- Is based on KTM’s new 790 platform
- Will be accompanied by a 790 SMT sports tourer as well
- Could be unveiled in concept guise at this year’s EICMA or INTERMOT
KTM was spotted testing a new supermoto machine, the 790 SMC, which is expected to be a 2021 model year. The motorcycle is based on KTM’s naked street bike, the 790 Duke, which is likely to be launched in India by the end of this year. Interestingly, the spy images of this new KTM emerge right at the time of Ducati launching the Hypermotard 950 in India; a motorcycle which falls in the same genre as the 790 SMC.
The motorcycle seems to retain the new-age KTM styling with sharp looking body panels. The headlamp is the same split setup with full-LED lighting while the Bluetooth-enabled TFT instrument cluster will also be shared with the existing 790 models. Moreover, the motorcycle seems to be equipped with a luggage rack at the end of its sleek tail section. The knuckle guards and beak-like front fender lend the SMC a proper supermoto appeal.
Powering the SMC will be KTM’s 799cc, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor which churns out 103bhp and 86.2Nm in the 790 Duke. This motor will be retuned for the former in order to suit its character. KTM has reportedly employed the 790 Adventure’s frame in the SMC, albeit in a slightly tweaked form in order to achieve the traditional supermoto ergonomics. An altered version of the same frame will be used in yet another KTM offering, the 790 SMT, which will be a sports tourer. The pair of these supermoto and sports tourer are likely to make their debut by 2021 in production form while they might be unveiled at this year’s INTEMOT or EICMA, in concept avatar.
The KTM 790 SMC will replace the 690 SMC in the international markets. The latter has never been launched in India. However, looking at the market and demand of supermoto models, KTM might consider bringing the 790 SMC to our shores in the future.
Source - RideApart
