As manufacturing facility supermotos go, you might do lots worse than the KTM 690 SMC R. That includes a 72 hp single packed right into a taut 324 lbs package deal with sharp dealing with, it’s a motorcycle made for unadulterated hooliganism.
The proprietor of this specific 2019-model 690 supermoto liked most issues about it, save for one large gripe: it carries extra plastic than a Tupperware salesperson. So he delivered it to the daddy and son group of Michael and Allen Posenauer, at AMP Bikes in Offenbach, Germany. Their activity was to individualize it by ditching all of the plastic bits, with out sacrificing an iota of ridability.
We’ve had a detailed eye on the Posenauers since they broke onto the scene. Constructing customized bikes began out as a passion for them—an excuse to spend time collectively. However phrase quickly unfold, they usually finally began taking over commissioned work.
In addition they have a love for flat-track racing, and a penchant for constructing pared-back, purposeful machines. So the transient on this KTM was proper up their alley.
That doesn’t imply that the job wasn’t with out its challenges although. The SMC’s plastic-ness is extra than simply pores and skin deep—strip the bike down, and also you’ll discover a plastic under-seat gasoline tank that additionally doubles as a subframe.
AMP needed to do greater than a standard cut-and-shut to get the look their shopper was after. First, they designed a bolt-on metal subframe that carries over the sporty aesthetic of the trellised entrance half. Then got here the actually arduous half—fabricating an aluminum gasoline tank to aspect inside it.
They pulled it off handily, whereas additionally managing to accommodate the OEM gasoline pump and stage sensor. They usually managed to retain one little piece of plastic—the unique KTM filler cap. Take a better look, and also you’ll discover that the cap, rear loop and reservoir all comply with the identical triangular kind.
Subsequent, AMP formed a handful of aluminum blank-off plates to cover the 690’s innards.
It’s an asymmetrical set; the exhaust aspect options smaller items tucked into the subframe gaps, whereas the best aspect wears one large racing quantity plate. The entrance ‘wings’ and radiator covers are cut up on the left, and built-in on the best.
That quantity board isn’t only for present both. The bike’s proprietor likes taking the occasional bike journey, so it pops off to disclose a mounting body for a aspect bag.
Up entrance is a boxy headlight nacelle that doubles up as a housing for the dashboard. A Highsider LED pokes out the entrance, with the inventory 690 speedo built-in up high. AMP took this consideration one step additional, and in addition transferred the unique LED warning lights to the brand new cockpit.
Simply behind the sprint sits the unique bars and switches, matched to new hand guards, CNC-machined controls and Vans grips. The flip indicators (mounted to the edges of the headlight board) and bar-end mirrors are from Motogadget. A stealthy smartphone mount sits decrease down, simply aft of the bars.
The flat observe affect is obvious right here—however AMP didn’t wish to go all-in on it, for concern of dropping the 690’s energetic setup. So that they retained the inventory suspension, wheels and brakes. Even the seat is identical top and size as earlier than, regardless of its obvious heft.
Take away it, and also you’ll discover that the aspect sections aren’t totally padded. AMP designed them to wrap across the KTM’s inventory air field; the shopper requested that they be upholstered as an alternative of blacked-out.
Different upgrades embody an Arrow muffler and a burly sump guard, and a smorgasbord of carbon trim bits. The entrance fender and its mounting bracket are customized, as is the rear-mounted license plate bracket, which additionally wears a pair of Motogadget taillight and switch sign combo LEDs.
AMP’s shopper nicknamed the bike ‘Marshall,’ which in all probability accounts for why the colour scheme is paying homage to a classic guitar amplifier. The body’s been completed in Porsche’s Cognac Metallic paint, with the seat lined to match. A considered use of black powder coating drives the purpose house.
The road between supermotos and flat trackers may be very positive, and this purposeful machine straddles it effectively. It reportedly rides nearly as good because it seems too, which makes our hearts completely happy.
We’re already visualizing the roads we’d like to unleash this offended beastie on.
AMP Bikes | Instagram | Photos by (and with because of) Marc Holstein and Christine Gabler
