2023 KTM 890 SMT - SuperMoto Touring

KTM say this is in their "Sport Touring" group but I say something else.
Thank you Motorrad Huneke: ktm.motorrad-huneke.de/
Without partners like them I would not be able to make videos like this.
Video Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:10 Motor
1:35 Competition
3:01 Powertrain
5:15 Chassis
7:43 Ergonomics
11:06 Controls & Display
11:50 Verdict
Note: I am not a professional journalist or otherwise claim to be an expert in any way, I just have a passion for motorcycles and love to ride them. Please regard my videos as entertainment only and if information presented is inaccurate, verify it via the OEM or a knowledgeable third party & please let me know. For any question/inquiries please send an e-mail to [e-mail]

[@n.elliott9122]

Another good review! Its good to see them from you. Ride safe brother!

[@lourenco_ss]

Oh sh**, I was not expecting to really desiring this SMT!! I want one🤤🤤🤤

[@greyanaroth]

I just want to add some perspective on the "any day you can be out in the sun..." : when you're in tropical countries (India, for instance), during summer time, if you're out in the sun for too long you may risk death from dehydration 😅

[@u.g.6340]

Endlich wieder ein schönes Testvideo... thank god he is back with my favorite content. Thx a lot and keep going. Die Linke zum Gruß mein Lieber

[@johnDukemaster]

Thank you mr Prove! Well done!

[@mister656]

Hi Scott, many thank for your nice test-video which shows the right recommendation in the end. The SMT offers a bit SuperMoto Style & handling in combination with Touring-aspects or a Touring-Bike for a bit Hooligan-nature...😂 like me. 😎 And so I own one since 6 weeks and 2,6 tkm, coming from a Duke 890 R with touring mods. For me the Original Flyscreen seems to have a very individual effect depending on the rides size. I'm 196cm/6,43ft tall and have a bully stature and for me the max. speed thats cofortable is 180-190km/h before it start buffering on my helmet. Since last weekend I mounted the Adv-R (2023) screen but only to have some more coverage for my navigation-system. All in all I'm very happy with the bike already rode it on two longer trips a weekender to Luxembourg and for one week (by trailer) to Austria, Italy & Slovenia. It was really a blast on twisty mountain-roads and also nice to ride on the larger Großglockner Scenery road.👍 Greetings from the rhine-area and a nice saison 2023! Ride save! 😀 Eric

[@cariwendt9844]

You do good work. Always enjoy your reviews. Keep them coming, I’m 67 and I’ve been riding for over fifty years. I’m on a Yamaha Stratoliner now and love it. But I’m looking to downsize in the next few years. God bless young man and Go Blue, unless your a Green & Whire guy, if so I forgive you. 😎

[@allans7281]

Your videos are so classy I enjoy this one thank you

[@csr2atlasbestsetups35]

Nice review bro keep the job up👍👍

[@pistolpete6321]

Great review!

[@rodneybutler7939]

Really make a GREAT VIDEO"S thanks !!!!

[@disekjoumoer]

I want one so badly.

[@guinewer]

Great stuff as always. If i may suggest would you check out the Kawasaki Ninja 1000SX? It's a sport tourer.

[@roythompson6137]

Just tried that bike yesterday. An absolute beast! Can't imagine touring on it at all. Great for messing around up in the mountains. Will stay with my F900XR.

[@NovaPtl]

How was the weather protection difference against to your bmw?

[@roythompson6137]

@@NovaPtl none! Above 80/90kph it's impossible with the buffeting and noise.

[@johndavy8801]

Great & honest review Scott with some very good observations pointed out. This bike appears to be a failed attempt by KTM to build a middleweight sport tourer from the factory parts box. There are Many more fit for purpose machines from other manufacturers that will do the job far better.

[@roythompson6137]

@@johndavy8801 it's a fantastic bike but it's not a sports tourer. I tried it yesterday. In town it's far too nervous and I'm 1m80 and could hardly touch the ground at stops. At higher speeds the wind buffeting and noise is impossible. It's amazing fun though if you have a crazy streak (or hooligan as Scott calls it).

[@ridewherever]

I’m jealous. The states won’t see it for a while.

[@spetersonmusic]

Live long and prosper. LOL! Great review.

[@roughrider9831]

You should try this bike at speed on a twisty mountain road then report back. That is its purpose. It is a Sportsbike in the form of a ‘Tall Roader’. An 890 Duke on stilts with all the things that stop the Duke being an all round useful bike, like wind shield, passenger seat, fuel tank capacity and actual luggage carrying capability. In addition the seat/hand/feet relationship is biased to all day comfort rather than racer like weekend warrior foetal position of the Duke. I could have a lot of fun on this bike compared to some of the dull-as-dish-water touring bike competition. After all you only properly tour for a tiny fraction of the riding year, why not have some excitement for the majority of your ride time?. Let me give you a real world example, the office where I worked was right next to a traffic light junction. Nearly every day at about 4:30pm, a guy on a KTM 990 SM got stopped by the red light. Every time, he took off straight into a wheelie, and I mean every time. Wow, I thought, that looks like a fun bike. I bought a 950 SM as a winter bike and boy was it a fun bike, even though I can’t wheelie to save my life. That I think is what you get with this 890 SMT, it’s like turning the fun button to max, it goes around corners like the Scalpel Duke does with added ‘T’ for touring capability. On the styling perspective, I think this is one of the better efforts in the current KTM line up, it is an improvement over the 890 Adventure for sure.

[@paulcarden6015]

Hi, I I have had to 1190 adventure S 1290 adventure s, still have a 1290 adventure S. But I am really considering the 890 smt, as I want the 17 inch front wheel, also for fun. I did have one of the original 99TSMT , and it was a great bike. Just waiting for a demo bike to come available.

[@fabiena1787]

@@paulcarden6015 Man, I'm almost exactly in your situation. I'm looking to get the 17" front wheel back, after having had a 990 SMT, then a 2017 SAS and a 2021 SAS.

[@fabiena1787]

You're right about the 'Duke on stilts" part (although it sounds weird to me) but the windshield and fuel tank capacity aren't there obvisously (even though the autonomy will be nearing the one of the original 990 SMT due to the better fuel efficiency). Another bad point, in my book, is the fact that the fuel cap won't allow for a regular tank ring mount, and it seriously limits the range of tank bags you can use. And then, there is the price. I feel there is a big gap between the general quality of plastics and components, and the price asked foir the bike. In Europe, the SMT is 1500€ more than a Duke R. Yes, an R. An that's for inferior fork, shock, front and rear calipers, front master cylinder, and 20 hp less. That's just not right, given that it's also 15 kg more, and uses already existing frame and subframes. it makes no sense.

[@dean-does-stuff-81]

I am under the impression that the 890 adventure screens will also fit this bike.

[@subzero-ku2wx]

I don't understand how these windscreens are so inadequate on so many bikes intended for touring.

[@paulvanhout9695]

Because they want to sell you the “touring” screen🤨

[@subzero-ku2wx]

@@paulvanhout9695 I had a Tracer 9GT, nothing that Yamaha made was decent in terms of wind buffeting. People resort to getting madstad screens which are pretty pricey. I suppose upright sport tourers we'll all be plagued somewhat by this. Sucks.

[@jonasbaine3538]

@@subzero-ku2wx I put a $30 adjustable windscreen visor on my 1190 ktm and it works great.

[@subzero-ku2wx]

@@jonasbaine3538 I'm happy it worked for you. I think those visors are so ugly and kind of janky. I should probably get over myself lol

[@jonasbaine3538]

@@subzero-ku2wx I don’t like the look either but adventure bikes put the rider so far back from screen that the aerodynamics are challenging to get right

[@larryvanputten4048]

Nice, Scott, a marvellous machine! Isn’t the Hypermotard even shorter and more frontwheel directed? I rode such an animal one time and had lots of fun! Too wild for me, however, at an age of 71 😉 Thanks for showing us!

[@larryvanputten4048]

One more bike to compare it with would be the Husky Nuda, but…. Not available anymore!

[@michaelfrancis-vb7tp]

The helmet you used for this video, kind of looks like the Harley style. Long time no see. Hope all is well.

[@DJDarkrobe]

You didn't really compare it with your experience with the F900XR you owned, which would you prefer over the two bikes? Seems like you had a lot of fun, shame about the windshield for highway though. Thanks again for taking the time to do this, great job as always!

[@NothingToProve]

Yes, this is more fun to ride but I'd take the 900XR over this for ownership and every day riding. 👍😁

[@marek19922209]

@@NothingToProve could you please tell more why 900 XR over SMT? I was riding X R but felt like this engine is lack of something.. rest of bike was nice

[@ridewherever]

Give it time, the SMT R will come out eventually.

[@yahoodlums]

I love KTMs but I think this bike is just an adventure with road wheels, I don’t see anything supermoto about it. They need to redesign the headlight area, take a leaf out of the hyper motard’s books or go all out touring like the hyperstrada

[@csr2atlasbestsetups35]

My dream is to have one ❤💙❤💙

[@hankgs]

Waiting for it to come into the Calif. market... I'm torn between the 890 ADV for suspension travel or the SMT for the backroad twisties

[@roythompson6137]

I've tried both over the last couple of months, they are soooo different. You need to get a test ride to the know.

[@impact0r]

Get Norden 901 - best of both world. My MT10SP is gathering dust since I got the Norden.

[@cmbscx1084]

Way more use out of an ADV with a set of 17/19 wheels IMO

[@commanderroddi7742]

YOu can configure this bike with 2 or 3 piece lugage & a screen like the one on the 380 Adventure (get that off the dealer I believe?) Having a 390 Adv., that screen is nice. Suspension is Fantastic on these last generation of KTMs!

[@simonrichardson3167]

I didnt like the older 1290 the engine never felt settled which sometimes you want. Interested in this bike but seems to miss the mark for touring with a poor screen and smallish tank size, might push me to try the 1290 again

[@stephenchapman8344]

👍

[@dougbach7105]

What is the power difference between the BMW F900XR and the KTM 890SMT? I ask out of ignorance because I am new to this. Is the difference very noticeable on the road? I like the the BMW and the KTM. I love riding the twisties and 4 day trips. What about reliability of each? Sorry to ask newbie questions but I am that LOL LOL.

[@NothingToProve]

Power wise they are very close but torque the SMT will pull away from the XR (about 10% more torque). Yes, you will notice it, at least I do. Reliability, the XR wins hands down, KTM have had problems in the last few years, they are working hard to get quality under control though. Twisties, the SMT wins hands down because of the suspension is set up to go fast, the XR suspension is set up for both, go fast and comfort and the front suspension on the XR is non-adjustable. 4 day trips, I'd take the XR over the SMT all day long. 1 day rides the SMT 👍😊 Take care, Scott

[@dougbach7105]

Thanks brother for that great info!

[@R1KTM]

Hi. I know you had bmw f900xr, a bike I m thinking about. I tried it too, and discovered a fun bike, very nimble and, actually, a corner weapon, if you have the right driving skills. My question is: How is, this ktm, in comparison with xr900, fun wise and overall? Thanks.

[@NothingToProve]

Hi, This will easily go faster in a corner & has fully adj. Suspension, the XR does not have any adj on the front, which really bothered me after a while. But the xr is way more refined & better fit & finish. This is way more fun, it really comes down to fun or comfort? Xr comfort, this fun. Scott

[@R1KTM]

@@NothingToProve ok, I trust you. The strange thing Is : both BMW and KTM present these bike in "sport touring" class when, actually, they are Curves eaters 🙄 I am a strange type of rider: Always had performance bikes but, in the last years, I preferred to go towards less and less Power, to challenge my riding skills. I think that xr900 Is Better, to accomplish this, with its look very comfort oriented. Anyway, I LL trt smt in a few days and decide. 😉

[@sigberetta72]

Is this made in China….? I hear the 790 is? Other reviews say the seat is very comfortable. Guess it’s just all opinions. Nobody ever says how much it cost to keep the quickshifter and cruise after the demo mode shuts it down? I personally like the look of the bike. How does it sit compared to a 690 SMCR? I had one of those and it had a 890mm seat height I think and this is 860mm.

[@kugangles9860]

It's too bad KTM didn't throw the hooligan 120 HP R engine in it. People who buy this are gonna wanna ride it like a Duke not like the Adventure model. That little extra torque is really aimed at slow off road speed used in the dirt focused Adventure models with 21 inch wheels. Missed opportunity in my opinion. Who knows maybe they'll come out with a R version....

[@sigberetta72]

I have read they will come out with an R version

[@chrishart8548]

Sounds amazingly light but then it doesn't have 9" suspension travel and wire wheels. And a big fuel tank.

[@eriiikma5868]

Wheres the supermoto? I only See an adventure bike with 17"

[@Explorerda]

Unfortunately, the biggest issue with these great bikes is reliability.

[@paulcarden6015]

I’ve had 11 ktm ,built and reliability I’ve been very good. Couple of switches need replacing, also a slave cylinder, and a couple recalls

[@fabiena1787]

@@paulcarden6015 Don't sweat it, people crying about KTM's reliability don't have one, but just try to find reasons not to buy one.

[@codenamenoob4973]

I'd say it's the looks, that bike looks bloody awful and I love KTM

[@RoyClendaniel]

I've owned 5 KTMs with no issues. I think these general KTM reliability myths come from older 690 issues that have been resolved.

[@churchofbrap876]

I'd take the Hyper 950 over the KTM all day, on looks alone. Performance is probably very similar, but I'd still go Italian.

[@mickhep]

To me the worst of both worlds, not SM enough and not touring enough.I'd sooner get an 890R and stick a set 19" and 17" on one with the 20l tank.The perfect bike but manufactuerers never listen.

[@badger4361]

I rode this bike, and whilst it's phenomenally capable, the engine left me cold. Sure it's fast, but it lacks any character of the 950 carb fed v twin supermoto, for me anyway. It's like a nuclear powered sewing machine. I really wanted to like it, but I just didn't.

[@sonny9608]

I own 2 KTMs. Huge KTM fan. I liked your review. I hate this bike. Wow do I hate this bike. :)

[@NothingToProve]

Thank you! Yea, I didn't care much for it either...as you can probably tell in the video. It's like KTM wanted to be the best of both worlds and came up with neither.

[@AyoHues]

Lol! Ignore the KTM marketing kool-aid: this is NOT a touring bike. Certainly no more than any sporty roadster. The 2009 KTM 990SMT was a brilliantly capable all-rounder that you could use to cover hundreds of miles in a day, do urban, scratching & freeway riding, either taking it easy or scaring yourself along the way & suffer no aches or pains after a long day in the saddle. This is nothing of the sort. Buy the Duke-R or a proper tourer instead folks.

[@KairyuRider]

Do you think ktm has figured out reliability or made in China is still made in china?

[@NothingToProve]

This is & always has been made in Austria.

[@KairyuRider]

@@NothingToProve I thought you commented on the Chinese breaks in the video?

[@mauriciobolboa6829]

890 and 1290 platforms are all and will be made in Austria.

[@KairyuRider]

@@mauriciobolboa6829 but he referenced the Chinese parts in the video. And all the none v twins say made in China or India here in japan.

[@sigberetta72]

@@mauriciobolboa6829 I think the 690 is still made in Austria also.

[@lestersmyth692]

Lovely bike but certainly no tourer 👍

[@leviefrauim1425]

I wish KTM had built this in the same vein as the old 990SMT, like an actual ST, not a faux ADV style. This is a NO for me.

[@chrisb5986]

Yay! An uncomfortable, yet equally unreliable touring bike. Just what nobody asked for.

[@DTM45]

No interest.

[@phammanh2689]

yet you took your time to comment.

[@austinkaufman9402]

900 xr doesn't compare its the most boring engine ever

[@helgejohan3604]

One Ugly bike🤮the old 990smt look 10 times better✊🔥

[@phammanh2689]

good joke