Over the years, KTM has built up a reputation for making fun bikes. The slogan “Ready to Race” is not only a slogan, it is something the company really believes in, almost to an error. Fun is often priority over boring things such as mechanical reliability and good business decisions.
After the company experienced in the past year or so, we were not sure if we would ever see nice bikes again. It would be good business to just produce more “safe” motorcycles and leave the fun things to other brands. Fortunately for us that is not the case. Although the LC4 has proven one of the most reliable engines of the brand, it is only more fun to make this supermoto even more fun.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information, the data used to collect this article come from KTM. While the opinions are of us.
The 2026 KTM 690 SMC R is worth buying in 2025
MSRP: $ 13,399
KTM has been the story of the year for the engine industry. Being able to prevent bankruptcy in the 11th hour, this is now a company in recovery mode. In theory we should not see ‘completely new’ platforms coming quickly. Renewed and remastered products are the order of the day. This is exactly what the SMC R is, a new, more powerful version of his previous – already very good – himself.
In the midst of the chaos that KTM went through, we theoretized that Husqvarna, Gas Gas and MV Agusta may be loaded. Of the three, only MV was recently sold, in a last-first type of relocation. The other two brands are still there and offer consumers alternatives to the new SMC R. de Husqvarna 701 Supermoto gives us an alternative color choice and slightly different plastics. The gas gas SM 700 is perhaps the more interesting option because it is just the old bike with alloy wheels, and for those who like to pay a little less and deal a little less power, this is not a bad way to go.
The only real competition in this unusual segment comes in the form of the Ducati Hypermotard 698. Ducati claims to have the most powerful single when it was launched, and that clearly struck a nerve. KTM ensured that the new SMC R has more power than the Ducati. It is a title that KTM clearly cherishes, and for the time being it is back with the latest iteration of the LC4.
Rivals
Husqvarna 701 Supermoto
Gas gas SM 700
Ducati Hypermotard 698
The 690 SMC R has a powerful single cylinder engine
Power: 78 hp
This is perhaps an old platform that simply gets an update, but the engine gets a pretty important overhaul. It gets a new crankcase and a new oil delivery system. The result is Euro5+ emission compliance and 4 more horsepower. Enough to use the Superquadro Mono as the most powerful single, but just just enough. At the end of the day we are only talking about half a horsepower, something that nobody will ever really feel.
The LC4 has always had more than enough power and has also proven to be mechanically reliable. But it has always been pretty raw. Large singles such as the LC4 always come with a certain degree of discomfort in the form of vibrations, and this is no exception. This is clearly not intended as a long -distance tourer, this is a super moto. So it is still to be seen whether the changes have contributed to the power output a bit, because that is the most important difference with the Ducati with which it competes.
Specifications
Engine type | Some cylinders, liquid cooled |
Displacement | 693cc |
Max Power | 78 hp |
Transfer | 6-speed gearbox |
The 690 SMC R Focus on simple engine filing pleasure
In the core, the SMC R is just a nice bike to drive, pure and simple. It is that singularity that will be attractive to a certain buyer. The steel trellis frame has always been great. It offers razor -sharp handling thanks to rigidity, but enough longitudinal flex to help the suspension deal with heavy effects. At the front you will be a Steveling 48 mm WP Apex -forken that are fully adjustable, and at the back you will receive a pre -taxed adjustable WP Apex shock. It is sufficient to say that you can find the correct arrangement, regardless of your weight or length.
In terms of functions, KTM has never been shy to add electronics. You still get curves, lean-sensitive traction control and driving modes, all of which can already be found on the previous model. The new simplified TFT Dash – who debuted in the 390s earlier this year – is a touch of class. It is robust enough to resist more than the reasonable part of abuse, but offers smartphone connectivity and Turn-by-Turn navigation if necessary.
This is more or less where the functions end. Comfort is a relative term in the world of Supermotos, because the ergos are fantastic for driving around a city, Canyon Road or a job, but the chair is not suitable for longer journeys. Wind protection is also fairly clear. It is certainly a bike that you could use theoretically as commuters, but it will constantly tempt you to do things that you probably shouldn’t do.
Nowadays supermotos are a bit of a dying breed. We see all kinds of versatile machines being launched all the time, so it is rather refreshing to see that this niche model is still being updated. Of course it will only appeal to a certain type of copper. Someone who doesn’t care much about specifications and is more interested in just driving something fun. Although it is certainly not a versatile bike, those who drive with it will quickly discover that the compromises are well and really worth it.
Chassis, suspension and weight specifications
Chassis | Steel slat |
Anterior suspension | 48 mm USD WP Apex Forks, fully adjustable (8.8-in-trips) |
Rear -wheel suspension | WP Apex Shock, Promotion adjustable (9.4-in-travel) |
Front | 300 mm disk |
Rear brake | 240 mm disk |
Weight | 357 pounds |
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