By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Enduro vs Supermoto
KTM 690 Enduro R (MY2019) vs 690 SMC R (MY2019)
KTM 690 Enduro R vs 690 SMC R: different classes, one choice. Here's how to make it.
Tip the KTM 690 Enduro R into a corner and there's a long fork stroke to compress first. The KTM 690 SMC R's shorter fork sits under wide bars that don't ask for much input. It's turning before your hips settle.
So which one do you buy?
Buy the 690 SMC R if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Gets the nod: 690 SMC R
The 690 SMC R earns its keep in weekday traffic better than the other one. The difference is a smaller footprint and easier maneuvering in tight spots. For a daily commuter, it's the clear choice.
The 690 SMC R has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Slight edge: 690 SMC R
On a twisty road, the 690 SMC R edges ahead. Not by enough to settle it alone.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Narrow edge: 690 SMC R
As a starter bike, the 690 SMC R comes out a touch ahead. Thank more comfort for that. Small enough that a better fit on the other one would outweigh it.
What makes each one tick
690 Enduro R
Highway and trail blur together on the 690 Enduro R, half enduro and half lightweight adventure bike. Its electronics run deep for a big single, and the brake lever works through cornering ABS. The edge doesn't stop at pavement.
690 SMC R
Short-shifting through second and third, the 690 SMC R's single keeps pulling cleanly with no stumble and no flat spot. Over a bump there's plenty of chassis movement from the long-travel suspension, and that liveliness takes time to trust on the road. Corner entry stays nervous. The front SM2 hooks up before it's fully warm.
Nils rode the 690 SMC R in Austria in 2024 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 690 SMC R has the lower seat: 35.0 in (890 mm) vs 36.8 in (935 mm).
- LED Headlight: standard on the 690 SMC R, not offered on the 690 Enduro R.
- The 690 Enduro R has more fork travel: 9.8 in (250 mm) vs 8.5 in (215 mm).
Which one for the way you ride
Keeping running costs low
Not built for it: 690 SMC R
Upkeep on the 690 SMC R works by different rules, so it isn't rated here.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
690 Enduro R
What owners say
Strengths
- Advanced electronics for a big single
Trade-offs
- Questionable long-term reliability
690 SMC R
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Real pull from low revs
- Steers on thought alone
- Brakes you can trust hard
- Grip before the tires warm
- Friendlier than it looks
Trade-offs
- Corner entry stays busy
- 35 inches, no apology
Known problems to check before you buy
690 Enduro R
- Electrical gremlins (stator, wiring harness) Corroded connectors, failing stators, and chafed wiring harnesses have been reported, causing intermittent electrical cutouts and charging system failures.
- Recall 21V792000: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:SLAVE CYLINDER Recall 21V792000 KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 690 Enduro R, Vitpilen 701, 701 Enduro, 701 Supermoto, 2019-2020 690 SMC R, Svartpilen, 2018-2019 690 Duke, and 2020 701 Enduro LR motorcycles. The bellow-style gasket on the clutch slave cylinder may have been damaged during manufacturing, which could cause the clutch to become inoperable and not disengage when the clutch lever is pulled in.
- Fuel pump prone to failure The in-tank fuel pump is a common failure point, often triggered by contaminated fuel or heat, causing the bike to stall or not start. Many owners carry a spare or replace with an aftermarket unit.
690 SMC R
- Clutch slave cylinder failure Recall 21V792000 The bellow-style gasket can be damaged during assembly, leading to clutch failure and inability to disengage. KTM issued a safety recall (NHTSA 21V-792) for the affected 2018–2020 models.
- Recall 21V792000: POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:SLAVE CYLINDER Recall 21V792000 KTM North America, Inc. (KTM) is recalling certain 2018-2020 690 Enduro R, Vitpilen 701, 701 Enduro, 701 Supermoto, 2019-2020 690 SMC R, Svartpilen, 2018-2019 690 Duke, and 2020 701 Enduro LR motorcycles. The bellow-style gasket on the clutch slave cylinder may have been damaged during manufacturing, which could cause the clutch to become inoperable and not disengage when the clutch lever is pulled in.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 2-year-old 690 Enduro R with a 2-year-old 690 SMC R.
- 690 Enduro R
- $10,500
- 690 SMC R
- $9,600
At two years old, the KTM 690 Enduro R sits around $10,500 while the KTM 690 SMC R lands near $9,600. That's a $900 gap in the SMC R's favor. These figures come from earlier market records, not live listings.
What they share
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Power
- 75 hp (55 kW)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
Where the spec sheets split
| 690 Enduro R | 690 SMC R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 36.8 in (935 mm) | 35.0 in (890 mm) |
| Dry weight | 351 lb (159 kg) | 324 lb (147 kg) |
| 690 Enduro R | 690 SMC R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 693 cc | 692 cc |
| Torque | 54 lb-ft (74 Nm) | 54 lb-ft (73 Nm) |
| 690 Enduro R | 690 SMC R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.5 US gal (13.3 L) | 3.5 US gal (13.2 L) |
| 690 Enduro R | 690 SMC R | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 90/90-21 | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 140/80-18 | 160/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 59.3 in (1506 mm) | 58.1 in (1475 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 10.4 in (265 mm) | 9.4 in (238 mm) |
| Front travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 8.5 in (215 mm) |
| Rear travel | 9.8 in (250 mm) | 9.4 in (240 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 690 Enduro R | 690 SMC R | |
|---|---|---|
| LED Headlight | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
