Is there anything more glee-inducing than a supermoto bike? Probably not, except for perhaps the dirt bike that the su-mo was based on. Good news, then, if you’re into the whole dirt-bike-with-slicks scene: KTM has already updated its 450 dirt bike platform, and has now translated those upgrades to the 450 SMR supermoto for 2025.
That means that hooligan riders will get a bike with a revised chassis and new plastics, although the engine will be the same as the 2024 edition.
Perhaps the most significant change is the new 48mm WP XACT closed-cartridge fork. The front suspension now includes a mid-valve piston design which is supposed to reduce oil foaming while improving internal flow. There’s also a new hydro stop at the end of the fork’s internal stroke, which is supposed to help the bike handle the landing from a full-send jump. KTM also tweaked the linkage and some other minor details on the rear shock.
The frame itself sees some changes to tube-wall thickness and mounts, cutting a little bit of weight and changing the rigidity. So riders can get more lean angle, KTM put new, smaller footrests on the bike. And there’s also new bodywork to improve airflow to the radiator as well, thanks to redesigned tank shrouds.
Although the engine itself is the same as the current model, the single-cylinder motor is now tilted slightly further back, which is supposed to improve the bike’s center of gravity and reduce chassis squat. A slipper clutch comes standard, mated to a five-speed gearbox. With some tweaks to the intake as a result of the changes to positioning (the front sprocket is now 3mm lower), the 450 is rated at a peak output of 63 hp. Note that this engine has two power maps; Map 1 has a linear power curve, while Map 2 builds steam more quickly. KTM also included launch control, a quickshifter and traction control on this bike, giving you the edge at the track… or, uh, wherever else you ride this thing.
Instead of scrawny dirt bike wheels, fat 17-inch Alpine rims come standard, with Metzeler Racetec SM K1 tires. Braking comes from a four-piston Brembo radial-mount caliper and 310 mm disc up front. Stoppies, ahoy!
Wondering if this bike can hold up to our harsh Canadian climate? KTM assures us: “The 2025 KTM 450 SMR has been rigorously tested to ensure it can perform under the most extreme conditions. Supermoto World Championship rider, Lukas Höllbacher, put the machine through its paces in a variety of challenging environments, from scorching 105-degree heat on Spanish asphalt to sub-zero temperatures on ice in Sweden. These grueling test simulations ensure that the 2025 KTM 450 SMR can deliver top performance regardless of the conditions.” So just in case you were wonder, yeah, you can ice-race on this thing too.
Asking price in Canada is… we don’t know. MSRP wasn’t listed in the PR, so ask your dealer if interested.
