KTM 625 SMC (2003 - 2007) Review

Item: KTM 625 SMC
Rating: 4
Author: MCN Staff

MCN rating 4 out of 5 (4/5)

Owners' rating 4 out of 5 (4/5)

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating:	3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£250
Power:	53 bhp
Seat height:	Tall (35.8 in / 910 mm)
Weight:	Low (322 lbs / 146 kg)

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The KTM 625 SMC sits between the no-compromise 660 SMC and the heavier, more road-oriented LC4s in KTM’s supermoto line-up. But it’s not there to make up the numbers. It’s probably the pick of the bunch – combining the niceties of electric start with the harder race-spec SMC edge. New bikes come restricted to 30bhp but it takes about 10 minutes to unleash the proper 50+bhp.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Brrrrrrr – that’s not cold, that’s vibration. And it’s enough to wobble loose nuts and bolts, not just your fillings. The KTM 625 SMC's four-piston Brembo brakes are superb, the fully-adjustable WP suspension way more than adequate and the simple chassis and wide bars conspire to murder every corner wide or acute. It’s not recommended for long journeys. Not with that seat and those vibes, uh-uh.

Engine

Next up: Reliability

4 out of 5 (4/5)

The KTM 625 SMC's SOHC, liquid-cooled single is broadly the same lump that powers the 640 LC4, only minus the latter’s balancer shaft and with a lighter flywheel and 41mm carb. This translates into a vibey, revvy, ride – and one that misses out on some of the LC4’s torque. It comes restricted to a pathetic 30bhp, but almost every bike will have had the full fat 50+bhp unleashed by a dealer prior to sale.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value

4 out of 5 (4/5)

KTM have been providing excellent off-roaders for years now. And the Austrian giant enjoys a well-regarded reputation for build quality. Regular oil and filter changes are part and parcel of the SMC experience. Big single-cylinder power pulses knacker chains, so keep an eye on yours.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

KTMs are dear to buy new; the problem is – the arse has completely fallen out of the supermoto market and used bikes are a dime a dozen. Maybe less. Find a KTM 625 SMC for sale.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Along with the top quality WP suspension and Brembo brakes, with the KTM 625 SMC you get high build quality, cheap-to-replace plastics with a quality look, a digital dash and, good grief, an ignition key. Not all supermotos are so well appointed. No pillion pegs, though.

Specs
Engine size	625cc
Engine type	4v single, 5 gears
Frame type	Tubular steel cradle
Fuel capacity	9 litres
Seat height	910mm
Bike weight	146kg
Front suspension	Preload, compression, rebound
Rear suspension	Preload, compression, rebound
Front brake	Single 320mm disc
Rear brake	220mm disc
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	160/60 x 17

Mpg, costs & insurance
Average fuel consumption	41 mpg
Annual road tax	£117
Annual service cost	£250
New price	-
Used price	-
Insurance group	11 of 17 How much to insure?
Warranty term	Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance
Max power	53 bhp
Max torque	38 ft-lb
Top speed	112 mph
1/4 mile acceleration	14.3 secs
Tank range	78 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2003: KTM 625 SMC launched, only minor changes since.
2007: KTM 625 SMC deleted.

Other versions

None.

Owners' reviews for the KTM 625 SMC (2003 - 2007)

2 owners have reviewed their KTM 625 SMC (2003 - 2007) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your KTM 625 SMC (2003 - 2007)

Summary of owners' reviews
Overall rating:	4 out of 5 (4/5)
Ride quality & brakes:	4.5 out of 5 (4.5/5)
Engine:	4 out of 5 (4/5)
Reliability & build quality:	3.5 out of 5 (3.5/5)
Value vs rivals:	4 out of 5 (4/5)
Equipment:	4 out of 5 (4/5)
Annual servicing cost:	£250

4 out of 5 2004 625SMC the best of the bunch

23 November 2017 by Stinkyyman

Version: The best version

Year: 2004

Annual servicing cost: £250

Great SM for the road. Most conversions will not have everything provided in a factory SM, if it does it was way expensive. The bike comes with high quality components, brembo brakes, WP susp.... You can add an exhaust for a bit more power and gear it a bit power (wheelies). I needed to de-restrict the carb.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

5 stars When purpose driven. Not an all-arounder....

Engine 4 out of 5

Pro's Boat load of Torque Runs smooth when tuned Single exhaust for clean look and lighter weight NO cat converter FCR carb, No Fuel injection No counter balancer E-starter Cons Engine noise louder than most singles at idle. Oil change not as strait forward as most.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Vibrates as it should since there is no counter balancer. This configuration provides quicker acceleration than the same bike with a counter balancer. 70 miles or so between fill-ups. Not much gas keeps the weight down making it easier to pull the wheel. Can be used for commutes of 25 miles or so comfortably. I like the seat, I ride a rode bicycle and am comfortable on that seat for 80 miles so the SMC is plush in comparison. It has a sit up position so High speed drone (highway >70) more than a few miles can be uncomfortable. 55 or less is the most fun on this Urban Assault Bike (UAB).

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Doing my own work these have been my costs per year, 35$ synthetic oil and both filters 15$ air filter. 20 $ Other fluids Tires 125$ (tires last two years at 250 a set your milage may vary) 60 EBC organic Brake pads (3000miles) your mileage may vary. 50$ for the occasional failed part from 2004 to 2017. Such as a starter fail 125$, clutch slave cylinder 130$ may be failing now. If you use the dealer KTM's to service your bike it be pricey.

Equipment 5 out of 5

You don't want anything (weight) you don't need on a supermoto, the lighter the better. I think the 2004 was the lightest due to the single exhaust.

Buying experience: Waited and waited the 2004 I thought was the first 625SMC not 2003. The wait was worth it.

4 out of 5 Owning a smc 625

08 May 2016 by Matt R

Version: 2006 SMC 625 Twin Pipe

Year: 2006

The most useable fun on 2 wheels! (Except maybe the 660smc) Will accelerate to 80mph as quick as a 600 sport, and will eat them through the twisties, breaking later and turning in harder. It's a wheelie machine and with aftermarket cans its a awesome hooligans toy.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Extremely vibey, not a comfortable cruiser. Brakes are outstanding, will sit on the front wheel no problem.. The suspension when set up is fantastic, really good feel of what the wheels are doing. Running Michelle pilot power 3 tyres the point you start lose grip is so progressive.

Engine 4 out of 5

The standard gearing and having a lighter fly wheel than the 640 makes for difficult town riding. 30mph is revving in 2nd but too low for 3rd. The engine is a peach an does like to be revved to really make it move.

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

No big problems. - Master cylinder for the rear break seized at about 3000 miles.. - Oil leak from the exhaust header bolts - Starter relay failed at about 4500 miles - Paint on the engine and frame flakes off

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

As it's not a straight forward oil change, dealers are expensive for services. I do services every 1500 miles costing about £40 for parts I get about 46 mpg not that its a concerning factor.

Equipment 3 out of 5

In terms of luxuries nothing, not even a fuel gauge. The 625 does have an electric start, something the 660 does without. Fully adjustable wp suspension, flat sided carb, Brembo brakes

Buying experience: I bought privately in 2015. I paid £3000 for a 06 plate with 2k miles on. You can definitely pick up 640 an 660 for less, but owning a later twin pipe 625 is now a rare opportunity.