Wheelies Are Easy With 690cc
Aaaaaaaah! There’s literally nothing I get more excited for than supermoto news! I don’t own one, and it sure took me a long time to come around to liking them, but supermoto and Hypermotard motorcycles are up there for my favourite type of bikes available. This excitement is what verifies me as the best person to break the news for our AUS and NZ readers regarding the release of the upcoming 2021 KTM 690 SMC R (and 690 ENDURO R – arguably not as cool as the sumo version… fight me).
The 2021 Enduro R provides riders with a large-displacement offroad MX option despite the slim form factor. The bikes come jam-packed with electronic features such as cornering ABS, standard ABS, TC, and ‘sensitive motor slip regulation’. On the mechanical side, some highlights include the new WP XPLOR suspension (I have an entire article as to why this system is awesome), and the 74 horsepower 693cc drivetrain.
The 2021 KTM 690 SMC R takes that same package and tailors it for absolute pure and unadulterated hooning with a full street-setup. Many technical features from the Enduro R make their way over (they’re almost the same bike), but the WP APEX suspension, upgraded Brembo brakes, street tires, and some updated visual elements set this bike apart from its off-road-oriented brother. “Supermoto bikes aren’t just for hooning and wheelies, Chase” many of you may say. If that’s the case… Please explain to me why all of KTM’s press release images for this motorcycle are photos of riders doing burnouts, wheelies, stoppies, and drifts? Ha. Gotcha.
Both Euro5 spec motorcycles will be available at authorized KTM dealers in both AUS and NZ come March 2021. If I can manage to save enough spare change by then, you bet I’ll be buying one along with you. North American Riders should be able to snag one in December of this year.
