Ducati Hypermotard SP and KTM 690 SMC R in comparison test
Single-cylinder versus two-cylinder supermoto
The heavily revised KTM 690 SMC R reanimated the ailing segment of single-cylinder supermoto bikes. With success. The sales figures show an increasing tendency. Can the single actually do a little better than the two-cylinder drifter Ducati Hypermotard SP?
Good heavens, can’t MOTORRAD top tester Karsten Schwers accelerate out of the curve properly once on the KTM? Carefully apply the gas, shift up at medium revs, draw a clean line. He can not. No, he doesn’t want to. Front wheel up, speed even higher, tunnel vision. Is that how the final panic expresses itself? Take what you can – as long as there are supermoto bikes like that KTM 690 SMC R still exists. Without traction control, without ABS, without driving modes, without common sense – and without a second cylinder.
Ducati Hypermotard SP and KTM 690 SMC R in comparison test
Single-cylinder versus two-cylinder supermoto
KTM 690 SMC R in 19th place in the approval charts
Because the KTM 690 SMC R is indeed one of the last of its kind. Only its domesticated sister, the KTM Duke, the BMW G 650 GS and the good Yamaha XT models still roar in the once popular Sound of Singles. And that’s exactly what bikes like the Ducati Hypermotard SP are to blame. Machines that not only casually generate more displacement and performance from their two pots, but also serve the supplement with a fine smoothness.
But before the tears roll down for the threatened singles, a look at the admission statistics brightens the mood. Because they still exist, the staunch stew lovers. And not so few. The new Duke sells like sliced bread, and the KTM 690 SMC R can proudly wear its orange: 27th place in last year’s sales charts, this year position 19 so far – the Austrian, who costs almost 9,000 euros, can confidently throw herself in the chest with this.
And if Karsten stops, she can even do it before the Ducati Hypermotard SP, which has been completely redesigned this year. Because it only climbed to 32nd place this season – the basic version and the SP model combined. However, their tariffs are likely to thin out the crowd. The standard model costs 11,500 euros, while the SP version costs a borderline 14,900 euros for a supermoto bike.
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Who can convince in the direct comparison test?
Karsten stops. But not for the sake of the KTM 690 SMC R’s ego trip, but for a very mundane reason: A rear-view mirror has vibrated away. This fits in with the clearly defined supermoto alignment of the SMC R. Anything that does not directly facilitate rapid progress is minimized. Turn signals, mirrors and lights hardly dare to disturb the image of the uncompromising hit. Especially after the major revision at the beginning of last year. 690 instead of 654 cm³ displacement, 67 instead of 63 hp and spring travel reduced to 250 millimeters sharpen the character from a technical point of view, sparkling cleanly milled fork bridges or orange-colored anodized rims add a sporty look.
Obviously, minimization also plays an important role in the Ducati Hypermotard SP. The cast frame rear and the exhaust pipe below make a decisive contribution to the new optical airiness of the Italian. But the Duc is more noble than the KTM 690 SMC R. Instead of off-road-inspired simple plastic parts, the elaborately shaped cladding of the front and rear sections as well as the tank and radiator hood create an elegant flowing line. The playful design of the rear-view mirrors or the indicators integrated into the handcuffs also speak a clear language: the Ducati doesn’t think much of racing, especially supermoto. The list of technical delicacies in the SP version doesn’t change that either. Forged rims, Marzocchi fork, Ohlins shock absorber and some carbon covers – all together for a surcharge of 3400 euros – reduce the weight by five kilograms and are ultimately too good for the kart track. For the gravel bed anyway.
V2 of the Ducati Hypermotard SP is a piece of cake
But why does Karsten always hum in advance? Who has the power to control the throttle here? The next straight line gives the answer. The KTM 690 SMC R single has no luck against the 107 hp of the new 821 Testastretta engine from Ducati, measured on the MOTORRAD test bench. With 70 HP he can stand in the drilling just as well. In general, this V2 of the Ducati Hypermotard SP. A piece of cream. The sonorous, bassy sound alone. Splendid. And this boost. It is impressive how easily the Desmo four-valve engine pushes forward from 3000 rpm and then leaps wonderfully lightly through the engine speed range up to just over 10,000 revolutions. The Hypermotard driver involuntarily uses this universality of the short stroke, occasionally dispenses with upshifting and can be maneuvered out of curves at moderate speeds.
The fact that the Ducatist can rely on a ride-by-wire controlled engine management with well-functioning adjustable traction control as well as three levels of adjustable performance characteristics gives the pleasure an additional kick. Which the KTM driver experiences in a completely different way. Because below 3000 rpm, the big stew whips unruly with the chain, over 6000 tours it warns with tingling vibrations to change gears.
In between the music plays. This narrow corridor forces the conductor to use the baton with determination. Upshifting, downshifting, always keeping the 690 on the train – that is what the KTM 690 SMC R demands. Whoever fulfills this is injected with the full dose of her Supermoto DNA. The short-stroke single pulls out resolutely, revs up in a flash, stimulates just the smooth throttle and the clutch that can be pulled with a finger to exploit the potential of the single cylinder. Because 70 hp is a bank. No single-cylinder engine that could be registered was ever more powerful. Every traffic light mutates into a starting system, every curve encourages a daring incline, and every bend invites you to drift into braking. The fact that KTM does without any kind of electronic helpers fits the unadulterated character of the KTM 690 SMC R like the ice-cold morning shower to the outdoorsman.
TRILLION
KTM builds the most powerful single-cylinder approved of all time – 70 hp. But the displacement advantage and V2 concept speak for the Ducati.
Just thinking about it makes the Ducati Hypermotard SP shiver. Or not? Because when it comes to the chassis, the lady from Bologna is leaving her distinguished orientation, which was founded on the famous engine. The sitting position in particular is irritating. The seat recess moves the pilot unnaturally far forward, close to the handlebars. Is it that? Because steering precision is not the strength of the Ducati. In tight turns, the front wheel tilts towards the inside of the curve and must be kept on course with counter pressure on the handlebars. Even in the top test of the basic Hypermotard (MOTORRAD 10/2013) Conti RoadAttack 2 neutralized the steering behavior. A good tip for the SP variant that rolls on the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa Sp. In addition, the upgraded spring elements continue the character of the Hypermotard in the SP version. Because while the Marzocchi fork works properly at the front, the rear also deals hard blows with the expensive Ohlins monoshock. The hardness of the spring cannot even compensate for rebound and compression damping that has been fully turned up on a trial basis. Well-being rarely wants to set in – especially on the supermoto dream routes, the little-traveled, but often bumpy country lanes.
KTM weighs 154 kilograms – with a full tank!
It’s a shame, because that’s where the KTM 690 SMC R is at its best. Be it the sensationally low weight of 154 kilograms (with a full tank!), The still impressive spring travel of 250 millimeters despite the aforementioned shortening or the slim tank-seat combination – the Austrian needs nothing and nobody to fear on this terrain. The spring elements from WP Suspension iron out even the worst asphalt distortions with their left hand, they cut their way along every curve radius with precision, and with bravura they correct many driving errors made in exuberance. However: As with its engine, KTM also expects a lot of commitment on the chassis side.
Whether the proud seat height of 930 millimeters, the narrow and tight seat or the renouncement of ABS – the driver of the KTM 690 SMC R has to consciously get involved with this special, thoroughly honest species of motorcycle. Only those who are aware of this can find happiness with the single cylinder. If you have any doubts, the V2 of the Ducati Hypermotard SP will carefully put on the gas, upshift at medium speeds, draw a clean line – and have long since forgotten the additional weight or the higher price for this cultivated appearance.
Conclusion
If you look at it emotionlessly, only one judgment remains: A two-cylinder supermoto like the Ducati Hypermotard SP is stronger, faster and more refined than a single can ever be. Point. But with the 690 SMC R, KTM has hit the fine line between irrationality and fascination. Whether the full one-cylinder beating and the great handling are worth the moderate running culture of a stew, this decision remains a matter of the heart – just like motorcycling in general.
Ducati Hypermotard SP
Jahn
The top speed of the Ducati Hypermotard SP is 220 km / h.
engine
| type design | Two cylinder oven stroke 90 degree V engine |
| injection | Ø 52 mm |
| coupling | Multi-disc oil bath clutch (anti-hopping) |
| Boron x stroke | 88.0 x 67.5 mm |
| Displacement | 821 cc |
| compression | 12.8: 1 |
| power | 81.0 kW (110 hp) at 9250 rpm |
| Torque | 89 Nm at 7750 rpm |
landing gear
| frame | Steel tubular frame |
| fork | Upside-down fork, Ø 50 mm |
| Brakes front / rear | Ø 320/245 mm |
| Systems assistance | ABS, traction control |
| bikes | 3.50 x 17; 5.50 x 17 |
| tires | 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17 |
| Tires | Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP |
mass and weight
| wheelbase | 1505 mm |
| Steering head angle | 64.5 degrees |
| trailing | 104 mm |
| Front / rear suspension travel | 185/175 mm |
| Seat height ** | 910 mm |
| Weight with full tank ** | 195 kg |
| Payload ** | 211 kg |
| Tank capacity / reserve | 16.0 liters |
| Service intervals | 15,000 km |
| price | 14,590 euros |
| Additional costs | 305 euros |
Jahn
Successful: the 821 Testastretta engine combines smooth running, torque and revving.
MOTORCYCLE readings
| Top speed * | 220 km / h |
| acceleration 0-100 km / h 0-140 km / h 0-200 km / h |
3.3 sec 5.5 sec 13.7 sec |
| Draft 60-100 km / h 100-140 km / h 140-180 km / h |
3.7 sec 4.2 sec 5.1 sec |
| Consumption highway | 5.4 liters |
| Reach country road | 296 km |
* Manufacturer information; ** MOTORCYCLE measurements
KTM 690 SMC R.
Jahn
The KTM 690 SMC R is equipped with a single-cylinder oven-stroke engine.
engine
| type design | Single cylinder four-stroke engine |
| injection | Ø 46 mm |
| coupling | Multi-disc oil bath clutch (anti-hopping) |
| Boron x stroke | 102.0 x 84.5 mm |
| Displacement | 690 cc |
| compression | 12.5: 1 |
| power | 49.0 kW (67 hp) at 7000 rpm |
| Torque | 68 Nm at 5500 rpm |
landing gear
| frame | Steel tubular frame |
| fork | Upside-down fork, Ø 48 mm |
| Brakes front / rear | Ø 320/240 mm |
| Systems assistance | – |
| bikes | 3.50 x 17; 5.00 x 17 |
| tires | 120/70 ZR 17; 160/60 ZR 17 |
| Tires | Continental ContiAttack SM |
mass and weight
| wheelbase | 1480 mm |
| Steering head angle | 63.0 degrees |
| trailing | 112 mm |
| Front / rear suspension travel | 250/250 mm |
| Seat height ** | 930 mm |
| Weight with full tank ** | 154 kg |
| Payload ** | 196 kg |
| Tank capacity / reserve | 13.5 liters |
| Service intervals | 10,000 km |
| price | 8.695 euros |
| Additional costs | 200 euros |
MOTORCYCLE readings
| Top speed * | 180 km / h |
| acceleration 0-100 km / h 0-140 km / h 0-200 km / h |
4.3 sec 7.6 sec – |
| Draft 60-100 km / h 100-140 km / h 140-180 km / h |
5.1 sec 4.7 sec – |
| Consumption highway | 4.2 liters |
| Reach country road | 321 km |
* Manufacturer information; ** MOTORCYCLE measurements
Single cylinder in trend
KTM
Hit: The Duke is selling well.
For a long time, the KTM Duke was synonymous with the rough, single-cylinder fun bike. A machine that, however, has increasingly led a niche existence over the years. For the 2012 season, KTM completely turned the little extremist inside out. More displacement, more top performance, more smooth running and a standard ABS upgraded the Herzog just as much as a lower seat height, more comfortably tuned suspension elements and the price reduced by 500 euros made it more pleasing.
The result: With over 1000 machines sold in Germany in each case, Duke catapulted itself to 13th place (2012) and eleven (as of August 2013) in the registration statistics. Even more impressive: in addition, the road-oriented KTM single-cylinder models (Duke, Duke R, SMC R) sold around 2500 times in Germany alone this season. That would be enough for fifth place in the registration statistics.
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