2023 KTM 890 SMT Review: Actually A Good Idea?

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[@mikesampont6091]

I rode it yesterday and bought it today! Absolutely love it so far.

[@speedwobble5383]

KTM's commitment to never making a good looking bike is undefeated.

[@verlinswarey507]

😂😂

[@MichaRoden]

That’s what Husqvarna is for

[@bonjovi1354]

Ktm is not about looks its about proportion

[@jeremyst.george6711]

Idk the 690smc-r is pretty good looking along with the dirt bikes.

[@changliu7346]

@@jeremyst.george6711then you are in the group that feels like the only thing wrong with the design is the headlights

[@blackherring2009]

It is very good thing. I bought it. It is superb sports touring thing. Amazing is that this is the first KTM with really good stock seat. Perfect bike to slice through Europe. Better choice than Tracer or anything else.

[@stefromeo9334]

My heart was balancing between smt and tracer gt, I bought the smt I’m so happy right now ! Definitely a good choice for fun and ride

[@h34p]

i also think the only real competitor is the gt9+ tracer. i tried both. i bought the smt. a perfect bike. unbelievable fun and versatile.

[@heinekensese_]

do you use it as your daily commute bike?

[@h34p]

@@heinekensese_ no, as i live right next door to my work, but i drive it pretty much every 2nd day.

[@rkilgannon]

Thanks for the review. Took my 1290 SAS to the dealer yesterday and saw this bike for the first time. I am very tempted. I think a definite buying group is the SAS/GS owner who is looking for something lighter. And I really like the look of it!

[@Alex_mkII]

KTM need to ditch this demo mode nonsense

[@BasedGrimace]

I just found out about this bike today, this is the first video I’ve seen on it, and as soon as I heard that, “naw I’m good”

[@GrtSatan]

No shit. I paid for the trac pac outright when I purchased my 890 Duke R, it was a given that it would cost more money to access these features and I acknowledged that. This BS about giving the customer a taste then taking it away unless they pay is obscene.

[@iNFiN3]

they should have put the duke r full package, engine+brakes, also the beak delete is a must with the optional powerparts wheel mudguard, then it doesnt look so bad, also that flyscreen is kinda weird looking, can be made a dream bike, but the extras kill it, paying a grand extra just for the electronics which you get as standard on most bikes nowdays is a tall ask.

[@mmnl2445]

It does seem a bit weird that you get the 'budget bike' 790's brakes for this price

[@iNFiN3]

@@mmnl2445 I mean the brakes are perfectly usable, but when you total everything with the upgrades like the tech pack, the value seems a bit steep, I understand its a bit of a nieche product and since its the only one they can charge whatever, same as the ZX-4R, you just cant justify getting this over the 890R, way more value.

[@tomtraynor5384]

YESSSS. And so next year it will be out in the R..... I'd wait.

[@justmyself1000]

As one who owns an 890 Duke R.....I couldn't go to this. The tune/power on the Duke is just something one can't go back on. Not a fan of the bloodsucking pay for some lines of software code scam. Hopefully tuners and hackers will have a solution for this. But if anything....they could add a "Duke" mode and give it the power of the 890 Duke R...I also own an 1190 Adventure R. I wonder just how off road capable this bike is...?

[@dean-does-stuff-81]

that carbon front wheel mud guard looks awkward as well. I prefer the standard look, as it gives the bike some purpose. Nice to be a little different in my opinion.

[@roythompson6137]

Did a test ride for a few hours, loved it to bits, devilish fun. Responsive and, sounds great. Can't imagine touring on it though. I would be permanently taking off the luggage to throw it around in the twisties. Seat seemed high which meant leg angle was fine but a bit too far off ground. Very little wind protection either. That said, would love to have it in the garage as a fun, weekend curve basher.

[@garrysimmons111]

I bet this is a VERY good thing. My 950 SM-R was the most fun bike I've owned for hooning around in the mountains on a wide variety of pavement quality. I'm tall and really liked the supermoto on steriods feel of the SM-R. This appears to be a fine successor to the 950 SMT

[@mathias6423]

This is not that at all, I loved both the 950 and especially the 990, you should really go out and try this bike, it is nothing like those two classics. This bike really feels like the 890 adventure but with a bit harder, sportier suspension and a bit better handling because of the smaller sportier tires. It does not feel as raw and crazy fun as the 950 or the 990. The Duke 890 R is more fun to ride on the street and I am sad that KTM did not make this bike more special and closer to the older classics like the 950 that you mentioned for instance. I would have loved it if KTM instead made a 890 SMC-R out of this bike. A 180 KG fully fueled supermoto styled bike closer to the 690 SMC-R. A Hypermotard killer if you will

[@zigmoto360]

This bike is so fascinating. I have a Tracer 9 GT and Husqvarna 701 SM. Love both of them and would love to combine all the best bits into one bike. Maybe this is it? I'll need to take it for a test ride!

[@LG-th8xt]

Does it still heat like central heating or even more because of the Euro5 norm? How reliable is it?

[@tubejorrit]

Do a video comparing this to the F900XR please

[@daveyt4802]

Is this bike for Europe only?? Make mine low front fender and black wheels.

[@johnfretz1938]

If it's anything like my old 990SMR then it will absolutely rail on the road. I'm looking forward to this and well as (hopefully) an SMR version coming to the US.

[@georgephilippus]

Did you record audio in your helmet, in the studio, and played it over the riding sections? 😅

[@estrellagalicia01]

i feel like this bike targeting towards a sport touring bike like tracer 900 for example but more sportier looking with KTM Style

[@igniteflow]

Paying extra for software? No thanks, I’ll stay with Triumph.

[@TheMocard]

I'm looking at selling my 2018 KTM 500 Supermoto conversion for this now.. would love the 15k service interval on the road and a more comfortable distance traveler.. granted I know I'd miss the in town feel of the 500 :)

[@stevemorris289]

The SMT blends the R and the Adventure in a really useable package, plus it looks better for 2 up and touring. It looks like the ideal bike for me in Spain.

[@patrickbakjensen7561]

I'd prefer a Duke with bigger tank and the same options on paniers, with this current line up I would grap the Adventure with low seat and lowering.

[@mustdriveslower]

Reliability is the problem with KTM. It is a complex bike and it goes wrong. Fuel pumps and electrics and this engine has its fairshare of specific issues. I love KTM, having had three of them but they really do need to up the game on reliability. I rode the old SMT and that was fun if a little lethal so I appreciate the rider aids but are we getting too reliant on them? Thanks for the videos, you do a great job.

[@mathias6423]

I too enjoy riding KTM's and I have also owned three of them. I had a lot of fun on them but I also had a lot problems with them. I am not buying KTM again until they get their reliability issues sorted, they are just not worth it anymore for me. They would have to build something really fun and crazy for me to considering buying KTM again and a 890 adventure bike with street tires and a detuned street bike engine is far from it. The old SMT was faster and more crazy to ride than this new 890 SMT =( As for rider aids the only thing I want is cruise control and abs , the rest is not something I need and it only adds to the crazy high prices bikes are getting up to which is a shame. They will sell less new bikes and probably make them even more expensive to win back money they loose on not selling enough bikes which is so typical of companies. I think they should scale down bikes more with less rider aids, make more raw and fun bikes and lower the prices on them.

[@inked-96]

i have a r1200gsa 2019 and have had no end of issues with it.

[@1864oktobar]

Im still driving SMT 990, 80000km on the clock, still works like from the factory 😊

[@kweenie2086]

i think i'm gonna ask for every video i see the ruroc in, can we please get a review on the helmet i wanna know how bad you think they suck!!!

[@gilbertoandrescastanoriver4935]

I think you missed the point, as u said if you want the road performance then you go for the duke, the real comparison should be with the 690 SMC-R, probably not as big but an actual supermotard, so those people that actually want one can take a better choice if having a bigger engine it’s worth it over losing some of the key supermotard features of the 690

[@billcarson4566]

I really like the styling.😃

[@HORNET6]

Looking at this as I have a dealer 10 mins away, and, I live between the Yorkshire Dales and Moores, both natural habitats for this I reckon?

[@gkanai1400]

Remember the Yamaha TDM 850? Parallel twin, aluminum frame, 18" front wheel, motard seating.

[@devongreshler9080]

absolutely love it. Don't know why manufacturers are so leery of importing to US these days. /fingers crossed for 2024

[@alfiethefeline3311]

wish they didnt do a budget job on this bike, i would have really consider to change my 22 1290 adventure S but looks too budget. I am wondering how good is the engine ? must be alot less viby then the v-twin.

[@ishanmisra7472]

This looks spectacular

[@villeayras5371]

It is nice that KTM has a lot of options. But... It is more expensive, less powerful & heavier than a Duke 890R. And Duke 890R is comfortable. I have done 2 European tours on the D890R and no problems despite me being 196cm (6'5)

[@mmnl2445]

It sure feels we're in the 'ask anything you want' era... It IS expensive, and there's still room for an even more expensive R.

[@inked-96]

It's also a completely different style of bike.

[@user-wi7pq5iy2l]

a man who shows off his ring is the man who loves his wife truly...

[@h34p]

so, when's the review coming?

[@nicholasbaker2904]

I think it looks fantastic. But i have the 2007 beaker supermoto so i guess im objective as well.

[@verlinswarey507]

This is a different bike for sure. I don’t hate it! I do have to wonder who’s going to buy it. Although it does seem like there’s a buyer for pretty much anything that ever gets made. Except for the Harley Davidson LiveWire of course.

[@bikegeist]

Ask @blackherring2009 !

[@edwingumasingdeguzman7650]

Ktm the best model bike napakahusay ng pagkakagawa sakanya puwedi kahit san mo siya ipasok na kalsada sulit na klase ng mutor para bilhin para ipundar mo 🙏💪💪💪💪

[@anonymousanonymous8306]

100hp bikes don't need traction control. Kids these days.

[@lars9267]

The closest comparable bike to this one is probaly the F900XR.

[@greatcornholio5541]

Id say it’s the Aprilia 660 dual sport thingy they currently make. As far as both those companies go I’d trust Yamahas reliability a million times more than KTM/Aprilia…plus the 2023 Yamaha 900XR has some sick color schemes

[@mmnl2445]

Tracer 9?

[@basedury]

i think for the price they should absolutely be including brembo brakes and all the optional electronics that are already installed but locked behind a BS fee.

[@DaveDayve]

What's the comfort like on it? Beginning to love this bike.

[@stefromeo9334]

Extremely comfortable

[@BradBaker-pb5wm]

Id like to try one.

[@ozzie7523]

Put a set of knobby tires on it and it's a dual sport as well!😆

[@risingant7284]

Wow that Helmet looks awesome! 🔥 what's the Name of it?

[@paulred158]

I’ll wait for the Vitpilen 901 or nuda 901 me thinks.

[@SoDakTwisties]

Hats off to KTM for letting demo features during the break-in period, where you cannot fully open this bike up and experience them. This pay to play garbage is an awful trend that really needs to end. It's all there and the hardware is capable, but locked behind a pay wall.

[@Unclefacts]

except they're giving you the choice of what you want to pay for, instead of jacking the price another 2 grand with stuff you may not want.

[@earnestgriffin4838]

​@@Unclefactsu really said that its already overpriced without that stuff. Stop justifying this bs anyone who is looking for a bike in this price range expects these features. I have no idea why people bulid up Ktm when they are ugly unreliable and overpriced especially with those features locked.

[@bulthaosen1169]

@@Unclefacts that stuff is already there whether you want it or not. It's like a hard drive that comes with 1TB space that gets limited to 700GB after 2 weeks.

[@Unclefacts]

@@bulthaosen1169 garbage analogy.

[@bulthaosen1169]

@@Unclefacts because your mind is having an error

[@tomtraynor5384]

The black/orange 2014 SMT over this. 10 more HP for starters.

[@nwmotog]

Now let's just hope it comes to America, and hopefully soon 😂

[@AyoHues]

Whatever this bike is, it isn’t a tourer. You can put luggage on anything but seat comfort, tank range, wind protection & a smooth, non-vibey engine that doesn’t have to be flogged all the time are features you really need to do big miles every day for several days. Plenty of better all rounders that can tour. Also hard to see why you’d opt to pay the higher price for this over the Duke R or the Adventure despite the hype.

[@charalamposandrikopoulos6788]

One of the best looking bikes

[@utubeski42]

not in Australia. launch price $25k... '22 SAS $27k... not really a hard choice, even if you argue they are different bikes

[@javiervar494]

Good video 👍✌️

[@udayshome1793]

So, basically a Hypermotard from KTM.

[@leonrawls892]

I'll keep my 2013 990 SMT

[@madcoyote]

Remembers me of the Hypermotard...just in ugly. Am actually one of the taller models myself, so I would at least be interested how it would feel to drive.

[@TheGh02t]

This looks like an s1000xr that does not want to be a grown up but wants to do grown up things.

[@huayrarevo]

Donno why it looks unfinished and in a prototype/test bike form

[@dinu365]

he he all ktms are like that 😁

[@krishnansrinivasan830]

I never rode a Tall Bike...I think I kinda like this one :)

[@bonjovi1354]

Average height in india is 5.7 5 8 ish so no wonder any tall bike we get .. nd also we don't have dirt bike experience real tall bikes

[@trroland1248]

I’m sure there are tech savvy folks who can help you “purchase” the Tech Pack. 😏

[@Rayhold]

Everything is fun and games until you have to bring the bike for revision every 1000kms because there's always a "little something, little adjustment" here and there.

[@velcrofishsticks6002]

Try before you buy? You've already bought the bike. Stop justifying KTM nickel and diming their customers

[@jctv-sq4qd]

That demo tech feature is such a bs thing.

[@bikegeist]

6:34 omg I might be the KTM of blokes and my wife just has weird taste. I thought I was a least a bug-eyed Street Triple.

[@Lawman-196]

Norden 901 better version of the 890, and full street, Yamaha MT09.....just can't beat that triple!

[@hodgmoe]

That front fender is ridiculous. It’s like they couldn’t make up their mind to mount it high or low.

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

Is this the one made in China by Zhejiang?

[@bensmith7536]

ever since the 1290s 21' i had started dropping electrics and throwing constant errors after 6k km, ill never touch this brand again.

[@Ukmongoose3]

If you want a supermoto, get a 690. The new engine is super smoooooth.

[@phammanh2689]

Customers want supermoto but i also want touring capability with some wind protectiong, so the 690 is crap compares to the SMT.

[@mmnl2445]

Dropped from the line up. In Europe.

[@shhmule]

The 890 SMT has a factory seat option at 834 mm

[@ayasakikazuma3015]

KTM answer to hypermotard..?

[@y0imbooster]

Looks are subjective, otherwise I wouldnt be married😂😂😂

[@freshwaterspaceman7194]

Looks are indeed subjective and like your wife I like what I see! (...the bike I mean! 😁)

[@AlexLifts1210]

I'm sorry but turning off all that tech after 1000 miles just feels like robbery for me. You pay the money for the bike you see in the dealership, turning everything off makes it less of a bike. Ridiculous

[@RosZiOviC]

❤

[@BishBosh2010]

Well in reality it's a 890 Duke GT

[@thodoris3790]

The bike us a good idea.the front fender is a bad idea.

[@SomeRandoInternetPoster]

Demo mode, meh. It’s KTM’s way of advertising a lower ride away price. Unless the dealer throws the tech pack in with the price or offers a very good deal, I refuse to purchase a bike that shuts off functionality it has built in after 1500km. Loads of people are buying the new 2023 890 range so ktm will probably continue with demo mode as people are paying for it. If the reliability of the 890 range wasn’t so bad it might not hurt as much paying for the tech pack. From what I’ve seen the new 2023 adventures are still suffering some of the same issues as the two generation old 790’s!

[@RedRupert64]

The word un-sensible is now a word because KTM have made it a requirement! In my opinion 17" front wheels mean oversteer and less stability in corners and the wide front rubber slows the steering - years ago we needed wide tyres in order to obtain the required grip, now with modern tyres, we don't. The high front mudguard will be guilty for any vague feeling.

[@phammanh2689]

So why MotoGP bikes still use 17" front wheels? Please explain that Mr. Online Master of Riders?

[@tubejorrit]

all road bikes have 17 inch front tires. For offroad you want 19 or 21 inch

[@RedRupert64]

@@phammanh2689 MotoGP bikes use 16.5" front wheels. Track conditions are completely different to road.

[@RedRupert64]

@@tubejorrit That's not correct. More and more people are beginning to understand the advantages of bigger wheels - it's why adventure bikes, which tend to be used >90 on road, are so much popular these days.

[@tubejorrit]

@@RedRupert64 bikes with 19inch front tires are designed to go offroad, this is a bike designed for the road. If you want to go offroad now and then get the KTM adventure 890. If they gave the SMT an 19inch front wheel what would have been the point? It would have been the same as the adventure.

[@a-a-ronenduro6969]

🤢🤮. Thought this bike would be perfect since the some of the best riding in the world is an hour in either direction from me. A little wind protection and a comfortable ripper. Just can’t get past the looks. 🤞for neo-retro Husky version.

[@drd3816]

Its a Lambo-too much power and technology to use legally it needs a track.

[@timothybrockbank7474]

Disgraceful that you have to buy the rider modes

[@er98ah]

No you are for not wanting to buy them

[@lusjsjmsmsksm7347]

@@er98ah🤡🤡

[@magaudion]

KTM aren’t a registered charity.

[@PDCRed]

No different to paying for any software on your PC etc. we’ve had the idea of preinstalled software for years that you pay to use and keep. It cost money to develop, they’re just giving the option to pay for it. If you don’t want race you save money. Can be seen both ways.

[@timothybrockbank7474]

If I was forking out £12g I would want the works, bikes are getting priced out of normal people’s reach

[@raulsalanaranjo6565]

Hate to be charged twice for the features!!!! Would never buy!!!

[@mathias6423]

I think KTM missed an opportunity here to make a really crazy, fun to ride, bonkers bike. They should at least had put the KTM 890 DUKE R 121hp street bike engine in this street bike instead of the 890 adventure 100 hp engine in this street bike =( This bike weighs a lot more than the 890 duke R and has significant less power than the 890 duke R, where is the fun in that ? KTM had a bike 15 years ago, the 990 supermoto that was more fun and crazy to ride that back then actually had more power and less weight than this 890 SMT adventure bike for the street =( They should had at least make this bike faster than the Ducati Hypermotard, I do not want an adventure bike with SM tires 😭😭 Now it is just a worse adventure bike than the 890 advenure and a worse street bike than the 890 Duke R, I was hoping KTM instead of this bike made a bonkers 890 supermoto to rival the Hypermotard closer to the 990 supermoto they had earlier, that would be something I would be much more interested in. I think people that wants a heavy, cumbersome supermoto with a detuned , slower duke engine should buy this bike, I just can not see anyone that wants that kind of a bike though and I think KTM will not sell many of these 😭

[@bulthaosen1169]

Nope. Never gonna pay for a DLC model

[@st1buchanan698]

KTM's policy of holding things already installed on the bike hostage is just a deal-killer for me.They already expect you to overlook ugly, orange and unreliable.

[@Crust2013]

Not my ktms,they've been awesome!

[@Lawman-196]

Buy a Norden 901 and be happy....performance and looks great🤙🏽

[@Crust2013]

@@Lawman-196boring thing that Norden

[@sdefiel3719]

actually? S

[@fredrikandskar6578]

Bring back Nuda 900….

[@Szlejer]

Worse on road than the 890 Duke, worse offroad than the 890 Adv, doesn't have the low sitting fuel tanks of the Adv, neither the looks of the 690 or 450 Supermoto. It's basically an 890 parts bin bike from leftover parts.

[@phammanh2689]

What are you on mate? the Duke is a naked bike, of course it'll be better in terms of handling than the SMT, but you can't go on longer trips on the Duke. Secondly, the SMT does have low sitting fuel tanks, but smaller in capacity hence the side of the tanks wouldn't protrude out as much as the 890 Adventure. Thirdly, you cannot compare the 890 SMT looks with pure Supermotos like the 450 SMR, the SMT is meant to aim users that wants supermoto-ish style and handling, but comfortable enough to go on longer trips. I don't know why lots of y'all couldn't understand that.

[@magaudion]

Have you ridden both the 890 SMT and Duke or are you simply talking out of your backside ? And the tank is low sitting like the Adv.

[@phammanh2689]

@@magaudion The latter.

[@30nguyenhoangphuc5]

⁠@@phammanh2689vn còn chưa có ai nhập con này về chính hãng còn chưa thấy công bố j mà ông nói như đúng rồi còn bảo latter:))) Latter năm sau ah:)))

[@RideWithDaan]

Not a single wheelie. Shame on you ^.^

[@MH-xd2nd]

Pointless bike, once again KTM needs a new marketing dept. Duke for a road weapon, 890 adventure with 19”/17” cast rims without all the tat at a cheaper price point (to compete directly with the Tiger 850 and F750GS) instead of the also pointless reintroduced 790 adventure, and the full fat 890 Adventure R for the buyers who actually take their bike off-road. The fact that it’s incredibly ugly - whoever dreamed up that high front mudguard in white needs to be taken out and shot - and not in the spirit of the original 990SMT makes it even more pointless.

[@phammanh2689]

Pointless to you. Not to me, and certainly a whole lot of people like me.

[@LightInnDmountain]

Nop… no falling for KTM BULL POP. SUBSCRIPTION stuff. The future is electric anyways and this dying dinosaurs are way overpriced. I wanna have fun in my 👈 bike. Tons of KTMs on the market low miles, why ? People don’t consider them bikes !! Shame for a amazing motor. Oh well… still waiting for a discount HONDA Africa twin or TransAlp ….. not because is better but because is forever.