For street supermoto, choose KTM 690 SMC R for a sharper feel and Track Mode; pick the 701 Supermoto for lighter weight and a stronger 320 mm front brake.
KTM 690 SMC R
Husqvarna 701 Supermoto
Balanced Daily Rider
- Lightest curb spec here.
- Stronger 320 mm front rotor.
- ABS modes for street and slides.
701 Supermoto (2026)
Track‑Ready Feel
- Grippy seat and tight ergos.
- Optional Track Mode features.
- Sport ABS option for late braking.
690 SMC R (2026)
Big‑bore singles make street riding feel alive. KTM’s 690 and Husqvarna’s 701 try to deliver the same thrill with slightly different priorities. You’ll get a fast verdict up front and the trade‑offs that push a rider to one garage or the other.
In A Nutshell
Both bikes now share a refreshed LC4 single with a claimed 79 PS, a 4.2‑inch TFT, and rider‑aid options built for sliding safely. The KTM skews toward sharper ergonomics and an optional Track Mode that puts launch control and slip tuning a tap away. The Husqvarna counters with a lighter published weight, a larger 320 mm front disc, and the same punch in a slightly calmer street package. KTM 690 SMC R technical specs and 701 Supermoto technical specs list the hard numbers buyers care about.
Side‑By‑Side Specs
Numbers above come directly from the current U.S. model pages: KTM’s technical specs and Husqvarna’s model spec sheet. Power is listed as 79 PS on both.
KTM 690 SMC R — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
✅ What We Like
- 4.2″ TFT with a clean UI and app‑driven calls, music, and navigation.
- Optional Track Mode adds launch control, anti‑wheelie, slip adjuster, and motor‑slip regulation—nice for closed‑course days.
- Ultra‑grippy seat cover and lean‑angle‑friendly footpegs help you move around the bike without snagging gear.
- Same claimed power as the 701 with a familiar LC4 punch.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- Smaller 300 mm front disc next to the Husky’s 320 mm rotor.
- Listed weight without fuel is a touch higher on paper.
- Upgrades like Track Mode can add to the out‑the‑door bill if you want every toy.
Husqvarna 701 Supermoto — What We Like / What We Don’t Like
✅ What We Like
- Lighter published weight (152 kg without fuel) and a slightly larger tank.
- Bigger 320 mm front disc with Brembo hardware for strong initial bite.
- ABS choices include Supermoto+ and Sport, plus Cornering MTC for a confidence boost when the road turns tricky.
- Updated LC4 with the same 79 PS claim and a 4.2″ TFT with smartphone nav and media.
⚠️ What We Don’t Like
- Same base price as the KTM, so you’ll pick on feel, not a dollar gap.
- Optional Track mode features are similar to KTM’s upgrade—less of a tie‑breaker than buyers expect.
- Seat and bodywork feel a bit calmer; some riders prefer the KTM’s racier touch points.
690 SMC R Or 701 Supermoto: Which Fits You Better
Performance & Speed
Good news for everyone who wants a single that revs and rips: both bikes list the same output—79 PS from a 692.7 cc LC4 single. That’s marked progress over older model years that hovered in the low‑to‑mid‑70s hp range. On the road, the difference you feel won’t be the dyno sheet; it’s dosing that power at corner entry and exit. Husqvarna publishes a slightly lower weight without fuel (152 kg vs. 153.5 kg for the KTM), and that small delta shows up when you flick the bike from one lean to the other in a tight chicane. KTM’s optional Track Mode counters with launch control, an anti‑wheelie setting, and a slip adjuster. Those toggles make it easier to repeat clean exits when you’re finding a rhythm on a familiar road or a sanctioned course. If you want the leanest spec and more front‑end bite from the larger rotor, the Husky has small but real advantages. If you like tailoring power delivery with gadget‑level precision, the KTM’s menu feels a step more “tinkerable.”
Source specs: KTM’s engine output and dimensions are listed on its U.S. technical page, and the 701’s weight, brake size, and electronics appear on Husqvarna’s U.S. model page. See KTM 690 SMC R technical specs and 701 Supermoto specs.
Display & Build
Both bikes move to a 4.2‑inch color TFT, which matters for more than looks. A compact, readable dash makes ride‑mode changes fast and keeps your eyes up. KTM calls out bonded glass and glare‑reducing coatings, plus a USB port for device charging. The rest of the build reads like a list of supermoto must‑haves: WP APEX 48 hardware at both ends, a self‑supporting plastic subframe/tank unit, and spoked 17‑inch wheels. Geometry matches nearly line‑for‑line. You sit high (899 mm seat) with lots of legroom to stand, load the front, and let the rear step. KTM’s seat cover is extra tacky, which riders in leathers notice the first time they hang off; the Husky’s cockpit feels a touch calmer and easygoing over long street miles. If you live in city traffic and commute daily, that calmer seat texture is a perk. If you plan to spend time in sliders at a kart track, the KTM’s texture advantage is handy.
Safety & Standards
Rider aids are the big 2026 story. Cornering ABS is table stakes. Husqvarna adds Supermoto+ ABS, which intentionally lets you lock the rear under lean to start a slide, while keeping the front stabilized. It also offers Sport ABS for later intervention. KTM lists Sport ABS as an option and highlights its Track Mode ecosystem, which you can enable to fine‑tune slip and wheelie behavior. Both packages include lean‑sensitive traction strategies, so you get a safety net on cold mornings or dusty shoulders without killing the fun. In practice, the Husky’s “+” nomenclature chips a win for slide‑happy riders; the KTM’s Track bundle chips a win for riders who want more knobs to turn.
Software & Updates
Connectivity isn’t a gimmick if you use it well. Both dashes pair with the brand’s smartphone app for calls, music, and turn‑by‑turn navigation. Once paired, you rarely need to touch your phone at a light. If you ride with gloves and want fewer taps, the KTM layout is a shade more direct—menu labels are clear, and the click‑through to ride modes is fast. Husqvarna’s page emphasizes the same core functions, including guidance via the Ride Husqvarna app. Neither bike depends on a subscription for basic dash features, so you’re not paying to keep the screen useful.
Ports & Connectivity
You get a USB port on the KTM and app‑level features on both. For music and calls, the value is in a good helmet comm system more than the dash itself, so budget for a clean audio setup if you haven’t already. Navigation works well for short hops across town or a quick loop to the hills. For big trips, many riders still pin a dedicated phone mount for larger maps; both cockpits have room to do it cleanly.
Warranty & Service
Standard manufacturer warranties apply on both sides, with coverage terms that vary by model year and market program. Oil‑change intervals are called out directly on Husqvarna’s page for the latest LC4 update—15,000 km (about 9,321 miles) between oil services—while KTM provides full schedules in the owner’s manual. If warranty length is high on your list, ask your dealer to show the current factory program for each VIN; dealer‑offered extended plans exist on both sides. The big takeaway: budget for scheduled maintenance and keep receipts in case you sell—the LC4 platform tends to hold value better when service history is tidy.
ℹ️ Good To Know: The listed seat height is 899 mm for both. If you’re on the shorter side, a low‑profile seat and sag adjustment can drop effective standover without changing chassis geometry.
Ownership & Value Snapshot
Here’s how the dollars and day‑to‑day factors shake out. Both start at the same MSRP in the U.S.; the Husky’s brake hardware and weight edge tilt toward street confidence, while the KTM’s optional Track Mode tilts toward customization and repeatable launches at sanctioned events.
Pricing and freight appear on the U.S. model pages for both bikes. Husqvarna’s oil‑change interval is called out on the current 701 page; KTM provides maintenance schedules in owner docs. Links: KTM model page and 701 model page.
Where Each One Wins
🏆 Weight On Paper — 701 Supermoto
🏆 Track‑Day Toggles — 690 SMC R
🏆 Seat Grip For Leathers — 690 SMC R
🏆 Tank Size — 701 Supermoto
Decision Guide
✅ Choose KTM 690 SMC R If…
- You want optional Track Mode features like launch control and a slip adjuster to dial repeatable exits.
- You prefer an extra‑grippy seat and foot controls that feel ready for aggressive body movement.
- You plan to keep a phone tucked away and rely on the dash for calls, music, and quick nav prompts.
✅ Choose Husqvarna 701 Supermoto If…
- You want lighter published weight, a larger front rotor, and slightly bigger tank from the factory.
- You like ABS options that include Supermoto+ for rear‑wheel lock under lean while keeping the front stabilized.
- You prefer a calmer cockpit for everyday street miles with the same power as the KTM.
Best Fit For Most Riders
With base price locked at parity, you’re buying on feel. If your riding skews toward start‑finish marks—repeatable launches, consistent exits, and lots of time in the dash menus—the KTM is the clean pick. The optional Track Mode bundle gives you toggles that matter to riders who chase reference points and want the bike to match their routine on a course or a well‑known backroad.
If your riding is city to canyon with a bias toward back‑to‑back street days, the 701 has a quiet edge. The lighter published weight, the 320 mm front rotor, and the same power add up to a bike that feels planted and forgiving as speeds and angles change. The ABS menu gives you room to slide the rear on tight turns without losing front‑end stability. That’s the kind of confidence feature you feel every weekend, not just at an event.
Bottom line: pick KTM for a sharper, adjustable feel that rewards tinkering; pick Husqvarna for a lighter, braking‑forward package that rewards long street days. Either way, confirm dealer programs, skim the owner’s manual for the service schedule, and budget for a good tire that suits how you ride—these bikes will keep asking you for corners.
Data sources: current U.S. model pages for the KTM 690 SMC R (including the technical specs) and the Husqvarna 701 Supermoto. Always verify local freight, setup, and incentives before you sign.