The Motorcycle That Makes Every Type Of Ride Better
Motorcyclists ride bikes for a variety of reasons. Some want to set lap records; others want to feel the rush riding a fast motorcycle. Some want to take their mind off things, while others enjoy the engagement of keeping an old cruiser in running condition. And there are a few of us for whom motorcyclists are all about having fun, nothing else.
Whether they’re commuting on weekdays, heading to the nearby mountain road on the weekend, or even going on a weekend ride, they want a bike that offers an exhilarating riding experience first. And nothing is better for such riders than a supermoto. If you’re one such rider looking for a bike that makes every ride better, here’s the ultimate supermoto pick for you.
There’s Only One Kind Of Bike Purely Focused On Fun
There are more motorcycle segments than you can count with your hands, and almost all of them are designed to serve a real-world purpose. Touring bikes are designed to take you far in comfort, and adventure bikes intend to continue the ride beyond the blacktop. Sports bikes are designed for circuit riding, and naked bikes bring that performance in a more practical and comfortable package. Cruisers, on the other hand, focus on a relaxing riding experience.
But there’s one segment of motorcycles that stands out. It’s not built with any practical purpose in mind; instead, bikes belonging to this segment are designed purely for having fun on the road. They are not the most powerful, comfortable, or practical options, but ride one like it’s meant to be ridden, and you’ll never want to ride anything else. If you haven’t guessed it yet, we’re talking about supermotos. Whether you’re commuting, blasting along mountain roads, or simply messing around in the parking lot, supermotos will make the ride better (read: more fun).
What even are supermotos, though? They are a hybrid that combines dirt bike agility, sports bike grip, and stunt-friendly ergonomics. Essentially, supermotos use lightweight dirt bike frames with 17-inch grippy street tires and upgraded front brakes, turning into something that offers sharp steering, extreme lean angles, and controlled wheelies and slides. And given their lightweight nature, they can be pretty versatile, too, though we wouldn’t expect comfort from them.
The KTM 690 SMC R Defines The Supermoto Segment
Supermotos have gotten quite popular in recent years, and you have many options to pick from. Beginners can start off with something like the Kawasaki KLX230 SM or KLX300 SM, while intermediate riders have the Suzuki DR-Z4SM and KTM 390 SMC R. For those looking for a premium feel, Ducati offers the Hypermotards. However, if there’s one bike that nails the supermoto formula unlike any other, it’s the KTM 690 SMC R, a serious supermotard motorcycle built around the Austrian specialist’s 690 enduro platform.
The KTM 690 SMC R is the undisputed king of the class, too. Built around the company’s signature approach of keeping things light, aggressive, and unapologetically rider-focused, the 690 SMC R uses a big-bore thumper engine producing over 70 horsepower, known for its immediate and punchy throttle response. Then there are lightweight, specialized underpinnings, including fully adjustable suspension and upright ergonomics, that keep things highly agile and responsive.
The 690 SMC R nails the brand’s core philosophy of being ready to race at all times, offering you agile handling, top-notch performance, and rider-focused ergonomics. Whether you’re riding through city streets or going up a mountain road, the 690 SMC R will egg you to push the bike and have fun while doing so. Honestly, this is the kind of bike that will test your self-control. Fall for it, and you might put your license at risk. The bike starts at $13,399.
Hardcore Supermoto Hardware Focused On Explosive Performance And Razor-Sharp Agility
A big single-cylinder engine is what defines the supermoto segment, offering a character that small-bore lumps or other engine layouts can’t offer. The keywords here are explosive torque. And no other motorcycle offers that big-bore thumper character like the KTM’s LC4 single-cylinder engine. Updates for this generation include new clutch and stator covers, an all-new crankcase, an improved oil delivery system, and, of course, more punch.
That means the LC4 lump displaces 692.7cc and produces 77.9 horsepower, making it the most powerful single-cylinder production bike. This beats the KTM Hypermotard 698 Mono by a mere 0.4 ponies, at least in stock form. The torque figure stands at 54 pound-feet. KTM also claims the engine is not only as bulletproof as ever but offers a hard-hitting, explosive performance that has come to define the brand’s big-bore singles. It’s mated to a six-speed transmission with a slipper clutch and a quickshifter, making fast upshifts and downshifts easy.
Lightweight Build, Courtesy Of The Chromoly Steel Trellis Frame
The engine is held by the familiar trellis frame built from lightweight sections of chrome-molybdenum steel tubing. KTM says the frame on the latest 690 SMC R is stiffer than before, and it’s engineered for high torsional rigidity and longitudinal flexibility, offering a combination of sharp handling and flexibility to handle wheel impact energy. It’s paired with a die-cast swingarm that is said to be free of weak points inherent in a welded swingarm. The underpinnings and minimalistic bodywork bring the bike’s weight down to just 322 pounds dry.
WP Apex Suspension Lets You Dial In The Ride Quality
The KTM 690 SMC R uses WP Apex suspension, featuring chunky 48mm USD separate function forks up front with compression damping on the left and rebound damping on the right, both adjustable with 30-click dials. At the back is a WP Apex monoshock connected by a linkage, and it is fully adjustable. Stiffen it up for stunting/cornering, or loosen it up for on-road comfort–it’s on you.
Brembo Brakes And Sticky Rubber Round Things Out
The bike uses 17-inch wheels wrapped in sticky road-focused tires, which should give the bike ridiculously agile handling, letting you flick it from side to side with minimal effort. The setup makes this lightweight bike perfect for tight corners, urban streets, and empty parking lots. Finally, braking duties are handled by a tried-and-tested Brembo M4.32 monobloc caliper up front gripping a lightweight 320mm rotor, paired with a 240mm disc at the back.
Designed To Handle Aggressive Riding Safely
The 690 SMC R takes the design straight off its enduro sibling, and the design that works well in dirt should also work pretty well for on-road aggressive riding. The bike’s design is slim and aggressive, and KTM says it’s designed to allow for easy transition between various riding conditions. The bodywork is also made from PP plastic material that’s said to be long-lasting and flexible, perfect for an occasional low-side when learning new tricks on the bike.
Similarly, the bike’s design also enables an upright riding triangle that’s perfect for chunking the bike in corners or stunting around. KTM says the ergonomics allow complete freedom of movement in various riding positions, and the 35-inch-high seat, while tall, is covered with a grippy seat cover that works well even with leather race suits, providing grip and uninhibited rider movement. The brake, clutch levers, and footrests are adjustable, and the footpegs feature rubber inserts that dampen vibrations on longer rides.
Decent Tech Package, Though Some Are Hidden Behind A Package
The KTM 690 SMC R also gets plenty of tech that not only keeps you informed but helps keep the shiny side up. It starts with the small 4.2-inch TFT display that’s designed to be compact yet offer the right information. KTM assures good visibility in all lighting conditions, offering you access to music, calls, turn-by-turn navigation, and ride modes. It’s complemented by LED lights all around, a USB port, and cornering-enabled ABS and traction control.
KTM also offers optional Track Mode, which brings additional settings like Launch Control, Anti-Wheelie Mode, slip-adjuster, and moto-slip regulation, as well as Sport ASB, which allows you to be more aggressive on the brakes with the ABS intervening a little later. Nobody likes paying extra for features that are already on the bike, only locked behind a paywall.
That one niggle aside, the KTM 690 SMC R is a perfect supermoto. It offers explosive big-bore thumper performance, along with sharp handling that only the best riders will ever exploit fully. And it does not hide its intent. Right from the loud blue and orange paintwork to the sharp design, the 690 SMC R looks like a thoroughbred KTM. It’s a bike that will make even a short grocery run an exciting event.
Source: KTM
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