Return of the SMT!

After much teasing, the latest version of the Austrian factory’s SMT is finally here. It’s a funky proposition, offering a neat mix of supermoto performance and big-mile touring capability. Sitting in the range between the 890 Duke and 890 Adventure, the long-legged 194kg corner carver was first spotted testing way back in October 2021 – but it’s taken until now for the factory to release it out into the wild.

It’s powered by KTM’s heralded 889cc LC8c parallel-twin engine (as found in the Duke and Adventure), but it’s had a bit of a retune to suit the SMT better. Getting into specifics, the motor kicks out a healthy 103.6bhp at 8000rpm and 73.8lb-ft of torque at 6500rpm.

It also gets the same steel main frame as the 890 Adventure, though there’s slightly revised geometry to improve cornering prowess, while the shock absorber has been reduced to bring the seat height down to 860mm, and a new longer swingarm will help aid straight-line stability.

The suspension comes in the form of a set of rebound and preload adjustable 43mm WP Apex upside-down forks with 180mm of travel up front, and at the rear there’s a rebound-adjustable shock with 180mm of travel. Stopping is looked after by a pair of four-piston calipers and 320mm front discs up front, and the 17-inch rims are shod in a set of sticky Michelin PowerGP tyres. And as you’d expect, there’s a full electronics suite too.

Priced at £12,499 and available in May, we’ve got a very good feeling about the sporty tourer from KTM, and we can’t wait to put it to the test. If you want to know more, then head to your closest dealer.

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