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New KTM 890 SMT unveiled!

  • Uses a 889cc, parallel-twin engine
  • Comes loaded with rider aids and top-spec hardware
  • No word about its global launch yet

KTM has unveiled the 2026 version of the sporty 890 SMT. Rather than reinventing the Super Moto Tourer formula it introduced in 2023, KTM has refined it, giving the bike sharper styling and a more aggressive road-focused stance. The new orange, blue, and black colour scheme looks striking, and the low front fender now comes as standard, replacing the taller beak-style unit seen earlier. Overall, the bike looks more compact and clearly more focused on asphalt.

The 890 SMT is built around a chromium-molybdenum steel frame that uses the engine as a stressed member, finished in powder coat and paired with an aluminium, powder-coated rear subframe. This setup delivers the rigidity needed for confident handling while keeping mass centralised so the geometry can do its job. For a bike designed to handle daily commuting and spirited weekend riding on twisty roads, this balance of stability and quick response makes perfect sense.

Power comes from the familiar LC8c 889cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine. It produces 100Nm of torque and is managed by a Bosch EMS with ride-by-wire, delivering smooth and precise throttle response. With 104bhp on tap, there’s more than enough performance for real-world riding and even enthusiastic road use.

KTM 890 SMT

Suspension duties are handled by WP APEX components at both ends. Up front is a WP APEX 43 fork, while the rear features a WP APEX monoshock, offering 180mm of travel front and rear. The fork is adjustable for compression and rebound, while the rear shock provides preload and rebound adjustment. This setup keeps the bike sporty and road-biased, while still offering enough travel to deal with rough surfaces and imperfect roads.

The electronics package is well-rounded, featuring lean-angle-sensitive traction control, cornering ABS, and a Supermoto ABS mode. Ride modes include Rain, Street, and Sport, with an optional Track mode for those who want more control. Practical features include full LED lighting, a five-inch TFT display, and optional extras such as Quickshifter+ and cruise control.

Touring-friendly details round out the package, including a 15.8-litre fuel tank, an 860mm seat height, 227mm of ground clearance, and a claimed dry weight of 194kg. All told, the 2026 KTM 890 SMT looks well-suited to real-world roads, blending everyday usability with genuine sporting intent. But will it make it to New Zealand and Australia is yet to be known.

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