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Comparison test: single-cylinder supermotos

Husqvarna SM 630 versus KTM 690 SMC

Little weight, large displacement and only one cylinder: with this combination, Supermoto singles ensure high spirits. Now Husqvarna is preparing to attack market leader KTM with the new SM 630.

Uuuh – if that’s enough! The index and middle fingers cling to the front brake lever, the rear tire whimpers tormented by the decisive pressure on the brake pedal, at the same time the left toe of the boot steps down two gears. Full employment in the cockpit. After all: The tight right-hand bend is under control, the line fits – as is usually the case with single-cylinder supermotos.

Comparison test: single-cylinder supermotos

Husqvarna SM 630 versus KTM 690 SMC

KTM 690 SMC and the SM 630 from Husqvarna. It’s been two years since KTM fundamentally modernized the LC4 with the new generation of engines and completely redesigned chassis. Now Husqvarna is stepping up. The previous drift flagship, the SM 610, became the SM 630. In addition to a hydraulically actuated clutch, a more powerful water pump, a more comfortable upholstered bench and newly designed plastic parts, the focus of development work was primarily on the engine. Two millimeters more bore increase the displacement from 576 to 600 cm³, a cylinder head with two overhead camshafts replaces the previous Ohc variant. The point of the matter: the unit should be breathed higher performance and more freedom of rotation.

And for a good reason. After all, the KTM sets the bar very high. The Austrian single-cylinder presses no less than 65 hp on the role of the MOTORRAD dynamometer. Euro 3-compliant and therefore unrestrictedly homologated, of course. To anticipate it right away: The new Husky does not break this record for series singles. 56 HP peak power – four more than its predecessor model – and a maximum speed increased by 200 tours to 8400 rpm – that is what the Italo fan has to live with. He can too.

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Successful line: The Italians have a knack for styling – also under BMW direction. The SM 630 looks elegant.

Because having fun on a supermoto bike doesn’t just depend on the pressure from the big boiler. Smooth running, handling, suspension settings, braking, all of this also determines whether you enjoy a well-groomed drift.

Therefore: straighten up after the bend, set antennas to receive. Sitting position? Sporty, off-road, just supermoto. Especially on the KTM. The stiff bench presses hard into the extended back, while the husky places its pilot slightly cushy or upholstered. The first harbingers of different interpretations? "Yes", the KTM seems to want to answer immediately. Whips the chain briefly under 3000 tours, in order to clean up all the single-cylinder traditions afterwards. How vehemently her stew pushes the Austrian, who weighs 154 kilograms with a full tank, is indeed worth experiencing. The 654 races through the speed ladder in a flash, cheekily lifts the front wheel up to third gear, and barely lets the shift foot come to rest. Clutch, gearshift, everything works directly and easily.

The husky has nothing to do with this hyper-sporty nature. More controllable, calm, the 600 pushes ahead and, with this comparatively gentle appearance, belies one thing: the Husky is not as good as it is. The KTM only needs to have two tenths of it removed from the sprint from zero to 100 km / h (see measurements on page 47). Only during the extended sprint to 140 km / h does the SM 630’s breath become flatter, when the missing nine horsepower is reflected. The Husky, which is five kilograms heavier at 159 kilograms, loses a strong second in comparison. Which does not prevent the Italian from making friends with her calm manner on the country road. Because both the Marzocchi fork and the Sachs shock absorber are comparatively comfortable, so they even appeal to bumpy slopes. As is the choice of tires. The Dunlop D 253 steer pleasantly neutrally, hardly stand up when braking in an inclined position and thus fit into the harmonious overall picture of the Husqvarna. Even the vibrations, a constant companion for singles of this displacement dimension, remain low-frequency and only increase unpleasantly in the upper third of the engine speed.

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Clear line: no frills and efficient. The design language of the 690 SMC also reflects its pure sportiness.

A good-naturedness that KTM is deeply opposed to. You can feel it in every moment: The 690 doesn’t like compromises. A tightly coordinated suspension and the sporty choice of tires (Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa Pro) convey an extremely direct driving experience, making the 690s crave for extremes. Braking hard, folding down, accelerating even harder – this is the pace the KTM suits. And must also follows the pilot. Indecisive behavior is punished with nervous steering when bending, braking in an inclined position with a strong righting moment. A tire change to more good-natured tires such as ContiForce SM, for example, would certainly appease the Austrian in this regard.

However: KTM can also shine with bourgeois values. For example with a very well-functioning slipper clutch or standard tubeless rims. With a first-class workmanship anyway. And especially with excellent brakes. Like the Husky, by the way. Because – as I said – with hardly more than three hundred pounds of Supermoto bikes, the radially mounted Brembo stoppers on both machines make short work of it. One finger is enough. If need be, up to the rollover. Regardless of whether it is the more aggressive KTM stopper or the more sensitive version in the Husky.

Sensitive, the keyword for Husqvarna. With the SM 630, the Italians, who have been part of the BMW Group since autumn 2007, did not allow themselves to be distracted by the shrill and noisy Supermoto company. There is no doubt that the 630 has become a bit stronger, but has remained true to the character of its predecessor. Whether suspension, handling or engine characteristics, the Husky is neutral and good-natured. Whether it can prevail in the supermoto segment against the decidedly sporty and significantly stronger KTM depends on the public’s taste. In any case, one aspect does not only appeal to the sensible: At 7800 euros, the Husqvarna is a good thousand cheaper than its competitor.

Technical data KTM 690 SMC

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More power is not possible: the most powerful series single-cylinder.

Engine:
Single cylinder four-stroke engine
Injection Ø 46 mm
Clutch Multi-plate oil bath clutch (anti-hopping)
Bore x stroke 102.0 x 80.0 mm
Cubic capacity 654 cm3
Compression 11.8: 1
Output 46.3 kW (63 hp) at 7500 rpm
Torque 64 Nm at 6000 rpm

Landing gear:
Frame tubular steel frame
Fork Upside-down fork, Ø 48 mm
Brakes v / h Ø 320 mm / Ø 240 mm
Wheels 3.50 x 17; 5.00 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 160/60 ZR 17
Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa Pro tires

Mass and weight:
Wheelbase 1480 mm
Steering head angle / caster 63.0 degrees / 112 mm
Suspension travel f / h 275/265 mm
Seat height 920 mm
Tank capacity / reserve 12.0 / 2.5 liters
Weight with a full tank (measurement) 154 kg
Service intervals 5000 km
Price 8,895 euros plus additional costs

Technical data Husqvarna SM 630

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Testarossa: new valve train with two overhead camshafts.

Engine:
Single cylinder four-stroke engine
Injection Ø 45 mm
Clutch Multi-plate oil bath clutch
Bore x stroke 100.0 x 76.4 mm
Cubic capacity 600 cm3
12.4: 1 compression
Output 42.0 kW (57 hp) at 7750 rpm
Torque k. AT..

Landing gear:
Frame single-loop frame made of steel
Fork Upside-down fork, Ø 45 mm
Brakes v / h Ø 320 mm / Ø 220 mm
Wheels 3.50 x 17; 4.25 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 150/60 ZR 17
Dunlop D 253 tires

Mass and weight:
Wheelbase 1495 mm
Steering head angle / caster 61.0 degrees / 83 mm
Suspension travel f / h 250/290 mm
Seat height 895 mm
Tank capacity / reserve 12.8 / 1.8 liters
Weight with a full tank (measurement) 159 kg
Service intervals 5000 km
Price 7799 euros plus additional costs

MOTORCYCLE measurements

Drawing: archive

Power on the crankshaft. Measurements on Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EG, maximum possible deviation +/- 5%

Despite the Husqvarna’s four-horsepower increase in performance (compared to the previous model), the 65-horsepower KTM single hits the Italian against the wall. The 690 SMC pulls its aces out of its sleeve, especially when it comes to acceleration and pulling power beyond 100 km / h, with almost identical gear ratios. Pleasing: The fuel consumption of both single cylinders is kept within contemporary moderate limits.

   Husqcarna  KTM
Top speed  170 km / h  186 km / h
     
acceleration    
0-100 km / h  4.6 sec  4.4 sec
0-140 km / h  9.2 sec  7.9 sec
     
Draft  5.9 sec  5.6 sec
60-100 km / h    
100-140 km / h  7.9 sec  5.9 sec
     
consumption    
Consumption highway  4.3 liters of super  4.5 liters of super
Reach country road  298 km  267 km

Conclusion

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With the lively motors of the two supermotos, the front wheel lifts by itself.

1st place: KTM 690 SMC
The highest performance, the most agile handling – this is how the Austrian occupies the two core competencies of a supermoto bike. And perfectly embodies the company slogan: Ready to race.

2nd place: Husqvarna SM 630
Good-natured, homogeneous, user-friendly – with this orientation the Italian deliberately offers an alternative to the extremely sporty KTM. The technical refresher is very good for the Husky.

Scoring

Category engine:
With the highest performance, lively engine characteristics and the best measured values, the KTM engine clearly dominates this category. Only the vibrations typical for singles cloud the picture. A problem that the husky is also familiar with. Praiseworthy: After overhauling the engine, the Italian reduced the distance to the industry leader KTM.

Winner engine: KTM

Category chassis:
With its neutral steering behavior and cornering stability that inspires confidence, the Husqvarna shortens the distance to the KTM. Nevertheless: Agile handling, spring elements that can be adjusted over a wide range and good feedback ultimately give the Austrian a narrow lead. Typically Supermoto: huge freedom of lean angle.

Chassis winner: KTM

Category everyday life:
In everyday life, too, the two bikes are in a head-to-head race that the KTM can ultimately win again. The reasons are mainly in the high quality workmanship. With its larger 12.8 liter tank (KTM: 12.0 liters) and the slightly lower consumption, the Husqvarna rehabilitates itself with its greater range.

Everyday winners: KTM

Category Security:
Excellent brakes are a matter of honor in the supermoto profession. Both manufacturers don’t spoil themselves. Deficiency of the KTM: tires that do not harmonize well with the chassis (Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa Pro).

Safety winner: Husqvarna

Category costs:
More generous guarantee regulations lift the KTM forward. Expensive for both: 5000 inspection intervals.

Winner costs: KTM

   Max points
  Husqvarna  KTM
 Overall rating  1000  524  548
 placement    2.  1.
 Price-performance rating  Top grade 1.0  2.9  2.8

Price-performance winner: KTM
Performance and quality are convincing – despite the 1100 euros higher price.

On the kart track

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Sinn-Bild: Lively engine, aggressive handling – so the KTM pushes itself on the slopes in front of the Husky.

From the street to the racetrack? No problem with supermotos. MOTORRAD tried it out.

Walldorf karting track (www.msc-walldorf-astoria.de) near Hockenheim. Mount the abrasive pads, pay a € 23 track fee (per day!) – race training can be so uncomplicated. And the two Supermoto singles make it just as easy for their pilot. The Husqvarna doesn’t take it easy, just like on the country road. Thanks to the easily manageable use of power and the neutral handling, even beginners can achieve fast lap times in a short time. The only thing that is annoying during gymnastics on the slopes is the bulging knee joint in the front of the tank. The polarity of the KTM is completely different. The lively engine hanging on the gas, the wobbly, but razor-sharp steering behavior or the snappy brakes – all of this demands concentrated effort from the pilot. However, the Austrian rewards him for it. When the stopwatch is ticking, the SMC doesn’t give the husky a chance. Each of the test pilots set their own personal lap record on the KTM (see above for absolute best times). Pleasant: The standard anti-hopping clutch (APTC system) on the KTM helps hobby pilots in particular to avoid a stamping rear wheel when braking.

   Husqvarna  KTM
 Lap time
 (respective best time achieved)
  0: 42.1 min  0: 41.3 min

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