Proper hard-core Dakar styling, and genuine off-road performance. Maddest bike here, whatever the terrain
Cons
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.
