 690 Enduro R, does not have such an aggressive character, although its peak power and torque values ​​​​are similar. Apparently, the point here is in the distribution of torque over revolutions, other settings of the electronic “brains” and the transmission ratio. In addition, the Enduro R exhibits alarming instability from 110 km/h due to the larger front wing and different suspension.

The KTM 690 SMC-R, which has burst onto the streets, resembles a squirrel with a charge of hunting shot in its butt. Don't get me wrong. It is also quite possible to ride it calmly and measuredly... Theoretically.

Quite sharp steering geometry, leanness and low weight make it amazingly maneuverable. True, to fully realize this potential, it is necessary to unscrew the locking bolts, which prevent the fork from being tightened, limiting the maximum steering rotation to a very modest sector.

The SMC-R allows you to safely tumble into corners where the owner of a sportbike would only allow himself half the speed. This category also includes road junctions with asphalt that has clearly survived carpet bombing. Suspensions with 250 millimeters of travel absorb most of the potholes and bumps found on the roads, providing the high-quality standard tubeless Continental ContiAttack SM tires with excellent contact with the surface.

A few words about the tires themselves. They were developed specifically for motard motorcycles, as the name suggests. Their strengths are good cold grip, quick warm-up and long-term maintenance of operating temperature. Also, the manufacturer reports that thanks to the new “cooking” technology, the life of this rubber is not as short as it seems at first glance.

Thanks to the same suspension and huge ground clearance, the only thing that can prevent the KTM 690 SMC-R from passing in the city is a concrete fence that suddenly appears on the way. Otherwise, the rider can choose his own route without being tied to the usual options for others, such as public roads.

Having paid due attention to how the SMC-R will accelerate and drive, its creators did not forget about the reverse process. The wheel is decorated with a braking system with a 320 mm floating disc and a 4-piston radial-mount caliper. At the rear there is a 240mm fixed disc paired with a single-piston floating caliper. Naturally, the brake lines are laid with reinforced hose - you wouldn’t expect anything else from Brembo. The performance of such a system is enough for a light 139-kilogram motorcycle, and excellent information content allows you to dose the force very accurately.

An additional assistant when slowing down is the motor itself. It provides such impressive braking torque that you rarely need to use the rear brake. At the same time, you can absolutely safely use engine braking, because the motorcycle already has a slipper clutch as stock! The practical value of this node lies in the fact that SMC-R is devoid of such an unpleasant phenomenon as “chattering”. Dropping a few gears down, you drop the clutch and, accompanied by the even squeal of rubber, you let the motorcycle slide into a controlled slide. And no rear wheel bounces for you!

Like any motard, the KTM 690 SMC-R must be durable and not afraid of falls. He is not afraid of them. In the event of an epic fail, the motorcycle rests on the handlebar guard and the kickstand. The fork is protected by short crash pads made of durable plastic. In addition, the SMC-R has a body kit made of soft and flexible plastic that does not break even with strong impacts. Well, battle scores are like scars on a man, which, as you know, decorate him. Therefore, all the owner needs after a fall is to pick up the bike and move on.

All this makes him an unsurpassed urban fighter, whose favorite pastime is “showing off” the owners of sport bikes. Yes, yes, these “city traffic sharks” look like helpless babies compared to a skilled SMC-R rider.

Finally, once again about comfort and practicality. If you are considering the KTM 690 SMC-R as a long-distance travel companion and a bike “for the whole family,” then you apparently haven’t read what I wrote here at all. This is a selfish motorcycle. He loves only himself and (a little) the pilot. Moreover, love for the latter bears obvious signs of sadism. A hard narrow saddle, a complete lack of wind protection, significant vibrations, extremely sharp reactions - all this will discourage those who like to pamper their carcass or spend an hour or two behind the wheel in philosophical reflections about Fate and the Road.

The KTM 690 SMC-R is a motorcycle for those who have truly steel Faberges. In all senses.

KTM 690 SM

In the KTM model line, this is something of a dead-end branch of the development of a medium-sized motorcycle of the “motard” class. Since this bike is not our protagonist today, we will simply compare it with the SMC-R and try to answer the question: why has its time passed?

You don’t need to delve too deeply into the technical details to understand that the KTM 690 SM is a hybrid of an ordinary city motorcycle with a motard, a kind of Austrian experiment in breeding a new breed.

It is distinguished from the modern SMC-R by greater weight, shorter travel suspensions, much lower ground clearance and a lower center of gravity. The seating triangle “steering wheel-seat-footpegs” is more similar to a roadster than a purebred motard.

The assumptions are confirmed by practice. The SM really does feel like an aggressive road bike with the bad road package. On paper, its engine is only slightly inferior to the modern LC4 series engine in terms of peak power and torque. In fact, the difference between the dynamic characteristics of these bikes is quite significant. The SMC-R has sharper throttle response and noticeably more powerful mid-range acceleration. True, there are more noticeable vibrations in the same range.

Thanks to its lower center of gravity, the SM dives into corners a little more willingly and provides sharper feedback to the front wheel. This is where its advantages end, because it is more picky about the quality of the road surface. As daring as on the SMC-R, taking it into a turn with broken asphalt can end up in a ditch. However, now we are talking about relative abilities. If we compare it to the absolute, then in corners the KTM 690 SM will outshine many sports bikes.

A lower center of gravity, more mass and some semblance of aerodynamic shapes give the SM stability at high speeds. But, as soon as it comes to jumping on curbs and driving up stairs, it’s better not to be reckless. Despite the beautiful advertising video, in this regard it is much inferior to the SMC-R due to the exhaust manifold laid under the engine and shorter suspension travel.

Why is this motorcycle no longer produced? Everything is very simple. The Austrians have relied on two other models that are “bigger” (KTM 990SM-R) and “better” (KTM 690SMC-R).

Suspension adjustments

For motards this is an extremely important moment. In the SMC-R, the fork has only two damping adjustments – compression and rebound; the “preload” of the springs is not adjustable! The shock absorber is adjustable at two compression speeds (32 and 4 clicks), rebound (25 clicks) and spring preload (infinitely variable) to suit the rider’s weight. WP specialists have taken care of the simplicity of the adjustment process - at the top, at the ends of the fork stays, there are manual rebound damping handwheels (32 clicks from lock to lock), and at the bottom of the fork there are adjusting screws (25 clicks) for compression damping using a flat-head screwdriver. The factory recommends several settings and all of them are included in the operating instructions. It requires you to first click the knob clockwise all the way, and then count the clicks in the opposite direction.

Remember that just one or two clicks can significantly change the way the pendants work!

Valery Chuikov

Height: 186 cm, weight: 125 kg.

Driving experience: 30 years.

Motorcycle: Honda XR650L.

After the XR650L, this K, although the saddle height was just a little lower. The first impression I got from the SMC-R 690 was when moving the motorcycle from Irpen to Poznyaki and it was extremely negative. Cause? It is trivial - the owner rode the bike along forest paths (mostly standing) and the suspensions, to put it mildly, had very specific settings - the fork was almost loose, the shock absorber worked normally in compression, but was clamped in rebound. As a result, it was difficult to brake (4-piston Brembos, after all - you nod off even at a third of the lever stroke!), difficult to turn (you can’t feel the road, which means you write the trajectory at random) and the engine was on every large bump or “police” ” loudly sings the “idle aria”. Having reached the garage, in the evening I drank cognac and called the KTM distributor, and in the morning, armed with the “manual” received from him, Kuznetsov and I restored the status qwo in 10 minutes, clicking the adjustments (thanks WP - there is something to click) and setting them all to “standart” position (see “Adjustments” insert).

And the motard was transformed! The “feeling of a motorcycle” appeared, deep dives when braking disappeared, and the rear wheel stopped bouncing like an overinflated basketball. It turned out that the new motard not only accelerates well, but also handles delicately and brakes effectively! Moreover, the “strong” mid-range of engine speed, consisting of two ranges (thrust growth from 3500 to 6500 rpm and a clear “shelf” - from 6500 to 7500), provides the SMC-R with more than sufficient (for the city) driving force , which allows you to confidently start from traffic lights and move around the city. After reconfiguring the suspensions to the “standard” recommended by the factory, the motorcycle found balance not only in handling and braking, but also when driving over many different types of bumps, which greatly increased the feeling of its overall unevenness, or something. The improved transmission also showed itself positively.

In general, the clutch-gearbox combination works clearly and with moderate effort, but between the 5th and 6th stages sometimes a false neutral is caught and this is upsetting. As it turned out during the test, previous versions of motards in this series also have this defect, and on them it is found not only between direct and boost...

In the end, I really liked the motorcycle and, if you work in the accessory and tuning direction to isolate your arms and legs from the vibrations created by the perky “single-barrel” gun, then, perhaps, you won’t find a better city motorcycle at the moment.

Text: Sergey Kuznetsov

Photo: Andrey Shlenchak

Thank you to Nikolay Samarin for providing the KTM 690 SM motorcycle

and the KTM 690 SMC-R motorcycle – “Autoclub C”,

exclusive importer of KTM in Ukraine.

Brakes

The latest generation BREMBO M 4.32 monoblock caliper is mounted on the front wheel, providing class-leading braking force. Petal discs, 320mm at the front and 240mm at the rear, provide the right combination of stopping power and consistent brake feedback.

2021 KTM 690 SMC R supermoto

Specifications

The heart of the wild motard is represented by a powerful single-cylinder four-stroke liquid-cooled engine. The volume is 690 cm3, and this, I must say, is impressive for one cylinder.

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The motorcycle boasts a power of 66 hp at 7500 rpm and 68 Nm of torque at 6000 rpm. Dry sump lubrication system with dual rotor pump. As for the ignition, it is completely electronic with advance timing adjustment.

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The gearbox is 6-speed. The drive to the wheel is carried out by a chain.

The motard has a tubular frame. Our aggressive suspension is designed to handle unevenness: at the front it is represented by an inverted telescopic fork with a stroke of 250 mm, and at the rear there is a pendulum on a monoshock absorber with the same stroke. All this, combined with high ground clearance, allows you not to think about bumps on the road or even makes it possible to pave a road where there is none.

The brakes also raise no doubts, especially given the motorcycle’s low weight of 140 kg. The front brake features a 320mm floating disc, all clamped by a four-piston monobloc caliper. At the rear there is one piston and a disc with a diameter of 240 mm. The tank is not very large, only 12 liters, but this is normal for motorcycles of this class. Consumption during moderate driving is 4 liters.

Technical data of the KTM 690 SMC motorcycle

An electric starter with an automatic decompressor helps to start the engine, otherwise it is very difficult to crank the crankshaft with such a volume.

The motorcycle is equipped with various riding modes, by the way, there are 10 of them. But in reality, the differences are so insignificant that only a dyno can notice the difference. But some of them, nevertheless, are very useful, and are perfectly adapted for driving in the city and even for running on low-octane fuel.

Engine

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Transmission

Dimensions and weight

Chassis and brakes

Ergonomics and comfort

Seat

The KTM 690 SMC R's seat height is 890mm, providing a comfortable ride without compromising the available recline angles. The seat material has a fine texture for optimal grip on leather gear.

Steering wheel

The lightweight 808mm wide tapered handlebar is mounted with rubber spacers to reduce vibration. The width and shape of the handlebar provides optimal control in all situations.

Footrests

The narrow profile of the motorcycle, necessary for maximum lean angle, is ensured by short footpegs with removable rubber inserts for riding in road motorcycle shoes.

Electronics and software

Tilt sensor

The ECU monitors the motorcycle's lean angle using a special sensor, allowing it to fine-tune the traction control and ABS intervention both in corners and when riding in a straight line.

Reviews from KTM 690 SMC owners

A bike for all occasions, commuting to work, riding at night, and flying to the track. On the track, if you have the skills, it can easily outperform liter sports in terms of lap time, because it is lightweight, calmly rolls into any turn and can afford to brake just before the turn. In general, this toy is not for everyone, of course, but I am just such an amateur. Anatoly, Moscow, KTM 690 SMC '2018.

I bought a new bike from the showroom, traveled only 4,000 km during the season, next summer is just around the corner, I think I’ll put more on the wheels. I haven’t traveled far, I don’t think it would be comfortable, but in the city of Katym I feel like a fish in water. There are no problems and there haven’t been any, the motorcycle is new and under warranty. Dmitry, St. Petersburg, KTM 690 SMC R '2018.

Fire bucket, this is the second KTM I have, before it there was a small Duke 125, also a beast of a machine, even though it’s small. I thought about taking the Duke 690 at first, but a one-year-old SMC 690 turned up, especially since it was being sold by an old friend, for whom it turned out to be too small with a height of 195 cm. In the end, I took the bike from him, which I never regretted; I didn’t even think that a motorcycle could give so much adrenaline in one evening. I travel mostly on weekends, I don’t have much time, but this rocket is worth all the money I paid for it. Alexey, Nizhny Novgorod, KTM 690 SMC '2017.

Electronic assistants

Electronic fuel injection, e-gas and the engine management system (EMS) enable innovative and convenient electronic assistance. These features allow the new generation LC4 motor to be used at maximum efficiency in the widest range of conditions.

Riding modes

The KTM 690 SMC R is equipped with two riding modes, No. 1 - Road, and No. 2 - Supermoto. Road mode results in sporty engine throttle response, while wheel slip and wheelie are reduced to a minimum, providing optimum road driving character. ABS here operates in two-channel mode, that is, on both the front and rear wheels. Supermoto mode, on the other hand, provides a smoother response, while the traction control operates in Supermoto mode, allowing rear wheel slip and front wheel lift within acceptable limits without affecting engine performance. Modes can be easily switched from the steering wheel, allowing you to change the character of the engine on the fly. Traction control is switched off when needed, and in Supermoto mode the rear ABS channel is automatically switched off for better rear brake feel and for Supermoto-style slides.

2021 KTM 690 SMC R supermoto

Traction control

MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control) - Lean-sensing traction control reacts immediately when rear wheel speed becomes disproportionate to speed and riding conditions. In a matter of milliseconds, MTC reduces engine thrust with an extremely smooth, almost imperceptible change in throttle angle until slip is reduced to the optimum value depending on the selected ride mode and current lean angle. For particularly ambitious riders, traction control can be turned off completely.

Quickshifter

Quickshifter+ is based on two sensors, one of which on the gearshift lever registers its upward movement, while the system turns off the fuel supply. The second sensor, having detected a gear change, sends a signal to resume fuel supply and open the throttle, ensuring fast and smooth shifting and optimal engine speed for jerk-free driving. When downshifting, the system automatically increases engine speed, preventing downshift jerk.

Inclined ABS

Tilt ABS allows the rider to make the most of all available braking force at any time and in any conditions, given the angle of the motorcycle. In Supermoto mode, ABS operates only on the front wheel and lean angle tracking is disabled. The 2021 KTM 690 SMC R comes with a new ABS modulator that improves the efficiency of the braking system.