KTM 660 SMC (2002 - 2006) review

The fact that it begs for abuse and daft riding appeals. Stick a loud pipe on it and you'll get even more attention
Great looking and barking engine.
It can come up short against its rivals on power and practicality.

No matter how sensible you want to be, you’re continually tempted to do naughty things and be a very bad boy. In the wet, I just had to put my foot to the floor and get sideways round slower corners, then in the dry I found myself constantly doing wheelies and stoppies, which is great fun but of course will eventually wear you out and could land you in trouble.

That said, cruising along at 70 or 80 was pleasant enough apart from the slight vibes through the handlebars and pegs. The ultimate top speed would fluctuate between 95mph and 110mph, depending on how tucked in you wanted to get on long straights. I found the spread of power was very useable and accelerating past other vehicles was a doddle.

Stopping was easily controlled in the wet and dry, with big contact areas from the tyres giving enormous feel. The big single front disc stayed consistent all day long, no matter how much abuse was dished out. Also, the rear brake gave great control whether braking sensibly on the road or broadsiding around car parks.

The KTM LC4 was fun with its upright riding position and wet tread pattern Pirelli Scorpions, but there was definitely a knack to starting the big 660cc single. With no electric start, it proved tricky until we could find bottom dead centre and then kick-start it (from the left hand side) with zero throttle. It saved me going to the gym that day but I’d still rather have a wee button.

I even ventured off road into the heather on a couple of occasions, which proved that, apart from being a decent road and supermoto tool, a bit of light trail riding would also be well within its capabilities.

Seats0
Suspension FrontWP-USD 48 MA
Suspension RearWP - Monoshock
Wheels Front3.5 x 17
Wheels Rear5.0 x 17
Tyres Front120/70-17
Tyres Rear160/60-17
Brakes FrontBrembo 4-piston floating caliper, 320 mm disc
Brakes RearBrembo 1-piston floating caliper, 220 mm disc
Chassischromium-molybdenum, power-coated
Seats0
Suspension FrontWP-USD 48 MA
Suspension RearWP - Monoshock
Wheels Front3.5 x 17
Wheels Rear5.0 x 17
Tyres Front120/70-17
Tyres Rear160/60-17
Brakes FrontBrembo 4-piston floating caliper, 320 mm disc
Brakes RearBrembo 1-piston floating caliper, 220 mm disc
Chassischromium-molybdenum, power-coated
Cubic Capacity (cc)654
Valves4
Max Power (bhp)32
Max Power Peak (rpm)6500
Torque (ft/lb)32
Torque Peak (rpm)4000
Bore (mm)102
Stroke (mm)80
Valve GearOHC
Compression Ratio11.7
IgnitionCapacitor discharge
Valves Per Cylinder4
CoolingLiquid cooled
Stroke TypeFour Stroke
Cubic Capacity (cc)654
Valves4
Max Power (bhp)32
Max Power Peak (rpm)6500
Torque (ft/lb)32
Torque Peak (rpm)4000
Bore (mm)102
Stroke (mm)80
Valve GearOHC
Compression Ratio11.7
IgnitionCapacitor discharge
Valves Per Cylinder4
CoolingLiquid cooled
Stroke TypeFour Stroke
Top Speed
Top Speed