Over the years, KTM has built up a reputation for making fun bikes. The “Ready To Race” slogan is not just a slogan, it is something the company truly believes in, almost to a fault. Often, fun is prioritized over boring things like mechanical reliability, and good business decisions.
After all the company has been through over the last year or so, we were not sure if we would ever see fun bikes again. It would make good business sense to simply produce more “safe” motorcycles and leave the fun stuff to other brands. Fortunately for us, that is not the case. Even though the LC4 has proven to be one of the brand’s most reliable engines, all it does is make this supermoto even more fun.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from KTM. Whereas, the opinions are our own.
The 2026 KTM 690 SMC R Is Worth Buying In 2025
MSRP: $13,399
For the motorcycle industry, KTM has been the story of the year. Somehow able to stave off bankruptcy at the 11th hour, this is very much a company in recovery mode right now. In theory, we shouldn’t be seeing any “all-new” platforms come out any time soon. Refreshed and remastered products will be the order of the day. This is precisely what the SMC R is, a refreshed, more powerful version of its previous – already very good – self.
Amidst the chaos that KTM were going through, we theorized that Husqvarna, Gas Gas and MV Agusta might be offloaded. Of the three, only MV was recently sold off, in a last-in-first-out type of move. The other two brands are still there and provide consumers with alternatives to the new SMC R. The Husqvarna 701 Supermoto gives us an alternative color choice, and slightly different plastics. The Gas Gas SM 700 is arguably the more interesting option because it is simply the old bike with alloy wheels, and for those happy to pay a little less and deal with 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 boldly claimed to have the most powerful single when it was launched, and that clearly struck a nerve. KTM made sure the new SMC R has more power than the Ducati. It is a title that KTM clearly cherishes, and for the time being, has it 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 Mighty Single-Cylinder Engine
Power: 78 Horsepower
This might be an old platform simply getting an update, but the engine does get a pretty significant overhaul. It gets a new crankcase and a new oil delivery system. The upshot is Euro5+ emissions compliance and 4 more horsepower. Enough to usurp the Superquadro Mono as the most powerful single, but only just enough. At the end of the day, we are only talking about half a horsepower, something nobody will ever actually feel.
The LC4 has always had more than enough power, and it has also proven to be mechanically reliable. But, it has also always been pretty raw. Big singles like the LC4 always come with some level of discomfort in the form of vibrations, and this is no exception. This is obviously not meant to be a long-distance tourer, this is a supermoto after all. So it remains to be seen if the changes have helped smooth out the power delivery a little, because that is the major point of difference with the Ducati it is competing with.
Specifications
|
Engine Type |
Single-Cylinder, liquid-cooled |
|
Displacement |
693cc |
|
Max Power |
78 HP |
|
Transmission |
6-speed |
The 690 SMC R Focus On Simple Motorcycling Fun
At its core, the SMC R is just a fun bike to ride, pure and simple. It is that singularity which is going to be attractive to a certain buyer. The steel trellis frame has always been great. It offers razor sharp handling thanks to its rigidity, but enough longitudinal flex to help the suspension cope with heavy impacts. Up front, you get beefy 48 mm WP Apex forks which are fully adjustable, and at the rear you will get a preload adjustable WP Apex shock. Suffice to say you will be able to find the right setup no matter your weight or height.
In terms of features, KTM has never been shy about adding electronics. You still get cornering ABS, lean-sensitive traction control and ride modes, all of which could already be found on the previous model. The new simplified TFT dash – which debuted earlier in the year on the 390s – is a touch of class. It is rugged enough to withstand more than its fair share of abuse yet offers smartphone connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation if required.
This is more or less where the features end. Comfort is a relative term in the world of supermotos, as the ergos are fantastic for riding around a city, canyon road, or a track, but the seat will not be suitable for longer journeys. Wind protection is also rather obviously non-existent. It is certainly a bike you could theoretically use as a commuter, but it will constantly tempt you into doing things that you probably shouldn’t.
Today, supermotos are a bit of a dying breed. We see all manner of versatile machines getting launched all the time, so it is rather refreshing to see that this niche model is still getting updated. Naturally, it will only appeal to a particular kind of buyer. Somebody who doesn’t care much about specs, and is more interested in simply riding something fun. While it certainly is not a versatile bike, those who ride it will quickly discover that the compromises are well and truly worth it.
Chassis, Suspension, And Weight Specifications
|
Chassis |
Steel trellis |
|
Front Suspension |
48mm USD WP Apex forks, fully adjustable (8.8-in travel) |
|
Rear Suspension |
WP Apex shock, preload adjustable (9.4-in travel) |
|
Front Brake |
300mm disc |
|
Rear Brake |
240mm disc |
|
Weight |
357 lbs |