2023 KTM 690 SMC R Guide

2023 KTM 690 SMC R
Contents: ReviewKey FeaturesFeatures & BenefitsSpecifications

2023 KTM 690 SMC R 2023 KTM 690 SMC R 2023 KTM 690 SMC R 2023 KTM 690 SMC R 2023 KTM 690 SMC R

Contents: ReviewKey FeaturesFeatures & BenefitsSpecifications

2023 KTM 690 SMC R: MAX OUT YOUR GRIN-FACTOR.

Introducing the 2023 KTM 690 SMC R…

The KTM 690 SMC R raises the bar in the supermotos stakes, thanks in part to a lightweight chassis, a legendary 690 LC4 motor and a sophisticated electronics package. Whether you express your tarmac-sliding talent on mountain roads or on the apexes of your favourite track, you’ll be drifting into the future with a maxed-out grin and your veins coursing with adrenaline. Handling is enhanced by the latest fully-adjustable WP APEX suspension, so all you have to worry about is focusing on the road ahead and twisting the throttle to the stoppers.

 

 

 

 

 

2023 KTM 690 SMC R Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

2023 KTM LC4 RANGE – OWNING EVERY AVENUE

The KTM 690 ENDURO R and KTM 690 SMC R have been the class-toppers in their respective disciplines for over a decade. For 2023, that trend continues in typical KTM fashion, fueled by a true READY TO RACE package and KTM North Canada, Inc. is pleased to announce details on the dynamic duo.

At the heart of both the KTM 690 ENDURO R and KTM 690 SMC R, lies the most powerful production single-cylinder engine available. With over 30 years of consistent development, the KTM LC4 has steadily morphed from a 553 cc race-spec engine in 1987 to the fully-fledged693 cc machine it is today.

Not only has the LC4 stood the test of time, but it essentially created a segment unto itself. This has proven to be the ideal baseline for the KTM 690 range, paving the way for two of the most dominant motorcycles to leave the Mattighofen factory.

Having been the go-to dual-sport machine for many years, the KTM 690 ENDURO R receives updated aesthetics for 2023, taking its styling cues from the competition-Enduro range. Now an even more astute enduro weapon, the KTM 690 ENDURO R offers no compromises when tackling hard enduro-type terrain and easy fast-flowing trails.

Not to be outdone, the utterly ballistic KTM 690 SMC R brings an all-new blue and orange adornment to the fray, boosting its overall racing appeal. Built to be thrashed around twisty mountain roads and tear around racetracks by adrenaline-hunting canyon carvers and rear-wheel sliders, the KTM 690 SMC R has been the undisputed supermoto king for nearly as long as the wheelies it pulls off.

Both LC4 machines benefit from Cornering ABS, which allows riders to use full braking power even at big lean angles, traction control, and two ride modes. An optional Offroad ABS (just add a dongle) on the KTM 690 ENDURO R reduces ABS intervention on the front wheel and completely disables ABS on the rear, allowing riders to lock up the rear when they need to slide the rear into a tight turn or drag the brake down a technical descent. Supermoto ABS mirrors this feature on the KTM 690 SMC R, which quite literally pulls out all the stops. When activated, ABS is also reduced on the front wheel and completely disabled on the rear, allowing for big drifts into corners and tire-smoking powerslides out of the apex.

In READY TO RACE form, the added availability of dedicated KTM PowerWear and KTM PowerParts have been designed to allow for the highest levels of performance, protection and mobility to get the most out of your LC4 machines.

 

 

 

2023 KTM 690 SMC R Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

Engine

The LC4 690 cc single-cylinder engine combines powerful acceleration from the very lowest revs with an outstanding free-revving nature and refined engine running. Another big plus is besides the engine being extremely economical with fuel it also has long service intervals of 10,000 km, keeping running costs low.

Cylinder head

A lightweight, compact cylinder head contains four valves and a single camshaft placed over the intake valves, and a secondary balancer shaft driven by the timing chain. The intake valves are actuated by finger followers and the exhaust valves by a rocker arm.

Resonator chamber

A resonator chamber balances out pulses in the intake tract and makes the throttle response smoother with reduced vibrations.

Balancer shaft

Twin balancer shafts, one in front of the crankshaft and the other in the cylinder head reduce vibration, which ensures a smoother ride.

Piston

The lightweight and durable forged piston is designed to reduce reciprocating mass, and therefore improve engine response.

Conrods

Plain bearings are used in the conrod to ensure a reduced reciprocating mass, which helps the engine run smoother and therefore enhances its lively character.

PASC clutch

The PASC (Power Assist Clutch) ensures the rider needs minimal input to operate it, due to reduced engine torque transferring to the clutch plates. The slipper clutch prevents rear wheel lock-up under aggressive downshifting, which reduces destabilizing rear wheel chatter on the tarmac when braking sharply or decelerating into turns.

Transmission

The smooth 6-speed gearbox with Quickshifter+ allows quicker clutchless up and downshifts when you’re on the gas in and out of turns. This not only enables the rider to be more in control of the motorcycle by keeping a full grip of the handlebars, but also improves rear-wheel traction.

Ride-by-wire

The KTM 690 SMC R is equipped a ride-by-wire system, which processes throttle twist grip movements with the help of electronic sensors and activates the throttle valves to control throttle action. This significantly improves the response, giving the rider better throttle control of the potent single-cylinder and a smoother ride.

Injection / Engine Management

Electronic fuel injection and engine management allow performance perfectly suited to the riding conditions. The result: even more and even better controlled power, lower fuel consumption, and less emissions, plus the benefit of features like MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control), MSR (Motor slip regulation), and Quickshifter+. The rider has the choice between two different mappings to influence the engine characteristics. A twin-plug ignition system controls two differently sized spark plugs in the cylinder head independently from each other, for more efficient combustion and a smoother, precisely controlled combustion sequence at all times.

Slipper clutch

Annoying rear wheel chatter? This is prevented by the slipper clutch that’s fitted as standard.

Exhaust

The KTM 690 SMC R features a precisely developed exhaust system made from the highest-quality stainless steel and is emissions compliant too. However, should you want a little more ‘grunt’, the KTM PowerParts catalog features a collection of READY TO RACE hardware to take your KTM 690 SMC R to the next level.

Airbox

Accessing the airfilter for maintenance is easy thanks to the airbox being located under the seat. This makes servicing the bike simple, and stress free, at the end of a long day’s ride.

Chassis Frame

The trellis frame is manufactured from lightweight sections of top-quality chrome-molybdenum steel tubing of varying thicknesses. This type of balanced frame design provides high torsional rigidity for best handling and rideability, while a more specifically-tuned longitudinal flexibility can absorb the wheel impact energy, supporting the suspension for reduced rider fatigue.

Subframe

Tried and trusted – the effective use of the rear fuel tank as the main structural element of the subframe, keeps weight low and eliminates design complexity.

Swingarm

This swingarm design allows for an optimal mounting position of the rear shock ensuring a high progression rate. The single-component casting process eliminates any inconsistencies and weak points that would be inherent in a welded swingarm.

Triple clamp

Highly rigid forged triple clamps with an offset of 24 mm (adjustable to 22 mm), provide a solid grip on the forks for precise handling. They allow forwards and backwards adjustment of the handlebars in four different positions for optimum rider ergonomics.

Front Fork

Maximum Supermoto control is enhanced by the WP APEX 48 upside-down fork. The split fork design developed by WP and KTM has been adapted for the KTM 690 SMC R. It is fitted with springs on both sides with separate damping functions – compression is on the left and rebound on the right-hand side. They have no negative influence on each other. Therefore, damping can easily be adjusted via the dials on top of both fork tubes, with 30 clicks of adjustment each.

Rear Shock

The WP APEX shock absorber is specially tuned for Supermoto and is connected to the swingarm by a linkage. This ensures a progressive suspension character and a high resistance to bottoming out. Fully adjustable, including high and low-speed compression, you can set up the shock absorber to any circumstances and rider preference.

Wheels & tyres

The KTM wheels use lightweight, CNC machined hubs and high-end black 17″ rims to combine maximum strength with minimum weight. They are fitted with BRIDGESTONE S21 tires for maximum performance on the street, and plenty of grip for racetrack usage.

Brakes

The BREMBO brakes deliver class-leading stopping power that is combined with lightweight discs – 320 mm diameter on the front wheel and 240 mm on the rear – to provide a crucial combination of stopping power and a consistent brake feel.

Fuel tank

The KTM 690 SMC R features a 3.6 gal / 13.5 liter fuel tank which acts as a load-bearing part of the chassis, making it stiffer and gives the rider an optimal feel.

Ergonomics & Comfort Handlebar

The lightweight tapered 808 mm wide handlebars are rubber mounted to reduce vibrations. Their width and shape are aimed at providing optimum control in all situations.

Footpegs

The slim profile needed for maximum lean angle is helped by short footrests, while a removable rubber insert ensures comfort with street boots.

Seat

The KTM 690 SMC R features an 890 mm seat height with an all-new blue seat cover that perfectly matches its striking decal set. The seat cover also boasts an SMC-R-specific texture to work with leather race suits to provide grip and uninhibited rider movement.

Software & Electronics Rider aids

Electronic fuel injection, ride-by-wire and the engine management system (EMS) make it possible to offer innovative yet easy-to-use electronic rider aids. These features can be selected, deselected and utilized to put the potent new-generation LC4 motor to effective use across a much wider range of streets, surfaces and conditions.

Ride modes

Two ride modes (1) Street mode (2) Supermoto mode: “Street mode” for sporty throttle response where wheel slip and wheelies are kept to a minimum for optimal street performance. “Supermoto mode”, by contrast, produces smooth throttle response with Supermoto Traction Control, which allows wheel slip and front wheel lifting without hindering performance. The modes are easily switched over from the handlebar, making adjustment to the character of the engine possible on the fly. Traction control can be disabled if needed.

MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control)

The MTC (Motorcycle Traction Control) lean-angle sensitive traction control system reacts immediately the instant the rear wheel rotation speed becomes disproportionate to the riding situation. In mere milliseconds MTC reduces engine output with an extremely smooth, barely perceptible intervention at the throttle valves, until slippage is reduced to optimum proportions for the selected ride mode and current angle of lean. For particularly ambitious riders, the traction control can also be switched off.

Quickshifter +

Quickshifter+ uses two sensors, where one sensor on the shift arm detects the movement on the shift lever rod when the rider upshifts and the system cuts the injection instantaneously. As soon as the second sensor detects the gear engagement it reapplies the injection and opens the butterfly valve, ensuring fast and smooth action at all throttle openings and engine speeds. When downshifting, the system matches the engine speed to the speed of the lower gear.

Cornering ABS

Keeping you cranked over in full confidence, Cornering ABS allows riders to use full braking power in all conditions, even at big lean angles. This is particularly useful when you’re charging along twisty mountain roads or laying down a quick lap time. However, should you choose, Optional Supermoto ABS (dongle required) deactivates ABS on the rear wheel, while only working on the front wheel, with cornering sensitivity disabled.

Supermoto-ABS

Optional Supermoto ABS quite literally pulls out all the stops. When activated, ABS is reduced on the front wheel, but completely disabled on the rear. This allows you to drift the rear into turns, pulling off big supermoto slides and tire-smoking apex exits.

Lean Angle Sensor

A lean-angle sensor keeps track of the angle of the bike and sends the information to the ECU and relevant control units, which uses this data to adjust traction control and ABS actuation.

 

 

 

 

2023 KTM 690 SMC R – Totalmotorcycle.com International Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $ See Dealer USD
Canada MSRP Price: $ See Dealer CDN
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ See Dealer (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

ENGINE
TRANSMISSION 6-speed
COOLING Liquid cooled
POWER IN KW 55 kW
STARTER Electric starter
STROKE 80 mm
BORE 105 mm
CLUTCH APTC(TM) slipper clutch, hydraulically actuated
DISPLACEMENT 692.7 cm³
EMS Keihin EMS with RBW, twin ignition
DESIGN 1-cylinder, 4-stroke engine
LUBRICATION Forced oil lubrication with 2 oil pumps
CHASSIS
ABS Bosch 9.1 MP (incl. Cornering-ABS and super moto mode)
FRONT BRAKE DISC DIAMETER 320 mm
REAR BRAKE DISC DIAMETER 240 mm
CHAIN 520 X-Ring
FRAME DESIGN Chrome-moly tubular space frame, powder-coated
FRONT SUSPENSION WP APEX 48
REAR SUSPENSION WP APEX with Pro-Lever linkage
STEERING HEAD ANGLE 63 °

 

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).

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