KTM might have moved on from producing the 690 SMC-R, which holds records as one of the most hooligan supermotos to have ever gone on sale. The KTM 690 SMC-R came with a 74 hp single-cylinder 690cc engine, which remained the biggest single-cylinder motorcycle engine for a long time. Combining this power-packed mill with a lightweight chassis, the KTM 690 SMC R became a perfect recipe for outright fun.

Taking the hooliganism factor to a new height, here is a stripped-off KTM 690 SMC-R customized by a father-son duo from AMP Motorcycles, based out of Offenbach, Germany. Michael and Allen Posenauer, the co-owners of AMP Motorcycles, have made this motorcycle a stripped-off flat-track racing machine with the soul of a supermoto. The Posenauers have commissioned motorcycles from Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, BMW, and Triumph, and it is the first time they have done something with a KTM. We take a comprehensive look at all the changes introduced in this heavily-customized KTM 690 SMC-R, nicknamed ‘Marshall’ by its owner.

KTMs have always been known for their edgy designs, and the 690 SMC-R is proof of that. Much credit to the sharpness in the visual appeal of the KTM 690 SMC-R is the presence of a plethora of plastic panels.

The first job done by AMP Motorcycles on this customized SMC-R was to remove all of its plastic panels, including the front headlamp cowl, high-mounted front fender, fuel tank surrounding panels, and plastic panels below the seat. The Posenauers even replaced the plastic under-seat fuel tank, which doubles up as a subframe in the motorcycle.

Since the plastic fuel tank was gone now, AMP Motorcycles designed an in-house bolt-on steel subframe and an aluminum fuel tank placed within it. While doing this, they retained the original fuel pump, fuel level sensor, and KTM fuel filler cap made of plastic to keep the costs in check. If you look closer, you will realize that the fuel filler cap, rear loop, and fuel reservoir have the same triangular look.&

With the motorcycle now having a bare-bones appeal as all the plastic panels are gone, AMP Motorcycles began working on adding its personalized touches. The Posenauers created a handful of aluminum blank-off plates bearing racing numbers, which partially hide some of the exposed mechanicals of the 690 SMC-R. While the blank-off plates on the left-hand side are tucked into the gaps of the sub-frame, the plate on the right-hand side is covering the sub-frame from the outside.

At the front, the motorcycle gets a custom front fender and its mounting bracket, while at the rear, it gets a custom-made license plate bracket adorned with an LED tail light and LED turn indicators from Motogadget. The custom KTM 690 SMC-R also gets custom wings ahead of the seat and radiator covers.

AMP Motorcycles chose not to fiddle much with the mechanical components of the motorcycle, with the new version retaining the stock engine, suspension, brakes, and wheels. While the seat here is different, it has the same height and length as the stock seat to not compromise much with the practicality. The side sections of this triangular seat aren’t padded wholly. Instead, they come upholstered around the stock air box.

A New Front Face And Cockpit To Welcome And Amaze You

Since the headlamp and front cowl of the motorcycle isn't there anymore, this KTM 690 SMC-R now gets a large flat board having tapered sides. This board also comes in-built with an off-set rounded LED headlamp while having the instrument console from the stock motorcycle re-positioned above it.

The instrument console is not the only thing retained from the stock motorcycle. Even the LED warning lights from the stock version now come housed in this new cockpit. Other elements from the original version of this 690 SMC-R, which are still in the new customized version, include the handlebar and switches. The motorcycle also features new handguards, CNC-machined controls, Vans grips, and a stealthy smartphone holder. It also gets turn signals on the sides of the front board and rounded bar-end mirrors from Motogadget.

Additional Details And Add-Ons Of ‘Marshall’

The owner of this KTM 690 SMC-R has nicknamed this motorcycle Marshall, which also coincides with the name of a renowned manufacturer of electronics and musical instruments. As a tribute to its signature black and copper theme, this customized 690 SMC-R also gets its mechanicals and flat panels treated with black powder coating, while the frame has been painted in Porsche’s Cognac metallic paint. Even the custom seat of this motorcycle is in the same theme of Cognac metallic.

The other add-ons which round off the changes introduced in this customized KTM 690 SMC-R include carbon fiber touches at places, a beefy-looking sump guard, and an aftermarket Arrow exhaust system.

AMP Motorcycles | Instagram | Images by (and with thanks to) Marc Holstein and Christine Gabler

#KTM #Bike #Supermoto #Moto #Custom