KTM resurrects the 450 SMR after a six-year hiatus

It has been six years since KTM launched a new 450cc Supermoto motorcycle. Lo and behold, the 2021 KTM 450 SMR has finally broken its cover and it’s a race-ready track machine from the orange stable. The company has finally filled the race-bike shaped void in its production line-up.

The engine uses a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) which is conventionally simpler to work on than a DOHC. It also contributes to its lightweight construction of 27.3 kilogrammes, putting out a staggering 62bhp. The five-speed ‘box supplied by Pankl Racing enables specific fuel mapping for each gear while transmission is enabled with a Suter slipper clutch to best on-track response.

In every way possible, KTM has tried to shed weight to create a featherweight Supermoto bike. Evidence of this is found in its 900-gram aluminium sub-frame, CNC-machined triple clamps and die-cast swingarm. Both the Neken tapered handlebar and swingarm are adjustable to suit the rider’s preferences.

Suspension duties are taken care of by WP XACT 48mm air-enabled split-function damping forks which have an insane travel of 285mm, while the WP XACT rear monoschock boasts 266mm of travel. The 450 SMR’s anchors are from Brembo with a 4-pot caliper mounted on a 310mm rotor upfront and 220mm disc out back. In order to exploit its track-oriented capability, the 450 SMR uses 16.5-inch front and 17-inch lightweight spoked tubless wheels from Alpina, shod in Bridgestone slicks. The bright orange graphics lend the bike a menacing character, hinting at its competitive spirit.

The KTM 450 SMR is meant strictly for the North American market where Supermoto racing is a celebrated sport. Thus, we don’t expect to ever see it in India. It probably wouldn’t fare well with its $11,299 price tag, which roughly translates to Rs 8.3 lakh, before shipping and customs expense.