KTM SM-T: A New Generation of Touring Travel

In 2009, eager to stuff their LC8 V-twin into more motorcycles, KTM gave us the 990 Supermoto Travel or SM-T. It was more supermoto than traveler, but the upright riding position and perfect ergos meant you could absolutely crush the miles connecting twisty roads.

The SM-T didn’t quite fit in with the likes of a Multistrada and it was more upright than other popular sport-tourers of the time, like the FZ-1. It was lighter than most of the competition and hadn’t deviated too much from its barebones predecessor and cousin, the 950 SM and the 990 SM-R.

Just slightly more fuel and just slightly more wind protection. The SM-T scratched an itch for those of us that were V-twin-loving mile munchers.

Recently, KTM announced they’re bringing back the SM-T. This time, it is equipped with the 890 powerplant and there’s very little question that it’s going to be an amazing machine. The class-leading power KTM has been able to push out of the hotter versions of the 890 parallel will mean the SM-T will be plenty rowdy.

But is it the beastly tourer many of us have been hoping for? Will it capture the spirit of the old SM-T?