2021–2022 · Supermoto · Buyer's Guide
450 SMR (MY2021)
The Closed-Course Scalpel
The Machine's Character
The 2021 KTM 450 SMR is a pure competition supermoto and makes no apology for it. It is built on the 450 SX-F motocross platform, and KTM took off every piece of street-legal hardware so it could focus on asphalt, tight corners and the odd dirt section. The liquid-cooled 450 cc single makes 63 hp in a bike that weighs 232 lb (105 kg) wet. That power-to-weight ratio sets the tone. On top of that you get traction control, ride modes, launch control and a slipper clutch. These are proper race tools, not comfort features, and they belong to a machine built to win on a closed course.
The chassis is where this bike earns its reputation. You get a steel frame, WP suspension that adjusts front and rear, and a 16.5-inch front wheel on spokes running slicks. Direction changes happen almost as fast as you think them, and the lean clearance runs out long after your nerve does. It rewards aggressive, precise riders and punishes lazy inputs. Now the honest part. It is not street legal, it has no ABS, and it carries only 1.8 gal (7 L) of fuel. If you can't trailer it to a track, you shouldn't buy it.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
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| Power | 63 hp (46 kW) |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 450 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 57.8 in (1468 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 11.4 in (290 mm) |
| Front travel | 11.2 in (285 mm) |
| Rear travel | 10.5 in (266 mm) |
| Seat height | 35.0 in (889 mm) |
| Wet weight | 232 lb (105 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 1.8 gal (7 L) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Front Suspension Adjustable Standard
- Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
Drivetrain
- Slipper Clutch Standard
Safety
- Traction Control Standard
- Ride Modes Standard
The Numbers Compared
Compare the technical specifications of the KTM 450 SMR with other bikes in its class.
Head-to-head: KTM 450 SMR vs. its rivals
Power
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
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