KTM 890 SMT – The Sharp Edge of Practical Thrills

There’s something oddly poetic about taking a machine built for twisty mountain thrill to the very roads where gods are said to tread. Badrinath, a revered Himalayan town, isn’t your average weekend ride. It’s high, it’s harsh, and its roads are a mixed bag of buttery smooth tarmac and back-breaking broken stretches. But when the KTM 890 SMT arrived for a test ride, there was no question, this was the perfect proving ground. Because what better place to test a bike that claims to blend supermoto aggression with touring civility than a pilgrimage route where 200 km can feel like 2000? Let’s talk about this machine, and why it’s not just another orange KTM.

The Approach

The SMT badge is back,and it’s evolved. If you remember the old 990 SMT, you’ll know it was unapologetically wild. It roared, it danced, it wasn’t for everyone. The 890 SMT, on the other hand, arrives with a bit more tact. It’s more refined, yet it hasn’t lost its roots. KTM calls it a mix of touring and supermoto, and that isn’t marketing fluff. Underneath, it borrows the 889cc parallel-twin engine from the 890 Adventure. That engine is already well-known for its torque-rich, eager nature. But KTM didn’t stop there. It borrowed the 17-inch wheels from the 890 Duke and wrapped them in Michelin Power GP rubber, hinting loud and clear: this bike wants corners. The result is a hybrid that makes more sense than it should. But Badrinath wasn’t going to hand out compliments easily.

The Package

First impressions when rolling the 890 SMT out of the truck in Rishikesh? It looks slim. Not Adventure-bike bulky, not street-naked stubby, but something comfortably in between. The front fairing is minimalist, and there’s no massive tower of plastic. The tank is purpose-built: 15.8 liters, shaped like it was carved for movement. Climb on, and the ergonomics are surprisingly neutral. The wide handlebars give you leverage. The pegs are placed a tad rearward, more supermoto than tourer. The seat, perched at 860 mm, feels commanding. But here’s the surprise: even shorter riders can get comfortable thanks to the narrow seat design. Once rolling, the 206 kg dry weight disappears in motion. Electronics-wise, it packs what you’d expect from a modern KTM, riding modes, cornering ABS, traction control, and motor slip regulation. The TFT screen is familiar and crisp, though Track mode and the quickshifter are paywalled extras. That stung a bit, but more on that later.

The Strengths

By the time we hit the twisting climb beyond Joshimath, the SMT had started showing its true character. First, the chassis. This is where the SMT truly comes alive. The steel trellis frame offers incredible feedback. You lean into a hairpin and it responds with a confidence that belies its touring credentials. The WP APEX 43mm forks and rear monoshock strike a rare balance, they’re plush enough for rough Himalayan patches, but tight enough to keep things in check when you push hard. That engine? A gem. 105 horsepower at 8000 rpm, 100 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm, linear, friendly, but still punchy enough to get you grinning. Throttle response is precise, and even in “Street” mode, it’s eager. If you switch to “Sport,” it sharpens further and makes every exit feel like you’re launching from a slingshot. Wind protection is basic but functional. The small screen manages airflow surprisingly well, and the optional luggage rack and pannier setup (which we used for gear storage) didn’t upset the bike’s balance. The biggest strength though? It’s the confidence. Even on sketchy gravel-strewn turns, or while overtaking at altitude, the SMT never once felt out of place. It encourages you to explore your limits without ever feeling twitchy or unstable.

The First Impression

Leaving Mana Village early in the morning with mist still hanging low, the 890 SMT felt like it belonged. Cold start? Easy. Engine warm-up? Smooth and quiet. By the time we climbed into the 3,000-meter zone, the fueling stayed flawless, and there was no drop in performance despite the altitude. On narrow switchbacks, where mules outnumber scooters and every turn looks like a postcard, the SMT danced. That 17-inch front wheel, combined with the low weight and perfectly tuned suspension, made tight U-turns feel like child’s play. But the moment the road opened up? It blasted forward like a proper sport bike. It doesn’t feel like a compromise. That’s the most surprising part. You expect a little touring clumsiness or some supermoto twitchiness. But KTM’s engineers managed to strike a middle path that’s astonishingly sorted. And let’s talk about the brakes, Brembo calipers biting 320 mm rotors up front. Strong, progressive, and never grabby. Even in downhill sections with wet patches, the cornering ABS did its job without drama.

Technical Specification

Conclusion

The KTM 890 SMT doesn’t pretend. It doesn’t scream “Adventure” with a 21-inch front wheel or try to seduce you with heavy touring luxuries. Instead, it offers something that’s increasingly rare in the motorcycle world: pure, usable fun. In Badrinath’s ever-changing landscape, cliffside roads, freezing mornings, random patches of snow, the SMT shone. It felt alive, planted, and exhilarating without being exhausting. It brought the joy of corner carving and the comfort of a proper day-long tourer into one compact, aggressive package. Yes, I wish the Track mode and quickshifter came standard. And yes, some will find the front end styling too plain. But when the road gets twisty, and your heart wants that supermoto snap without sacrificing practicality, the 890 SMT delivers. This isn’t a bike for everyone. But if you crave that sweet spot between hyperactive fun and real-world usability, this KTM might just be the best-kept secret in the sport-touring game. Would I ride it to the Himalayas again? In a heartbeat.