Here are some good things I came up with in the Grom's favor.
The KTM is 7.2 longer in wheelbase
KTM seat height is about 2 inches taller
Grom has a longer stroke from the factory, and boring the cylinder will yield more (also up for debate is that longer stroke means more torque, but that's a separate deal)
Grom is 55+lbs lighter. KTM advertises 127kg, or 280lbs, dry. Honda advertises 225...WET.
And I can't say, but KTM requires premium fuel. I'll have to wait til my Grom comes in and see what fuel Honda recommends running.
Fuel capacity is 1.45 USgal (Honda) vs 2.91 USgal (KTM) - neither here nor there in my opinion, but KTM advertises that their bike has around a 186 mile range, even when ridden on the edge. How far the Honda will go on its 1.45 gallons is to be determined.
But comparing these two is like pitting a CRF150F against a CRF150R. One is designed to be cheap, fun, and get the job done, the other is roughly the same size but is a hardcore machine for all out hooliganism. Even if the KTM was to come out right now in the US, I would still not regret putting my deposit on a Grom. I wanted a small bike, not a regular bike with a small motor (KTM). Hell, for less than $6k you can get a dual sport!
But...if the KTM was a two stroke...I'd be IN!