KTM

The all-rounder that's the best off-roader gets fuel injection and anti-lock brakes to appeal to the sensible crowd. Has the fun factor been banished too?

“Having seen both bikes in the flesh I tell you, you wouldn’t even look at the orange paint scheme once you have seen the white one. It’s stunning. But both bikes just ooze quality and style.

Perhaps because KTM are best known for producing some of the best off-road competition machines of recent times, when the RC8 arrived a year ago many people expected KTM’s first attempt at a pure sports bike to be filling half of every superstock race grid by the end of the 2008 season.

One man’s beauty is another man’s toad, or some such proverb is often quoted when referring to a visually challenged offspring. Usually behind the proud parent’s backs.

TWO's James Whitham reports back from the launch of KTM's sharp new RC8R

If the SMT is a more rounded kind of KTM supermoto, then the SMR is the Austrian factory doing what they love best – balls out. This is KTM’s V-twin supermoto concept tweaked to the ‘nth degree, and they are clearly pleased with the result.

Barry Tavner's track record with bikes is dismal. Did this KTM ever make it through the year without being written off or stolen? Find out..

Jamie Whitham puts the new KTM 690 SMc through its paces and delivers his verdict

Mr Tavner styles it on the KTM 950SM, designer stubble optional