By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Supermoto
KTM 690 Supermoto (MY2007-R) vs Husqvarna SMR 510 (MY2005)
KTM 690 Supermoto vs Husqvarna SMR 510: no fairing, no excuses. Here's how to pick.
You'll find the KTM 690 Supermoto's throttle doesn't ease in at low revs: it snaps on and off, and your clutch hand does the smoothing. The Husqvarna SMR 510's single comes alive once the revs climb past the midrange. It keeps pulling right up to its high redline.
So which one do you buy?
The 690 Supermoto has the edge if…
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Nose ahead: 690 Supermoto
Learning the ropes leans slightly toward the 690 Supermoto. It's down to easier controls and more comfort.
Keeping running costs low
Narrow edge: 690 Supermoto
Day to day, the 690 Supermoto works out slightly cheaper to own. The saving is small.
Daily commuting & city riding
A touch ahead: 690 Supermoto
For the ride to work, the 690 Supermoto noses ahead. Put it down to friendlier manners. Don't let that alone make the call.
The SMR 510 has the edge if…
Racetrack use
Edges it: SMR 510
The SMR 510 nudges ahead once you're on a closed course. Hardly a big enough gap to bank on.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
By a nose: SMR 510
In the twisties, the SMR 510 asks a bit less of you to go quickly. Call it a modest edge.
What makes each one tick
690 Supermoto
The 690 Supermoto's featherweight chassis flicks from one lean to the other on little more than a thought, quick as a racer's. Long hours reveal a thinly padded seat, and there's no wind protection beyond legal highway speeds.
SMR 510
The SMR 510 tips from lean to lean with almost no push at the bars, since it's just 267 lb (121 kg) dry. Long road stints turn punishing on its hard seat, and there's no vibration damping to soften the stiff suspension. On a tight backroad, its race-spec fork and powerful brakes keep the front settled at lean. It dives for each apex instantly.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The 690 Supermoto makes more peak power: 63 hp (47 kW) vs 58 hp (43 kW).
- The 690 Supermoto makes more peak torque: 48 lb-ft (65 Nm) vs 36 lb-ft (49 Nm).
- The 690 Supermoto has the larger engine: 654 cc vs 501 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
690 Supermoto
What owners say
Trade-offs
- Hard seat and minimal wind protection
- Jerky low-speed throttle
SMR 510
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive mid-to-top-end power
- Sharp, agile handling
- Race-ready straight from the showroom
Trade-offs
- Demanding maintenance schedule
- Unforgiving for street riding
Known problems to check before you buy
690 Supermoto
- Rocker arm bearing failure The roller rocker arm bearings can disintegrate, leading to catastrophic top-end damage. Regular inspection and replacement every valve check (approx. 6,500 miles) is recommended. KTM partially acknowledged the issue for bikes with full dealer service history.
- Fuel pump / fuel filter clogging Debris in the fuel system can clog the filter, leading to fuel pump failure, hard starting, and stalling. Regular filter replacement and using clean fuel are essential.
- Electrical gremlins Intermittent starting issues and instrument cluster failures have been reported, often traced to corroded connectors or a failing voltage regulator.
SMR 510
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Engine
- Single-cylinder
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| 690 Supermoto | SMR 510 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 34.4 in (875 mm) | 34.8 in (885 mm) |
| Dry weight | 335 lb (152 kg) | 267 lb (121 kg) |
| 690 Supermoto | SMR 510 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 654 cc | 501 cc |
| Power | 63 hp (47 kW) | 58 hp (43 kW) |
| Peak power at | 7,500 rpm | 8,000 rpm |
| Torque | 48 lb-ft (65 Nm) | 36 lb-ft (49 Nm) |
| 690 Supermoto | SMR 510 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 3.6 US gal (13.5 L) | 2.4 US gal (9.1 L) |
| 690 Supermoto | SMR 510 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 160/60-17 | 150/60-17 |
| Wheelbase | 57.5 in (1460 mm) | 58.9 in (1496 mm) |
| Ground clearance | 11.0 in (279 mm) | 10.6 in (269 mm) |
| Front travel | 8.3 in (210 mm) | 9.8 in (250 mm) |
| Rear travel | 8.3 in (210 mm) | 11.4 in (290 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| 690 Supermoto | SMR 510 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front Suspension Adjustable | Standard | Not offered |
| Rear Suspension Adjustable | Standard | Not offered |
| Slipper Clutch | Standard | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
