MENTION Austria, and the first thing that springs to most people’s minds is The Sound Of Music. It’s either that or skiing or, for the more cultured, perhaps Gustav Mahler. But it’s a fair bet that no one’s initial response would be hell-raising black and orange supermotos.

That’s right, this peace-loving nation is responsible for some of the coolest, most outrageous and, frankly, downright lairy motorcycles currently in production, and the 950SM is no exception.

All points, struts and angles, its tubular frame contains a hooligan V-twin engine that just begs to be caned and makes for a real lightweight enthusiast’s machine. This KTM is a pared-down off-roader with grippy road tyres and all the basics you need for some serious adrenaline-fuelled amusement. Its funky, minimalist dashboard offers neither fuel gauge nor rev counter, and being carb-fed, cold starts require the use of that most old-fashioned of equipment, the manual choke.

But the 950SM also offers high quality components in abundance. Brembo brakes with braided hoses, upside down forks and a tapered aluminium one-piece handlebar combine with comprehensively adjustable suspension and those perfect Pirellis to spawn a tarmac-shredding beast that will have you laughing maniacally in your helmet like no other.

Initial impressions of this lovingly crafted bike outside Fowlers were that it would require the flexibility of a ballerina to mount and that, once on board, it would offer all the comfort of an iron railing. While I stand by the first comment, the latter proved not to be the case. In fact, the seat is almost too comfy and, rather than cajole your posterior into the same place all the time, it allows you the freedom to choose your position depending on speed and surface.

After a short period at the helm of this grunty 75 degree V-twin, two things became immediately apparent. First, that it looks like nothing else on the road -- a good thing if you like to pose, not so good if you don’t like the attention. And second, that an enormous amount of restraint was going to be required to keep the front wheel on the ground. This bike will lift almost at will in first, second and even third, making it an ill-advised choice for the novice rider.

But that gutsy drive, that urge to pile forward apace, is what the 950SM is all about. The 98bhp engine pulls cleanly from standstill while its twin cylinders create a peak 69 ft lb of torque. The KTM’s gearbox ratios are closely spread and effortless short-shifting ensures you are always in the party zone as you duck from one twisting bend to the next. But it’s the torque that, from what feels like around the 5,000rpm mark, sends the 950SM into warp mode. In fourth gear, roll-on acceleration from 70mph is breathtaking and as quick as you will find on any performance bike available in the showrooms.

Then, to slow things down, the 950SM has twin 305mm discs up front with two four-piston fixed callipers, while at the rear is a chunky 240mm disc with a two-piston floating calliper -- ideal on a bike that has no objection to being backed into corners. Between them, they feel strong enough to stop a coach, let alone a motorcycle. The V-twin, however, offers so much natural engine braking that things can often be brought under control just by rolling off the throttle.

To finish off the looks, the KTM benefits from a stunning set of high-level twin exhausts that announce your arrival well before you actually reach your destination.

If you’re looking for a highly trick supermoto that just refuses to conform, you’ll find the hills are very much alive on a 950SM.

Article written: Jan 26, 2007

The KTM 950SM was kindly loaned by Fowlers Motorcycles of Bath Road, Bristol. For more information about test rides, call Fowlers on 0117 977 0466.

OUR STEER ON THE KTM 950SM

Price: £5,999 (for 07 model @ Jan 2009) 

Engine: 942cc, 75-degree V-twin

Power: 98bhp at 8,000rpm

Torque: 94 Nm (69 ft lb) at 6,500rpm

Transmission: six-speed

Weight: 191kg

Fuel capacity: 17.5 litres

Top speed: 125 mph (est)

Seat height: 86.5 cm

STRONG>by Jon Bennett