Revised KTM 690 SMC R and Enduro R become most powerful singles on the UK market

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KTM have revealed the full details on their revised 690 SMC R and Enduro R families, with both flavours now powered by a 692.7cc Euro5+ LC4 motor that is said to be the most powerful single cylinder engine fitted to a mass-production, road legal motorcycle.

An update to both platforms has been on the cards for a little while, with a revised Enduro R shown to visitors of the annual Adventure Bike Rider (ABR) Festival in Warwickshire back in late June. At the time, there was little to no detail available, however the Austrian brand has now confirmed tweaks to the motor, onboard technology, and styling.

KTM 690 Enduro R side profile

The same can also be said for its track-centric SMC R supermoto cousin, with both models due to arrive in UK dealers from September 2025, starting at £10,499 on the road – considerably less than Ducati’s £11,295-on Hypermotard 698 Mono.

Both models share the same altered motor, which now produces a claimed 77.9bhp and punchy 53.9lb.ft of torque. The Ducati, which previously held the singles power crown, pushes out a claimed 76.4bhp at 9750rpm.

KTM 690 SMC R parked up alongside a building

Changes to this engine include a revised crankcase, clutch, and stator cover, plus a redesigned oil system – said to boost reliability and performance alike. As before, it’s held in a tubular steel chassis, which is partially visible through the minimalist plastics.

This bodywork – although claimed to be ergonomically tweaked – is incredibly similar to the outgoing models – retaining the trademark motocross-on-steroids side profile while decorated in some fresh colour options.

KTM 690 Enduro R getting air

What’s more noticeable are the improvements to the onboard technology. The outgoing duo’s LCD display made a Casio wrist watch look advanced, but this has been replaced with a 4.2in colour TFT display alongside new switchgear, and a USB-C charging port on the Enduro.

On top of this, both models are treated to cornering ABS and traction control, plus riding modes. The Enduro takes things further with a new Dynamic Slip Adjust, which comes as part of the optional Rally riding mode and is said to apply real-time, terrain-adaptive traction control to keep things driving forwards on the trails.

KTM 690 SMC R on a paddock stand

Given their differing performance attributes, the SMC R runs on road-biased 17in spoked rims, suspended by compression and rebound adjustable WP Apex 48mm forks with 224mm of travel. A mono shock with a remote preload adjuster offers 240mm of movement.

The Enduro, on the other hand, sits on a 21in front and 18in rear wheel, with 48mm WP XPLOR-USD forks providing 265mm of bounce. There’s 250mm of range at the back end, courtesy of an XPLOR monoshock, again featuring a remote adjuster.

The SMC R gets an 899mm seat height, with the longer-legged Enduro getting a lofty 935mm perch. Both are fed by a 13.3-litre fuel tank, and both are said to tip the scales at 162kg fully fuelled.