KTM 690 SMC R versus Ducati Hypermotard 950
KTM 690 SMC R
Ducati Hypermotard 950
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Competitors
- Sporty
- Incredibly manoeuvrable
- Price
- Everyday use
Dimensions & Weight
Seat : 890 mm
Weight : 157 (max: 350 ) kg
Length : 2.100 mm Height : 1.150 mm
Seat : 870 mm
Weight : 204 (max: 406 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 693 ccm
Hub: 80 mm
Hole: 105 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: X-Ring Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 937 ccm
Hub: 68 mm
Hole: 94 mm
Cooling: Flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 74 HP at 8.000 U/Min
Torque: 74 NM bei 6.500 U/Min Tank contents: 14 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 349 km
Performance: 114 HP at 9.000 U/Min
Torque: 96 NM bei 7.250 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 6 l
Reach: 270 km
Chassis
Lattice tube (chromium-molybdenum) Front suspension:
WP-USD Apex Ø 48 mm (travel 215 mm) Rear suspension:
WP strut (travel 240 mm)
Rear suspension:
Pro-Lever deflection Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 160/60 ZR 17
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
Telescopic fork upside-down (travel 185 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 175 mm)
Rear suspension:
Single-arm swingarm made of aluminium Tyres at the front: Width 120, 17 inches
Rear tyres: Width 180, 17 inches
Brakes
Disc, Brembo four-piston radial fixed caliper (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc, 1-piston floating caliper (∅ 240 mm)
Double disc (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 245 mm)
Conclusion: You want to like them, but it's not easy
Does she get her thumbs up from us? Difficult decision. Even if it is the most agile and consistent Supermoto compared to the competition, it simply has too many flaws for most interested parties. This is not about such things as the lack of suitability for the future or the non-existent windscreen. About such things, dedicated KTM SMC R 690 drivers can only grin, and they are right about it. By the way, there are many fans: The machine is ranked 15th in the current registration statistics.
No, there is one big drawback: it does not deliver in its parade discipline, because it is really fast only if you want to go up the stairwell of the Hamburger Michel. Otherwise there's more show than Shine. If the world's most powerful single-cylinder engine delivers only 75 hp, this is the decisive performance shortcoming compared to the not much less manoeuvrable Ducati Hypermotard with its 114 hp. That's more than 50% more.
The fact that comparisons with Ducatis appear at all is due to the sporty pricing policy of the Austrians, from which even BMW could learn something. For the raw SMC R 690, KTM actually charges 10,799 euros. By comparison, the same engine is installed in the 690 Enduro R for 10,799 euros, the Naked Bike Duke 690 is available for 8,899 euros.
Ducati motorcycles are not considered softies. The Hypermotard may be that compared to the SMC, but for a seat more, the extensive equipment and 114 hp require Ducati 12,490 euros, which is only 1,691 euros more.
But probably this is not for the KTMlers. Yes, it is the most consistent Supermoto on the market. And with it a statement, wonderful.
Thanks to M.A.S. for the test bike.
