First taste test of the new one KTM 890 SMT, whose initials immediately identify the destination. T is for tourer, aptitude for touring, okay, but in the KTM way, which then adds two significant letters, SM, which indicate Supermoto: thus a new segment was born. Conceptually it is a sport-touring, albeit a sui generis one, and it is difficult to say how much one is and how much the other is; after this first contact we can say that it depends on how you want to interpret it, since she is capable of transforming herself into a fierce amusement machine on the mix of a peaceful motorcycle for two, and also for travel.
We have already talked about the details of the technique; here we’ll just go over the main ones just to understand what SMT offers us. We said the twin-cylinder LC8c of 890 cc, capable of delivering 105 HP at just 8,000 rpm, a good 100 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm, and equipped as standard with three riding modes (Rain, Street and Sport), plus an optional one (Track), which allows you to modify all the parameters at will of electronics. He pushes, and really hard, 200 kg or a little more (they are 206 with a full tank), and is supported by excellent WP suspension, adjustable, with a long travel (180 mm on both axles), 17″ wheels (motard style) and very gritty Michelin Power tires GP extension. An excellent package, in short, which on paper already says a lot but not everything you feel when you open the throttle and start dancing between the curves. Let’s see what happens…
We tested it in the Sardinian hinterland, near Olbia, and we must say that the KTM team did an excellent job, finding for us over 200 km of splendid roads full of curves and with excellent asphalt. In addition, it has also reserved a section closed to traffic for us to be able to unleash our CVs without worrying about anything: the best conditions for discovering all the details of the SM soul.
