- Spotted testing multiple times
- Inching closer to production
- Could debut sometime next year
The KTM 990 SMT test bike images have been doing rounds of the web for a while now. We have now come across new visuals of the upcoming Austrian offering from Europe and here is what it looks like.
The KTM 990 SMT test bike gets a thoroughbred tall stance just like the ADV but what sets it apart are the smaller 17-inch alloy wheels. These give it a completely different look and change the use case as well compared to the spoke wheels we see on the 990 Adventure. The road-oriented tyres could make the bike better suitable for sporty riding as well as touring. Further, the smaller wheels would also enhance the handling dynamics as they offer better agility than the larger units which makes the handling relatively lazy.
That said, the bodywork appears similar to the 990 Adventure and it seems to be ready for production. The front profile housing the center-set LED projector is flanked by two tiny LED DRLs whereas the LED blinkers are mounted further outside and higher. The SMT also gets a decently taller visor which we expect to be transparent on the production model.
The instrumentation will be a TFT screen with all the essential readouts and smartphone connectivity. You can also expect rider aids like traction control levels, ride modes, engine braking levels, switchable ABS, and more. Powering the KTM 990 SMT will be a 947cc, parallel-twin, LC8c engine. It makes 128bhp and 103Nm for the RC R, but the figures are likely to be lower to suit the 990 SMT.
KTM will bring its larger-capacity bikes to India in the next few months. However, it is yet to be known which one of them will make it to the Indian shores.
Image Credits -- BMH Images
