The market for touring motorcycles is fragmented. Riders can choose between traditional cruisers, sport-tourers adapted from aggressive machines, or the newer crossover models blending ADV practicality with sport-touring performance. This proliferation of choice can be overwhelming. However, the KTM 890 SMT stands out as a unique option: a motorcycle that delivers a relaxed yet engaging touring experience in an unexpected package.
Rethinking the Touring Formula
The 890 SMT defies convention by taking a supermotard platform—a style historically unsuited for long-distance riding—and transforming it into a comfortable, capable tourer. This is achieved through a blend of thoughtful engineering and KTM’s signature aggressive character. The result is a machine that’s as happy to carve through canyon roads as it is to eat up highway miles.
Performance and Pricing: A Premium Proposition
The KTM 890 SMT is priced at $13,949. This places it squarely in the premium mid-weight touring segment. However, the base price only includes essential features. Upgrading to the “Tech Pack” adds $900, unlocking cruise control and a two-way quickshifter, bringing the total to almost $15,000. While expensive, the SMT offers a distinctive experience that competitors struggle to match.
Engine: Rev-Happy and Refined
At the heart of the 890 SMT is a 270-degree parallel-twin engine displacing 889 cc. This powerplant delivers 103 horsepower at 8,000 RPM and 74 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 RPM. It’s an engine that rewards spirited riding but remains compliant enough for relaxed highway cruising. A six-speed manual gearbox and chain drive transmit power to the rear wheel.
The bike is equipped with a by-wire throttle and a six-axis IMU, enabling advanced electronic rider aids such as ride modes, cornering traction control, and wheelie control. However, be aware that some key features (cruise control, quickshifter) are locked behind the optional Tech Pack.
Chassis: A Hybrid Approach
The 890 SMT’s chassis is a fusion of the 890 Duke and 890 Adventure. A chrome-moly steel trellis frame provides rigidity, with the engine acting as a stressed member. The subframe is aluminum. Suspension duties are handled by fully adjustable 43 mm inverted WP forks and a single WP shock, offering 7.1 inches of travel at both ends.
The bike rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels with tubeless tires. Twin 320 mm front brake discs paired with radial J.Juan calipers provide strong stopping power, while a 260 mm rear disc handles deceleration from the back. Cornering ABS is standard, allowing riders to disable it at the rear wheel for supermoto-style maneuvers.
Weight and Agility: A Lean Machine
The 890 SMT weighs in at just 428 pounds, making it remarkably agile for a touring motorcycle. Its short 59.1-inch wheelbase further enhances handling. The 33.9-inch seat height may be tall for some, but the bike’s low weight and balanced chassis make it manageable.
Features and Connectivity: Optional Upgrades
The 890 SMT comes with a 5-inch TFT display, but Bluetooth connectivity, navigation, and music control require an additional “connectivity unit” priced at $168. KTM also offers an extensive range of PowerParts for customization.
Competition: Standing Out in a Crowded Field
The KTM 890 SMT faces competition from the Ducati Multistrada V2 ($16,995), a traditional touring motorcycle that lacks the KTM’s agility, and the BMW F 900 XR ($11,995), which offers sporty DNA but at a higher weight. The Yamaha Tracer 9, priced around $1,500 less than the KTM, presents a strong value proposition with comparable power and features without the hidden costs of the Tech Pack.
The KTM 890 SMT is an outlier. It’s not just a touring bike; it’s a motorcycle that refuses to compromise between comfort and excitement. For riders who demand a unique and engaging experience, the SMT delivers.
