2007 KTM 950 Supermoto

Back-road Blitzer

The burgeoning supermotard class of motorcycles offers a sizzling blend of motocross and road-racing designs that can be devastatingly quick on a twisty back road. If you've never experienced a 'motard, think of riding a big dirt bike on steroids, with lots of power, sticky street tires and great brakes – you've got the idea.

KTM's 950 Supermoto (SM) shares the same basic engine and topnotch WP suspension as its older sibling, the 950 Adventure (which has grown to 990cc). To make it handle better on pavement, the 950 SM is blessed with a shorter wheelbase, 17-inch wheels shod with sportbike tires and better brakes. Its potent Dakar-proven, 950cc liquid-cooled LC8 engine is rated 98 horsepower peaking at 8,000 rpm, with max torque of 69 lb.-ft. at 6,500 revs. The sporty DOHC four-valve-per-cylinder V-twin delivers pleasing torque-rich power across a broad rpm range. Torque remains relatively steady from three grand all the way to eight, then tapering off until the rev limiter hits around 9,000 rpm.

Unlike KTM's 990 Adventure and Super Duke, the SM's engine is still fed by a pair of 43mm Keihin CV carburetors with a manual choke. Pull the choke lever, thumb the starter button, and the lanky twin rumbles to life with a lumpy whoumbahh that brings on a smile. Keep the choke on for a few blocks to prevent the light-flywheel powerplant from stalling and after that the engine feels well sorted, with no flat spots or abruptness but great roll-on power. Not that we'd ever do it, but the Supermoto easily lofts the front wheel in first and second gears, and does so faster than you can say "don't try this at home."...

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