KTM isn’t a company that generally likes to mess around with electronics. The recent RC8R has bucked the traction control trend (according to KTM you don’t need traction control if you have traction) so to fit ABS as standard on a bike is quite a big deal. So why, alongside a slightly tweaked fairing, new hazard light and, wait for it, a 12V power socket, has KTM decided to add ABS to the 2011 SM T?
According to KTM it’s simply a “demand thing,” as ABS is now seen as the normal on big supermotos. But rather than just stick on a fairly basic ABS package to appease the market, KTM decided that if it had to fit ABS it would make damn sure it would enhance the bike’s braking and sporty ability, not just be a safety feature. Which is the reason it took them two and a half years to develop. Has it achieved this goal?
Testing ABS in the dry isn’t usually all that productive but handily it decided to rain almost continuously for the SMT’s launch in Spain, meaning we had more than enough opportunity to test the ABS. In these conditions it was hard to find fault. To me, an ideal ABS system is one that you have no idea is fitted until you actually need it, at which point it gets you out of trouble.
Under hard braking in a straight line the SM T’s ABS didn’t really make itself felt until the very last part of the braking zone at which point it pulsed quite hard through the lever to let you know something was happening but still continued to bring the bike to a rapid halt. Like some other systems, KTM’s ABS allows the rear to raise into the air, but only for a brief period before it reduces brake pressure to the front, dropping the back tire onto terra firma again in a fraction of a second. During several hard braking tests I didn’t feel the rear rising at all and there was certainly no swaying from side to side. If it did fractionally lift, the bike remained in a straight line and was under control.
In the interests of stupidity, I grabbed the brake lever a few times at slow speeds as the front tire went over some of the many extremely slippery painted white lines on the road and I was not only relieved, but also impressed at how quickly the ABS dealt with the inevitable lock up with no dramas and more importantly, no broken plastics!
ABS systems are now so good it’s hard to argue against them being fitted to a bike. KTM’s ABS doesn’t make itself known to the rider until you need it and at that point you are going to be very happy it has! As you would expect from a KTM there is the option to turn it off, but I can’t see why you would. I firmly believe that ABS has now reached the levels of performance that make it a worthy addition to any bike, not an irritation.
Engine:
75-degree V-twin
DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Capacity: 999cc
Bore: 101mm
Stroke: 62.4mm