KTM 790 Duke-based Supermoto Spotted

[Update: KTM has launched the 790 Duke in India. Know prices and more details here]

• The 790 SMC is likely to replace the 690 SMC once Euro V emission norms kicks in.
• It is likely to be powered by the same 799cc engine as the other 790 variants.
• KTM could showcase the 790 SMC at the 2019 EICMA.

KTM seems to be on a spree of updating its models. Till now, the updated RC 390 and the 390 Duke have already been spotted testing, with the upcoming 390 Adventure also to join the 390 family. Now though, the Austrian bike maker has been seen testing the 2021 790 SMC, which will replace the 690 SMC once the latter’s engine no longer meets European emission norms. For the uninitiated, the ‘SMC’ prefix means supermoto.

Just like the other KTM supermotos, the upcoming 790 SMC will be an amalgamation of the 790 Duke and the 790 Adventure. It gets the same LED headlamp setup as the 790 Duke. Additionally, the split fuel tank seen on the 790 Adventure will be replaced by a single-piece fuel tank. The handlebar and the suspension setup seems to be the same as seen on the adventure variant (48mm WP USD fork up front and WP-PDS monoshock at the rear).

The footpegs on the upcoming 790 SMC could be moved a bit higher than the other 790 models to suit its supermoto character. Powered the upcoming supermoto is the same 799cc LC8c parallel twin engine as seen on the other variants. In the 790 Duke, this motor produces 105PS at 9000rpm and 87Nm of torque at 8000rpm. However, it is likely that KTM will tune the engine to match its supermoto persona.

The upcoming motorcycle is likely to get all the top-shelf features such as a fully digital instrument cluster, ride modes, traction control, a quickshifter and cornering ABS as you’d find on the other 790 models.

It’s too early to speculate on when KTM might be launching the 790 SMC, however, we expect KTM to showcase a near production-ready model at the upcoming EICMA.

Source: Bennetts