KTM 990 SMT Review
— By, Trevor Hedge
Forget that it looks a little like a chook chaser and has a name that would suggest that it’s completely impractical, KTM’s 990 SMT proves a wonderfully versatile sports-touring motorcycle with a chameleon like personality that is seriously addictive.
Slab it along the highway and the SMT proves entirely accommodating. The upright riding position, supportive seat, decent screen and protective handguards make for a pleasant cockpit. It’s even reasonably accommodating for a passenger and the KTM’s generous 19 litre tank returns a range of 300km on the highway.
Peel off the highway and into the hills and the SMT reveals another side to its nature. Top quality WP suspension soaks up the bumps with great suppleness and the wide bars make throwing the KTM from side to side in tight terrain an absolute joy.
Powering out the other side of hairpins the SMT also proves quite handy with a surprisingly responsive 990cc v-twin punching the KTM out of tight turns with a satisfying eagerness. Would sir like to exit on one wheel, or two?
When first released last year the 990 did suffer from fuel injection mapping that left a lot to be desired with hunting at part throttle openings a major complaint. Through the life cycle of the model however KTM have released easily applied software updates that have made low speed running with the 990 a much more pleasurable experience. With the optional Akrapovic mufflers and mapping upgrade the SMT really comes alive and makes for one of the most exhilarating rides you’ll ever enjoy.
The brakes are also very strong. Radial mount Brembo monobloc four-piston calipers clamp on a pair of 305mm discs up front that bite hard enough to require the relatively long (160mm) travel fully-adjustable WP front forks to be stiffened up a little, or your right fingers’ fine tuned to the power of the stoppers.
The rear suspension offers an even more generous 180mm of wheel travel that is quite well controlled and offers plenty of scope for adjustment. With quite radical steering geometry, a short 1510mm wheelbase but generous suspension travel the KTM is a strange concoction indeed. The ride is always comfortable and the KTM simply floats along any manner of road with no hint of a kidney punch to the rider. Even sojourns off sealed roads are well within the 990 SMT’s capabilities.
In very fast sweeping bends the KTM can move around a little on its long travel suspension but only when approaching a go directly to jail, do not pass go and do not collect $200 type of pace.
The 990 SMT comes standard with convenient slip on pannier mounts for the optional lightweight soft panniers. For more serious long distance touring you can option up the aluminium adventure cases and the 37 litre top-box. There’s also an expandable tankbag and GPS mounts in the surprisingly affordable KTM accessories list. There’s even a small bikini fairing style aluminium engine protector that looks very trick and tank protection crashbars if you want to go the whole hog.
The 990 SMT is a well thought all-rounder that proves extremely addictive. Comfortable enough to ride around Australia yet with a fun side to its nature the likes of which you only get with a rambunctious lightweight nakedbike. Even when put up against Ducati’s much more expensive new MTS1200 with all the electronic fruit in a recent Motorcycle Sport & Leisure magazine review the verdict was unanimous in favour of the KTM.
It is part touring bike, part nakedbike, part sportsbike and part plain fun Supermoto bike, the 990 SMT has so many personalities it’s in need of psychiatric care. It’s also the best roadbike KTM have ever made, so good in fact that I’m addicted and am going to buy one. I have never ridden any other bike that combines such a high level of practicality with truly epic laugh in your helmet levels of fun so successfully as the 990 SMT. Do yourself a favour and blag a test ride on one, but be careful, you might get hooked.
| Specs – KTM 990 SMT Engine – 999cc, liquid cooled, DOHC, v-twin Claimed Power – 115hp (85kW) @ 9000rpm Claimed Torque – 97Nm @ 7000rpm Transmission – Six speed manual, chain final drive Seat Height – 855mm Dry Weight – 196kg Fuel Capacity – 19 litres Average Consumption on test – 6 litres per 100km Range – 315km (highway), 250km (fanging) Warranty – Two years Price – $21,000 plus on road costs (KTM are currently slashing prices and an SMT can be had for less than 19k on the road if you shop around) Verdict – ****½ Positives Negatives — Pictorial – KTM 990 SMT Image Gallery | |
