KTM 890 SMT (2023+) Maintenance Schedule and Service Information
This is the maintenance schedule and service information for the KTM 890 SMT, the adventure sport touring motorcycle from KTM with supermoto branding and pretensions.
KTM launched the 890 SMT in 2023 for the same model year. It’s an adventure sport touring motorcycle, much in the same vein as other sport motorcycles with upright, comfortable riding positions and some wind protection, though it’s described as being a “Supermoto” with touring aspirations.
Like KTM’s other 890 motorcycles (e.g. the 890 Adventure), the KTM 890 SMT is based on their 889 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin. It’s a fire-breathing, characterful engine with an offset crankshaft, At peak, it makes peak 77 kW (105 hp) at 8000 rpm, with peak torque of 100 Nm (74 lb-ft) at 6000 rpm. Final drive is via a six-speed transmission and chain.
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KTM 890 SMT Service Intervals
Overall, the KTM 890 SMT, like other KTM 890 motorcycles, has 9300 mile / 15000 km or annual service intervals. At every scheduled service, change the oil and filter, and do a host of checks.
The major service for the 890 SMT is every 18600 miles or 30000 km, at which point you check the valve clearances and change the spark plugs.
The 890 SMT has a cable clutch, which means that you should keep it lubricated and make sure it’s in good condition. However, you only need to change the brake fluid and don’t need to worry about clutch fluid.
KTM recommends changing the engine coolant every four years.
Finally, as the 890 SMT has a chain final drive, you need to regularly service it, particularly when riding in dust and wet.
What You Need to Service the KTM 890 SMT
Below is a list of parts you’ll need for a basic service on the SMT.
| Part | KTM 890 SMT spec |
|---|---|
| Engine oil | The manual specifies Motorex Power Synthetic 4T 10W/50, or another SAE 10W-50 fully synthetic engine oil that meets JASO T903 MA2 spec, e.g. Motul 7100 10W-50. |
| Oil filter | Use Hiflofiltro part HF650, a popular equivalent. (This oil filter is used in most KTM adventure bikes.) |
| Air filter | A high-performance air filter easily available is the DNA P-KT7ADV19-01 air filter. |
| Fork oil | The manual recommends SAE 5 fork oil for the SMT, e.g. Motorex SAE 5. |
| Brake fluid | The manual requires DOT 4 or DOT 5.1, recommending Castrol DOT 4 or Motorex DOT 5.1 brake fluid. |
| Coolant | KTM recommends Motorex Coolant M3.0 or other “high-grade, silicate-free coolant with corrosion inhibitors”. |
| Spark plug | Use an NGK LMAR9AI-10 to change spark plugs. |
| Chain maintenance | Use Motul chain paste, a conveniently small and highly regarded chain lubricant. |
Maintenance Schedule for the KTM 890 SMT
Below is the maintenance schedule for the KTM 890 SMT, adapted from the manual (see screenshots at the end), and simplified somewhat.
We restructured this slightly into a “major items service schedule” and a checklist of items to do at every service.
Major Items Service Schedule
Notes:
- Maintenance schedule intervals for the 890 SMT are 15000 km (9300 mi), with a major service (valve service & new plugs) every two intervals.
- After the end of the service schedule, keep repeating it in this pattern.
| miles x 1000 | 0.6 | 9.3 | 18.6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| km x 1000 | 1 | 15 | 30 | Every |
| Standard inspection checklist (see below) — Check all items. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the engine oil. (Motul 7100 10W-50) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the oil filter (KN-650) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Clean the oil screens | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the air filter, clean the air filter box. | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Change the spark plugs (LMAR9AI-10) | ✓ | |||
| Check the valve clearances. | ✓ | |||
| Change the front brake fluid (Motorex DOT 5.1). | 2 years | |||
| Change the rear brake fluid (Motorex DOT 5.1). | 2 years | |||
| Change the coolant (Motorex Coolant M3.0) | 4 years | |||
| Check the headlight setting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Check the fork bearing for play | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Clean the dust boots of the fork legs | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check the wheel bearing for play | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check the cables for damage and routing without kinks | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check the fuel pressure. | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check the frame | ✓ | |||
| Check the link fork | ✓ |
Standard inspection checklist
Below is the standard checklist of items to do at every service.
| KTM 890 SMT Standard Inspection Checklist |
|---|
| [Dealer] Read out the trouble code memory using the KTM diagnostics tool. |
| [Dealer] Program the shift shaft sensor. |
| Check that the electrical system is functioning properly. |
| Check that the front brake linings are secured. |
| Check that the rear brake linings are secured. |
| Check the brake discs. |
| Check the brake lines for damage and leakage |
| Check the front brake fluid level. |
| Check the rear brake fluid level. |
| Check the free travel of the clutch lever |
| Check the free travel of the foot brake lever |
| Check the chain tension See below for guidance) |
| Check all hoses (fuel, coolant, bleeder, drainage etc.) and sleeves for cracking, leaks, and incorrect routing |
| Empty the drainage hoses |
| Check the coolant fill level and antifreeze |
| Check the shock absorber and fork for leaks. Perform fork / shock service as needed and depending on how the vehicle is used. |
| Check the steering head bearing for play. |
| Check the tire condition |
| Check tire pressure |
| Check the condition of the chain, front and rear sprocket, and the chain guide. |
| Check that the radiator fan is functioning properly. |
| Final check: Check the vehicle is roadworthy and take a test ride. |
| Grease all moving parts (e.g. side stand, hand lever, chain) and check for smooth operation |
| Check the tightness of the safety-relevant screws and nuts which are easily accessible. |
| [Dealer] Read out the error memory after the test ride using the KTM diagnostics tool. |
| [Dealer] Set the service interval display. |
| [Dealer] Make a service entry in KTMDealer.net |
Chain Maintenance on the KTM 890 SMT
You need to service the KTM 890 SMT chain regularly, particularly as it’s a travel motorcycle that you’re likely to ride through rain, dirty roads, and so on.
Use a good-quality and portable lubricant like Motul Chain Paste, which is highly regarded.
| Chain maintenance item | Every |
|---|---|
| Check the chain, rear sprocket, and engine sprocket Chain length: 18 rollers = 272 mm maximum | Service |
| Check the chain tension Chain tension spec: 2-5mm distance | Service |
To check the chain condition on the 890 SMT:
- Put the bike up on a centre stand (or raise up the rear somehow).
- Put the transmission into neutral.
- Pull on the lower chain section with 15 kg / 33 lb of weight.
- Measure the distance of 18 rollers (checking against the max spec).
If the chain is looser than the max spec, replace it, along with the sprockets.
The chain tension check procedure is quite unusual on the KTM 890 SMT. Here’s how you do it.
- Put the transmission in neutral, and put the motorcycle on a flat surface on its centre stand.
- Get the T-wrench out of the tool set.
- Stick the T-wrench in the area between the chain and chain sliding guard.
- Push the T wrench until it is under the screw indicated.
If you can push it just to the screw — the tension is correct. If you can push it more, the tension is too loose.
If the tension is not within this spec, adjust the chain tension.
- Loosen the axle
- Loosen the lock nuts
- Adjust the chain adjuster nuts (evenly, using the reference marks) until the chain tension is correct
See the below diagram for reference.
Wheels and Tires for the KTM 890 SMT
The KTM 890 SMT wears sportbike-dimension wheels and tires. It has cast rims and tubeless tires.
Adjust the pressures according to your own preferences, setup, ride style and conditions.
| Wheel | Rim size | Tyre size | Tyre pressure (cold) Solo – Passenger |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front | 3.5 x 17 inch | 120/70 ZR 17 M/C 58W M+S TL | 2.4-2.5 bar (35-36 psi) |
| Back | 5.5 x 17 inch | 180/55 ZR 17 M/C 73W M+S TL | 2.4-2.9 bar (35-42 psi) |
Stock, the KTM 890 SMT ships with Michelin Power GP sport tires.
Tightening Torque specs
Below are some core tightening torque specs from the manual. There are quite a few more in the manual (see below) for you to peruse.
| Item | Nm | lb-ft |
|---|---|---|
| Oil drain plugs (x2) | 20 | 15 |
| Oil filter cover screws | 6 | 4 |
| Rear axle | 90 | 66 |
| Front axle | 45 | 33 |
| Steering head | 18 | 13 |
| Top triple clamp | 15 | 11 |
| Front brake caliper | 45 | 33 |
| Rear brake caliper pin | 22 | 16 |
About the KTM 890 SMT
The KTM 890 SMT is a re-introduction of the SMT — “SuperMoto Tourer” — product line. It’s a nexus of the “Supermoto” concept — dirt bike-like riding position, modest power, street tires, and light weight — and middleweight sport touring, for motorcycles much like the Yamaha Tracer 9.
While people might be offended by that comparison, they have more alike than they don’t. Because supermotos were, at their core, something much more elemental than what “big” supermoto-style motorcycles have become: They’re usually small-cylinder capacity, single-cylinder bikes with no aids at all on them. Essentially, supermotos (or supermotards) have always been dirt bikes with street tires.
But the SMT is much more closely aligned with middleweight sport tourers. Sure, it might have a lively engine — the KTM 890 parallel-twin is pretty well-loved — but that’s just what gives it its advantage and differentiation. Maybe that’s enough to call it a supermoto… after all, it is a supermoto “tourer”.
OK, enough about definitions. What is it? Think of the KTM 890 SMT as essentially a KTM 890 Adventure with street tires and more comfort. The 890 Adventure isn’t uncomfortable. Nor is it unable to be ridden on the street. But if you’re used to diving deep into corners at high speeds, there’s a certain point at which a 21-inch front wheel and mixed-use tires starts to feel a little… disconcerting, even though it probably still has grip left for days.
That’s where the SMT comes in. It has 17-inch front wheels front and rear, with a 3.5-inch and 5.5-inch rim respectively on each. The stock tire sizes are the same as every other middleweight sport bike for the last decade, with a 120/70-17 on the front and a 180/55-17 on the rear. This gives a huge amount of tire choices, too.
The suspension on the SMT is middle-spec, with not a huge range of adjustability, but likely everything a tourer would need. KTM uses their in-house WP APEX suspension on both sides. There’s also 180mm of travel on each side. If the KTM 890 Adventure didn’t exist, people might have even put dual-sport tires on the SMT and called it a day.
The KTM 890 SMT comes otherwise with a whole bunch of tech — some of which has to be enabled through electronic package options, of course — that puts it near the top of its range. Standard, it comes with ride modes and an IMU that governs both ABS and TC. You can also upgrade to add cruise control, a quickshifter (two-way), and “Motor Slip Regulation”, which helps with low-grip situations and with fast downshifts.
There’s optionally also a “track mode”, if you feel like taking your tourer to the circuit!
In all, the KTM 890 SMT tries to strike a balance. It’s ideal for people who like the tight curves, but acknowledge that 80% (or more) of any ride is getting to and from the destination. Maybe the only thing extra it’d benefit from would be a taller shield to make that journey more comfortable. Oh, also, I’d probably go for optional heated grips!
Reference — Owner’s Manual for the KTM 890 SMT
The above information came from a mix of the owner’s manual, service manual, press releases, and forum information for the 890 SMT.
Below you can see some screenshots for the manual of the KTM 890 SMT.
You can also download the manual directly from KTM here.
