Meet KTM's 942cc supermoto. The motorcycling equivalent of a man with a thousand yard stare, disturbing twitch and a worrying interest in firearms...
Every once in a while a manufacturer throws caution to the wind and does something seemingly rather absurd. Sometimes it works, and sometimes not. In this case, KTM have produced a bike that (on paper at least) is bordering on a kind of madness. The kind of madness however that just might elevate the funky Austrian manufacturer to a higher level of cool.
Having introduced its first production Supermoto back in 1998 with the 620LC4, KTM have plugged away at the sector and enjoyed an impressive 42% average annual growth in sales. The new 950SM takes the number of road legal Supermoto models into double figures, while the Japanese have been particularly slow to catch on and are only now beginning to join the fray with their first examples. Confirmation though that the category is both authentic and established.
Our hosts at this world launch proudly announced that with the advent of the first major capacity model, Supermoto has officially grown up. There is naturally more method to this madness than just thrusting such a beast into the market place. Firstly, you can only go so far with a single cylinder motor before it becomes unmanageable or unreliable, not forgetting the desperate impracticality of those hard-edged dirtbike-based weapons. Secondly, the use of their big V-twin engine is the lure to attract newcomers that will grow the market and make KTM a brand synonymous with desirable road bikes, rather than simply mud-pluggers. They're also looking to attract current Supermoto owners, off-roaders who crave a road bike that they can relate to and duffers like myself who have done sportsbikes to death.
Arriving at our launch destination, a sublime luxury hilltop retreat overlooking Tuscany's Chianti vineyards, we were left in no doubt as to the intentions and expectations of this model. With an endless supply of bikes, technicians, hundreds of miles of challenging roller coaster country roads and a go-kart circuit to play on, this bike was going to get a thorough testing with any shortcomings easily exposed - the obvious banana skin (for a 191kg bike) lurking in the form of that tight and twisty go-kart track.
On initial inspection the quality of the 950SM's components and finish was impressive. Headed by the customary WP suspension, including a beefy set of 48mm USD forks, the list included monster 4-piston radially mounted Brembo brakes, a chrome moly tubular frame and lightweight Brembo five-spoke aluminium wheels. All very appetising. Add to this blend a wet weight of 191kg before fuel, a significantly short 1510mm wheelbase and a 98bhp V-twin engine. The package is, at the very least, somewhat purposeful.
Continue the KTM 950SM Review 2/2
