2005–2006 · Supermoto · Buyer's Guide
625 SMC (MY2005)
Dirt DNA, Asphalt Ready
The Machine's Character
The 625 SMC is about as undiluted as a street-legal supermoto gets. KTM put the liquid-cooled 625 cc LC4 single in a steel single-cradle frame, added long-travel, fully adjustable WP suspension and 17-inch wheels, and stopped there. It makes 54 hp and 30 lb-ft. Peak torque arrives at just 3,250 rpm, so the punch sits low in the revs where you need it coming out of a tight turn. There are no rider aids at all: no ABS, no traction control, no ride modes. You get a four-piston front brake, a wide handlebar and a very clear idea of what this bike is for.
It's built for short, hard bursts. You'll almost never touch down, it changes direction with barely any input, and the front end tells you plainly what the tire is doing. That makes it a riot in town and on tight back roads for an experienced rider who wants to feel everything. Ownership is the honest caveat. This LC4 wants attention: head and base gaskets can weep, the electrics can act up, and cold starts can take patience. Look for a bike with service records, and check that the factory throttle stop plate has been removed. It limits the throttle to about half its travel.
Hard Numbers
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
Show full specs & equipment Hide specs & equipment
| Power | 54 hp (40 kW) @ 6,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 30 lb-ft (41 Nm) @ 3,250 rpm |
| Displacement | 625 cc |
| Engine | Single-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 59.4 in (1510 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 11.4 in (290 mm) |
| Front travel | 10.8 in (275 mm) |
| Rear travel | 10.2 in (260 mm) |
| Seat height | 35.8 in (910 mm) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.5 gal (9.5 L) |
| Top speed | 93 mph (150 km/h) |
Equipment check
Chassis
- Front Suspension Adjustable Standard
- Rear Suspension Adjustable Standard
Known issues
-
Head and base gasket leaks
Some owners report coolant or oil weeping from the head or base gasket. Failure can lead to coolant loss and white smoke from the exhaust.
-
Electrical gremlins (cutting out, switch melting, bulb failure)
Erratic cutting out can stem from a failing voltage regulator, battery, or side-stand switch. Tail light bulbs frequently burn out, and the headlight switch may melt from excess heat.
-
Factory throttle stop restricts performance
New bikes come with a throttle stop plate limiting travel to about half-throttle. Removing it is a 10-minute job and dramatically improves top-end power, but many owners were unaware at purchase.
-
Difficult cold starting
Some owners report that the engine is hard to start when cold, requiring repeated cranking even in mild weather. This may be due to carburetion or ignition issues.
The Numbers Compared
Compare the technical specifications of the KTM 625 SMC with other bikes in its class.
Head-to-head: KTM 625 SMC vs. its rivals
Power
Torque
Displacement
Top speed
Seat height
Alternatives to the KTM 625 SMC
If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
