P96
RIDE REVIEW I 2026 KTM 690 SMC R
aggressive Sport mode and be
done with it. Or buy the Tech
Pack and get the Track riding
mode. Then you're really talking.
Unlike many a thumper, the
690 runs a six-speed gearbox,
with sixth being a bit of an over
-
drive, dropping the revs right
down so freeway riding is less
vibey than you'd expect. Accel
-
eration from slow- to medium-
speed corners is no doubt
impressive—the motor will pick
up speed quickly—but at times
it feels a bit jackhammerish,
without sacrificing the engine's
trademark punch.
KTM has also repositioned
the catalyst within the rede
-
signed exhaust system, allowing
for a more compact silencer
and reducing the heat trans
-
ferred up the rider's back. The
service intervals have also been
doubled to 9000 miles for oil
changes and 37,000 miles for
valve inspections.
KTM has used its latest ride-
by-wire calibration for a smooth
-
er transition between on and off
throttle. Around town the engine
pulls from low rpm hard and
fast, but it doesn't like the rider
pussyfooting about. The sledge-
hammer of a piston needs a
solid right hand to get the most
out of it. Anything less has the
SMC R laughing at you.
At its base there are three
selectable ride modes in Rain,
Street and Sport, but I'm not
going to go on about how they
differ in throttle response as I've
done so for the last 18 years
in this job. Stick it in the most
(Left) Even with that small
headlight, night vision isn't
too bad. (Right) One half
of a superbike front brake
for what is essentially a
dirt bike means you'll never
run out of stopping power.
(Below) KTM has managed
to extract an incredible
78 horsepower out of the
692cc engine.
