Rennie Scaysbrook | November 21, 2023
Earlier this year, the European press was delighted to know they would soon be receiving KTM’s spanking new 890 SMT for 2023. The U.S., however, was left a little sad.
That’s changed today as news has filtered through we will indeed be getting the SMT as a 2024 model, with units expected to arrive in December 2023—with a $13,949 MSRP announced by KTM USA.
The SMT has been missing from KTM’s international line-up for 10 years now, the last model hitting dealer floors back in 2013 in 990 cc guise. The 890 SMT, however, is a totally different animal and uses the 890 Adventure’s LC8c, six-speed parallel-twin as its beating heart, with KTM claiming 105 hp at 8000 rpm.
The main difference for the 2024 KTM 890 SMT is in the chassis and ergonomics. The 890 SMT uses a slightly revised version of the 890 ADV’s tubular steel chassis, but with slightly tighter geometry by dropping the steering rake from 26.3° to 25.8°, and a 22 mm reduction in wheelbase to 1502 mm/59.13 in. This is despite the SMT having a longer swingarm and the shock mounted at a shallower angle, which in turn reduces the seat height from 34.6 inches to 33.8 inches.
Suspension comes in the form of WP’s 43 mm APEX fork and shock, with compression and rebound damping adjustment available up front and preload and rebound damping adjustment available on the shock, with 7.09 in. wheel travel at both ends.
Michelin supply their PowerGP tires as standard fitment and the brakes are dual KTM-branded four-piston radially-mounted calipers clamping 320 mm discs up front and a twin-piston caliper biting a 260 mm disc at the rear. These are of course mated to the Bosch 9.3 MP Cornering ABS with Supermoto mode that allows you to disengage ABS on the rear so you can pretend you’re Chris Fillmore.
Chris Fillmore doing Chris Fillmore things on the 2024 KTM 890 SMT in Europe.
Ergonomically speaking, the SMT is a far bit cozier than the comparatively expansive 890 Adventure. You sit lower to the ground and further forward on the chassis, up against the 4.17 gallon gas tank. You can change the ergos a bit with the handlebar angle being six-way adjustable over a 30 mm range.
The electronics are as you’d expect including three standard modes of Rain, Street and Sport, and there’s optional Track mode that unlocks the 10-stage Cornering traction control. Other options include Motor Slip Regulation (MSR), up and down quickshifter, heated grips, and cruise control. You’ll get a five-inch TFT display to adjust it all on that can run the KTMconnect App that houses turn-by-turn navigation and other Bluetooth capabilities.
Once the price has been made public by KTM, we’ll update this article.
2024 KTM 890 SMT Specification
| MSRP |
$13,949 |
| Engine |
Liquid-cooled, parallel-twin, four-stroke |
| Displacement |
889cc |
| Bore x stroke |
90.7 x 68.8 mm |
| Power |
105 hp @ 8000 rpm |
| Torque |
73 lb-ft @6500 rpm |
| Fuel injection |
Electronic fuel injection system, 46 mm throttle bodies, Ride-by-Wire throttle |
| Compression ratio |
13.5:1 |
| Exhaust |
2-2-1 |
| Transmission |
6-speed |
| Clutch |
Wet cable-operated PASC Slipper clutch |
| Chassis |
Chromium-Molybdenum-Steel frame using the engine as stressed element, powder coated |
| Front suspension |
43 mm WP APEX fork, compression and rebound damping-adjustable, 7.09 in. wheel travel |
| Rear suspension |
WP APEX monoshock, preload and rebound damping-adjustable, 7.09 in wheel travel |
| Front brake |
Dual four-piston radial calipers, 320 mm discs, Cornering ABS |
| Rear brake |
Twin-piston caliper, single 260 mm disc, Cornering ABS |
| Front tire |
120/70 R 17 |
| Rear tire |
180/55 R 17 |
| Rake |
25.8° |
| Trail |
4.39 in |
| Wheelbase |
59.13 in |
| Seat height |
33.8 in |
| Fuel capacity |
4.17 gal |
| Weight (curb) |
427 lb |
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