KTM 890 SMT/GT Spied Testing

KTM is working on a new 890 parallel twin platform for 2020, spy shots reveal. Although what the exact model will be is still a bit of a mystery.

Related: 2020 KTM 1290 Super Duke R Spied In Austria

My money would be on KTM developing a 890 Super Duke GT. Rumors have been circulating for months about the impending 890 platform, and many have speculated that the mill would power a supermoto-style machine, possibly as a challenge to models like the Ducati Hypermotard. That could be the case here, since the motorcycle captured testing is clearly not in production dress at the moment, but to me, a GT seems the much more logical option.

KTM has been busy filling in middleweight spaces in its line, and there is a big hole in its sport-touring segment. Currently, the 1290 Super Duke GT is the only "sport-touring" machine KTM offers. Granted, there is only one bike in the supermoto category too, but the design direction of the spied machine is already much more GT than SMT.

Small but important details like the front fender, the seemingly adjustable windscreen, the tank shape, position of the instrument panel, seat shape, and tail section all resemble a bike headed on tour. Of course, it's also conceivable that KTM could strip this machine down and add a 890 to its naked line, just above its new 790 Duke, but that doesn't seem likely.

This new engine is bound to be utilized in multiple motorcycles, and an upper middleweight sport-tourer would be a great way to get the new displacement range started.