2021 KTM 450 SMR First Ride Review

[Hugh Janus]

Somewhere between hacking the rear end sideways, shredding crossed-up wheelies at corner exit, and chasing motojournalist colleagues nose to tail around Apex Racing Center’s tight and technical kart track, it hit me that supermoto might just be the most fun I’ve had on two wheels. There is something extremely satisfying about ripping laps aboard a supermoto-specific machine like the all-new 2021 KTM 450 SMR, to say nothing of its accessibility and relative cost-effectiveness. Supermoto is just so damn enticing.

But supermoto has almost always been a niche riding category with several, sometimes complicated, barriers to entry. Take the bike build, for example: In the past, assembling a proper supermoto bike meant purchasing a 450 motocrosser and then spending thousands of dollars and countless hours converting it to a proper weapon, with all of the usual trials and tribulations of development along the way.

The 2021 KTM 450 SMR breaks the entry barriers to supermoto by offering a race-ready platform available at the dealership. (Jeff Allen/)

The return of the KTM 450 SMR following a seven-year hiatus looks to change that by offering a turn-key solution to supermoto. For $11,299 you get the potent and proven 2021 450 SX-F motocross platform, ready to rock the local kart track with top-shelf supermoto components straight from the showroom floor.

The 450 SMR shares the same 449cc single-overhead-cam powerplant with the 450 SX-F, which gets a brand-new connecting rod with a copper beryllium bushing for a more free-revving character, perfect for supermoto application. The 2021 SX-F recently recorded an impressive 54.8 hp at 9,500 rpm and 34.6 pound-feet of torque at 7,400 rpm, and we can expect the same for the SMR. Serious stuff. Internally, KTM mated the Pankl-sourced five-speed gearbox with a supermoto-specific Suter slipper clutch for maximum corner-entry speed and consistent rear-wheel slides.

KTM employed the same 449cc single-overhead cam engine as seen in the 450 SX-F motocrosser, except it is fitted with a Suter slipper clutch for supermoto application. (Jeff Allen/)

Like the motocross-only model, the 450 SMR uses a chrome-moly steel frame with the same geometry, except for a specifically designed CNC-machined triple clamp reducing the offset to 16mm (from 22mm). The WP Xact fork and shock with AER air technology have also been tuned for supermoto competition, receiving changes in internal damping settings and a reduction of travel to strike a balance of asphalt and dirt capability.

There’s no lack of stopping power here. A top-shelf Brembo M50 caliper and massive 310mm wave rotor bring the 450 SMR to a quick halt. (Jeff Allen/)

KTM fitted a set of Bridgestone Battlax racing slicks to Alpina tubeless spoked wheels (16.5-inch front, 17-inch rear) to the SMR. A massive four-piston superbike-spec Brembo M50 caliper clamping to a 310mm wave rotor up front brings the 450 SMR to a screeching halt, with a radial Brembo front master cylinder equipped to help administer brake pressure. A single 220mm wave rotor and single-piston caliper handle rear braking duties.

The 450 SMR also employs the same WP Xact fork as the SX-F, but gets specially tuned internal damping settings. (Jeff Allen/)

The 450 SMR offers addictive entertainment at any pace, but it’s a true track slayer if hammered. KTM struck riches in optimizing the chassis for supermoto handling, finding an incredible balance between agility and confidence-inspiring feel and composure. The SMR smashes apexes with pinpoint precision and carves side-to-side transitions with such minimal effort it’s almost mind control. The grip, consistency, and feel of the Bridgestone slicks is mind boggling, with no hesitation when pushed harder every lap. It felt just like the MotoAmerica and World Superbike-level racebikes I’ve ridden in the past, but with far less risk. Kudos, KTM.

The KTM 450 SMR is a menace at the kart track, shredding tight layouts with ease. (Jeff Allen/)

Suspension action and performance of the WP Xact components are on par with the SMR’s agility, with a balance of support for all-out ripping and bump compliance. Adjusting the air pressure on the left-side fork is quick and easy, and allows for a rider-specific spring rate for ultimate confidence. Compression and rebound damping settings are accessed via the right-side fork, though box-stock settings proved capable enough in handling chatter bump compliance while having enough big-hit absorption to hit the dirt section.

Fun? Ridiculously. Supermoto might be the epitome of hooliganism on two wheels, but also serves as a relatively inexpensive alternative to trackdays. (Jeff Allen/)

The consistency and predictability of the 450 SMR are what make it so good, contributing to the amazing experience. The raddest aspect of supermoto? Throwing the rear end sideways at corner entry, hands down. Snap the throttle shut, grab a few clutchless downshifts, apply the brakes, and allow the slipper clutch to work its magic by mitigating rear wheel chatter as the rear tire paints black lines into the turn every dang time. Feel and power of the Brembo braking components is second to none; the 450 stops on a dime.

Add Brembo stopping power to elevation change and float the rear wheel at corner entry. (Jeff Allen/)

The 450 SMR has smooth, predictable power delivery at corner exit, which makes for deceivingly fast straightaway speed. At first touch of the throttle, the KTM offers crisp, tractable acceleration before rocketing off the corner with the front wheel pointed skyward. In fact, the engine is so smooth and rider-friendly that you could disable the optional traction control system and choose the more aggressive Map 1 (of the two selectable throttle maps) with zero hesitation on a clean, dry racetrack. But should conditions change, it’s nice knowing that KTM provided an option of a safety net.

The tight confines of supermoto riding make it a relatively affordable yet wickedly entertaining trackday option without the danger of full-size racetrack speed. Here, you can focus on fundamentals and improving your riding skill set without burning through tires, consuming race fuel, and breaking the bank with trackday costs and equipment. Supermoto offers more laps, more racing, and an equal amount of fun. If not more.

The 2021 KTM 450 SMR packs a punch of entertainment, value, and attainability that supermoto has struggled to achieve in the past, but might just spark a craze once more. (Jeff Allen/)

I’ll admit I’ve neglected the supermoto track in recent years, but my experience with the KTM 450 SMR has created an itch that needs to be scratched. The ability to purchase a dedicated turn-key machine like the 450 SMR straight from the dealership without the regular barriers of entry makes me question why I don’t already have one in the garage.

Just a few more laps, KTM. Please.

2021 KTM 450 SMR Specs

MSRP:	$11,299
Engine:	450cc, SOHC, liquid-cooled single
Bore x Stroke:	95.0 x 63.4mm
Transmission/Final Drive:	5-speed/chain
Claimed Horsepower:	60 hp
Fuel System:	Fuel injection w/ 44mm throttle body
Clutch:	Wet, multiplate
Frame:	Central double-cradle chrome-moly
Front Suspension:	WP Xact inverted 48mm, fully adjustable
Rear Suspension:	WP Xact monoshock, fully adjustable
Front Brake:	4-piston Brembo M50 radial-mount Monoblock caliper, 310mm disc
Rear Brake:	1-piston Brembo caliper, 220mm disc
Wheels, Front/Rear:	Alpina; 16.5 x 3.5 in. / 17 x 5.0 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	Bridgestone Battlax Supermotard; 120/600-16.5 / 165/630-17
Rake:	26.1°
Wheelbase:	57.8 in.
Ground Clearance:	11.4 in.
Seat Height:	35.0 in.
Fuel Capacity:	1.9 gal.
Claimed Wet Weight:	225 lb. w/o fuel
Availability:	Now
Contact:	ktm.com

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