It's comical that the top dollar eau de toilette should be named after a rival to the very bike that was taken both the Long Way Round and the Long Way Down, although I guess as a brand name Davidoff R1200GS was never likely to catch on.

In fact, had things worked out differently, the KTM 990 Adventure could have been the star of the BBC series, rather than the big BMW, had the head honchos in Austria not had one reservation too many about McGregor and Boorman's chances of success. But that doesn't mean the orange brute wouldn't have been up to the job. Far from it. The Adventure is a very capable motorcycle indeed, and more of an all-rounder than at first it seems.

The key to its abilities lies mainly in its strong, reliable engine. Using the same fuel-injected LC8 unit that appears in the loony 990 SM and the even more bonkers 990 Super Duke, there's no denying its pedigree. It provides huge amounts of torque in any gear, whatever the revs, without being what you might call rough and ready.

I always judge the smoothness of a bike engine by how long my gloves will stay on the seat while I strap up my helmet. Four-cylinder bikes always pass this test with flying colours, but with singles and twins it can be a very different matter.

With the Adventure, KTM has somehow managed to keep vibration to a minimum, so the answer in this case is "long enough". Additionally, the mirrors are perfectly still at all revs, which is handy for keeping an eye out behind you as you pick up the pace.

Because pick up the pace you will. On leaving Fowlers, the tall Adventure made mincemeat of the heavy traffic around Cabot Circus, its mirrors easily clearing those of cars and the riding position offering great vision over the rows of tin boxes.

I headed up the M32 and out of town and watched with some surprise as the figures rose on the digital speedo. At first I thought it must be inaccurate and reading some 10mph or so over the bike's actual speed, but the pace at which I appeared to be sailing past other road users soon had me dabbing the switchable ABS brakes. This is an ideal steed for covering hundreds of miles a day. Even with a huge 21in front wheel, the Adventure handles well on-road as well as off. And with twin fuel tanks, you'll be able to stay out and play for longer. Handy, too, if you just happen to be halfway across the Sahara.

The Adventure's knobbly tyres make it great for green laning in the UK too. Weighing in at just 198kg unladen, it's not as heavy as some of its rivals, and its high quality WP suspension helps you sail over the roughest terrain with relative ease.

If you're planning some serious exploration, full metal luggage is available from the extensive accessories catalogue. As are Akrapovic silencers to make doubly sure the goats get out of your way.

To sum up, the KTM 990 Adventure is a strapping motorcycle that's something of an unsung hero in its class. The enduro trail bike market is hotly contested at the moment, but the KTM stands up favourably in terms of price at just £8,750.

Keep an eye out too later this year for the new 990 Adventure R, which sees a power hike of 17bhp over this, the standard model. It will also boast longer-travel suspension, revised fuel injection and some fancy new clocks. Morocco, anyone?

The KTM Adventure was loaned by Fowlers Motorcycles of Bath Road, Bristol. For more information, call Dan on 0117 972 5594.