Yamaha MT-09 2016 vs. KTM 390 SMC R 2025
Yamaha MT-09 2016
KTM 390 SMC R 2025
Technical Specifications Yamaha MT-09 2016 compared to KTM 390 SMC R 2025
Pros and Cons in comparison
Pros and Cons in comparison
Yamaha MT-09 2016
The Yamaha MT-09 did not need to be reinvented for the coming season - it already was extremely well done almost four years ago. Instead, the Japanese focus on fine-tuning and adding practical, contemporary gimmicks such as traction control and automatic shifting. Due to the Euro4 standard, however, the engine management has been changed once again and offers an emphatically powerful but well controllable power delivery in standard mode; the power explosion of the first generation is now no longer offered even by the sharper A mode. The biggest change, recognisable at first glance, is the, in my opinion, extremely successful design with the more aggressive front and the newly designed rear. All in all, an even snazzier naked bike that was clearly built for the fun of motorcycling.
KTM 390 SMC R 2025
The KTM 390 SMC R is neither a slimmed-down 690 nor a disguised Duke derivative, but an independent interpretation of the supermoto theme - accessible, suitable for everyday use and yet with enough sharpness for serious lean angles. It does not have a brute radicality, but a clever overall package that confidently covers urban riding, after-work laps and occasional track excursions. The engine is revvy, the suspension can be fine-tuned, the brakes work exceptionally well and the ergonomics allow you to ride a longer stage - without having to fish your knees out of the petrol cap one by one afterwards. With an entry-level price of €6,299 in Germany (plus ancillary costs) and €6,999 in Austria (incl. NoVA), it remains reasonably priced - especially considering the extensive features with TFT display, traction control, supermoto ABS and an optional quickshifter. In short: If you are looking for an A2-compatible bike with character that is not only easy to ride but also easy to understand, the 390 SMC R is a successful blend of rationality and lateral behaviour. And in the end, that is perhaps exactly what the supermoto market has been missing.
