KTM 950 Adventure (2003 - 2005) review

KTM are to be congratulated for the most single-minded bike here. It’s the least practical, but the most fun. Only the dedicated need apply
Proper hard-core Dakar styling, and genuine off-road performance. Maddest bike here, whatever the terrain
Hard-core styling and ability comes with hard-core seat and average tank range

The KTM’s dirtbike origins are obvious – the skinny flanks, narrow seat and low-rise Magura fat-bar handlebars are there because the 950 Adventure is a bike with genuine off-road roots, and therefore genuine off-road potential. Its 21/18 spoked wheels aren’t there for show either and where the others all wear cast ally wheels and road tyres, the Katoom was more than ready for the rough with dual-purpose tyres and long travel WP suspension.

But d’ya know what? It’s good on the smooth. and its liquid-cooled 942cc V-twin engine has a frisky, snappier edge. The KTM’s motor is fun. It urges speed, wheelies and general arsing about. In fact it begs for it. And it’ll easily cruise at a ton-plus, even if it does murder fuel. The only other area the Katoom really suffered was on the brakes – it simply doesn’t have the stopping power of its peers, and there’s a lot of dive from the forks. And it ain’t KTM super-comfy.

The 950 Adventure copes with fire trails and lumpy bits like a pro, popping wheelies and generally behaving like a dirtbike should. It’s got a rubbish steering lock, but I love the KTM for hooting through fast, sinuous dual carriageways.

The KTM 950 is a bike that’ll not only knot knickers, it’ll firmly place them on your head – it’s a serious tool, with genuine road and off-road ability, but really it’s just plain fun.
The KTM’s dirtbike origins are obvious – the skinny flanks, narrow seat and low-rise Magura fat-bar handlebars are there because the 950 Adventure is a bike with genuine off-road roots, and therefore genuine off-road potential. Its 21/18 spoked wheels aren’t there for show either and where the others all wear cast ally wheels and road tyres, the Katoom was more than ready for the rough with dual-purpose tyres and long travel WP suspension.

But d’ya know what? It’s good on the smooth. and its liquid-cooled 942cc V-twin engine has a frisky, snappier edge. The KTM’s motor is fun. It urges speed, wheelies and general arsing about. In fact it begs for it. And it’ll easily cruise at a ton-plus, even if it does murder fuel. The only other area the Katoom really suffered was on the brakes – it simply doesn’t have the stopping power of its peers, and there’s a lot of dive from the forks. And it ain’t KTM super-comfy.

The 950 Adventure copes with fire trails and lumpy bits like a pro, popping wheelies and generally behaving like a dirtbike should. It’s got a rubbish steering lock, but I love the KTM for hooting through fast, sinuous dual carriageways.

The KTM 950 is a bike that’ll not only knot knickers, it’ll firmly place them on your head – it’s a serious tool, with genuine road and off-road ability, but really it’s just plain fun.

The KTM’s dirtbike origins are obvious – the skinny flanks, narrow seat and low-rise Magura fat-bar handlebars are there because the 950 Adventure is a bike with genuine off-road roots, and therefore genuine off-road potential. Its 21/18 spoked wheels aren’t there for show either and where the others all wear cast ally wheels and road tyres, the Katoom was more than ready for the rough with dual-purpose tyres and long travel WP suspension.

But d’ya know what? It’s good on the smooth. and its liquid-cooled 942cc V-twin engine has a frisky, snappier edge. The KTM’s motor is fun. It urges speed, wheelies and general arsing about. In fact it begs for it. And it’ll easily cruise at a ton-plus, even if it does murder fuel. The only other area the Katoom really suffered was on the brakes – it simply doesn’t have the stopping power of its peers, and there’s a lot of dive from the forks. And it ain’t KTM super-comfy.

The 950 Adventure copes with fire trails and lumpy bits like a pro, popping wheelies and generally behaving like a dirtbike should. It’s got a rubbish steering lock, but I love the KTM for hooting through fast, sinuous dual carriageways.

The KTM 950 is a bike that’ll not only knot knickers, it’ll firmly place them on your head – it’s a serious tool, with genuine road and off-road ability, but really it’s just plain fun.

Seats0
Suspension FrontWP-USD 48 MA
Suspension RearWP-PDS suspension strut with hydr. spring preload
Wheels Front2.15 x 21
Wheels Rear4.0 x 18
Tyres Front90/90-21
Tyres Rear150/70-18
Brakes Frontdouble disc, 300 mm
Brakes Rearsingle disc, 240 mm
Chassistubular chromoly space frame, power-coated
Seats0
Suspension FrontWP-USD 48 MA
Suspension RearWP-PDS suspension strut with hydr. spring preload
Wheels Front2.15 x 21
Wheels Rear4.0 x 18
Tyres Front90/90-21
Tyres Rear150/70-18
Brakes Frontdouble disc, 300 mm
Brakes Rearsingle disc, 240 mm
Chassistubular chromoly space frame, power-coated
Cubic Capacity (cc)942
Max Power (bhp)97
Max Power Peak (rpm)8000
Torque (ft/lb)70
Torque Peak (rpm)6000
Bore (mm)100
Stroke (mm)60
Valve GearDOHC
Compression Ratio11.5
IgnitionBattery
CoolingLiquid cooled
Stroke TypeFour Stroke
Cubic Capacity (cc)942
Max Power (bhp)97
Max Power Peak (rpm)8000
Torque (ft/lb)70
Torque Peak (rpm)6000
Bore (mm)100
Stroke (mm)60
Valve GearDOHC
Compression Ratio11.5
IgnitionBattery
CoolingLiquid cooled
Stroke TypeFour Stroke
Top Speed
Top Speed