KTM 890 SMT Review (2023) Visordown | Supermoto Touring is back!

[@dean-does-stuff-81]

I have had my SMT for around 6 weeks now... The thing all these reviews seem to miss out on is how the bike feels. It is an off road bike with road wheel ( super moto) and it rides like no other bike i have ever owned. Fun... it is just bonkers for B roads.... every one should own one of these bikes....

[@disekjoumoer]

I own a 990 SMT, which I adore for it bonkers engine, light weight and handling. I'm going to upgrade after KTM has sorted the electronics, as it pays not to be an early adopter with KTM.

[@gbner9991]

It's like a 5 year old platfrom at this point, nothing really new on this bike

[@user-vr4pb2js8g]

Suspension is all new and specific for this bike.

[@mikesampont6091]

I just got one and jumped on right away and crushed 400 miles. Sweet bike. Plenty of power and the stability is right on.

[@michaelstrauss6587]

....without the beak, it is a good looking bike too....

[@alanshearing7515]

I don’t like the medieval jousting pin either. I believe you can get a normal wheel cover as an extra .

[@michaelstrauss6587]

@@alanshearing7515 "medieval jousting pin"....I like that, reminds me of the "pedestrian slicers" of the old days. It is simply an affectation, there is a true mud guard on the bike close to the tire. One could easily just remove the offending item easily enough; except when jousting of course....

[@alanshearing7515]

@@michaelstrauss6587 😂

[@_N222]

Finally someone describing behaviour of suspensions! Thanks mate. Great review

[@user-vr4pb2js8g]

Took mine out for first time yesterday. Mates on 1290 GTs all commenting on bumpy parts of the road which my smt just soaked up but at the same time handled twisties no bother. Infact it encourages you to push in the twisties

[@Cdmpf]

Does it throw water to rider? Do you need rear or front fender while driving in rain or wet asphalt?

[@fokjohnpainkiller]

Inb4 it throws check engine lights after a quick wash (with a hose mind you, not a pressure washer)

[@user-vr4pb2js8g]

I now own your test bike. A lot of fun on Scottish B roads

[@quacker998]

The carbed 950 was the daddy

[@muertinix]

Grand daddy

[@jun701]

The real question that review of this bike should address is, why this bike over 1290SAS or 690SMCR?

[@fizzhogg23]

I traded a 21 year sas for the smt It's just as comfortable it handles better It's lighter it has better mpg and you can definitely tour on it the extra tech on the sas is not needed It's just good if you want it

[@jun701]

@@fizzhogg23 do you like smt better than 1290? What aspect does suit you better? - I have 690 now, and thinking whether I go for 1290 sas or 890smt.

[@fizzhogg23]

@@jun701 I do like it better I edited my comment above to add more must of been at same time as your reply 😁 Test them both if you have the 690 already, you might think the 1290 would be better addition to the garage if you are keeping the 690 I wanted a bike to take for a blast and tour

[@jun701]

@@fizzhogg23 Thank you for sharing detailed explanation 👍🏻 I live in California (US), and in here it’s either twisties around home or at least minimum 100+ mile highway travel 😅. If I can afford both then 690+1290 would be dream but 890smt might be actually the best one stop solution. I’ll check out 890 once it becomes available in the US. With 890smt, can I cruise comfortably with 80-90mph? (128-145km) Thank you!

[@fizzhogg23]

@jun701 ye, it will cruise comfortably at 90mph. I don't do motorway (highway) riding much, tho if i did, I would probably put a bigger screen on it

[@GCTO239]

Are you serious? You completely forgot the Hypermotard as a competitor even if it lacks a bit in the touring section. But the SMT will also not be used for touring primarily.

[@ricochico2k]

I had Hypermotard 950, it was a total hooligan. I think this would be similar, just faired instead of Hyper's naked.

[@onwilson2]

Good review, but you for forgot to mention how well this "supermoto" can drift and wheelie 😂

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

The angle of the high mudguard is wrong. Overall, an odd-looking bike. I still think my Buell Ulysses is the best bike of this type.

[@brucespence3509]

Just what does super, super roomy and super manoeuvrable mean?

[@_N222]

Super roomy in a supermoto, super manoeuvrable in a supermoto, everything is super. If you see the review videos of Hypermotard, everything is hyper. Get it?

[@brucespence3509]

@@_N222 stop making poor excuses for his lack of vocabulary. Super roomy and super manoeuvrable have no meaning in the English language.

[@fizzhogg23]

​@@brucespence3509same as people saying very very good wtf is wrong with that

[@brucespence3509]

@@fizzhogg23 absolutely nothing wrong with saying something is very roomy because it is grammatically correct whereas super roomy is not. It is another bastardisation of the English language by our American cousins which commentators appear only too happy to adopt.

[@fizzhogg23]

@brucespence3509 No one cares, just you get a hobby The English language never stays the same. It evolves it always has

[@monzadh]

104HP and suspension by Apex??😮

[@BarnettSpeedSuzukiThou]

Like watching an overdubed foreign language water softner advert, lol.

[@GCTO239]

The 990 SMT was a cool and original bike with a really charismatic engine. Sorry, try again. KTM really lost its plot.

[@leviefrauim1425]

KTM screwed the pooch on this one, at least for me. If they had made it into a proper, lightweight ST- bags, moderate wind deflecting bodywork and adjustable windscreen, cruise control, etc., then I think KTM would have had an actual remodel of the 990 SMT. Nope, not for me.

[@anthonynewton7987]

They already have that bike, it’s called a Super Adventure.

[@mac600uk]

It has cruise control and you can buy a larger screen

[@manresarods4947]

I think put 17” wheels on the 890 Adventure and you’ll have a real supermoto touring.

[@mac600uk]

A friend of mine has just done that @@manresarods4947