Some of you may remember that I had a 'Wanted' ad posted here about 2 months ago, saying that I was looking for a KTM or CCM Super Moto as a road toy.
Well about a month ago, having looked at about 15 bikes on E-Bay, eventually I spoke to someone in the Luton area who had a nice 2002 KTM 660 LC4 SMC, and after some deliberation - of which more in a moment, I parted with a very reasonable sum of dosh and now it is the latest toy in the Norman stable!

A bit about KTM's and Super Moto Models
First of all, my normal disclaimer - I don't know too much about this type of bike!
I am not an expert, but as is often the case, when I get a whim to own something I like to do a bit of homework, just so I have a rough idea of the different models and some idea of what I am looking at!
My mate Andy had been coming round on his CCM R30 Super Moto, which he has owned for the last year and the idea of a big single motocrosser style bike, but with fat road tyres (which is pretty much what a Super Moto is) quite appealed. I fancied something different for nipping down to the shops and about town - maybe the odd ride out - but more than anything, I just fancied a big single, which could make the front end go light!
Andy, like me, had fancied a KTM himself - as these are one of the top manufacturers of motorcrossers and supermotos and their quality is renowned, but as he himself admits, he is slightly short of leg and found them a bit too tall for him. I have never let practicality hinder me when I want something (ho hum), and I think they look great, so this was top of my list. The other big benefit with KTM's, is that they are all fitted with top quality White Power suspension (which I believe they bought, so they now own) and Brembo brakes - so in both handling and braking they are excellent.

Anyway, I found this one (a late 2002 660 SMC) down near Luton and contacted the owner many weeks ago. By an amazing coincidence it turned out his father used to work for Vincent's! At the time I was quite involved with work, and the owner was truthful enough to tell me it was not entirely practical - for the reasons I describe above, but was in good condition. At the time I decided to let it go, but some weeks later found that it was back up for sale. It turns out the new buyer was in Germany and could not get to pick it up for some weeks, and had backed out. By this time I was getting sick of looking, so decided to take the plunge. Having talked to the owner in some detail, he sounded like a decent bloke and although the bike had scant service history, it sounded in good condition and had no known issues. I did the normal bartering and finally agreed a price. I also paid him a deposit, which I told him he could keep if when I got there it turned out I could not start the bloody thing - in which case I would walk away!

Andy and I went down in my van the following Saturday and looked at it. It seemed reaonably original and straight, and is just how I like them, generally clean but not mint - after all I wanted this as a ride to work bike. Anyway, the owner managed to start the bike for me initially, and I went for a quick test ride - enough to tell me that the bike felt straight and ran well - and would be great fun!

Riding a KTM, Brrrrmm
Once I have actually started the bloody thing, and slumped on to it exhausted, I need a few moments to get my breath back - but then the fun begins! When at first you ride off on the bike, it does not feel that unmanageable, in fact it is very easy to ride. For the first couple of miles I take it easy, while letting the fully synthetic oil warm up and the first striking impression you get, is actually not what you would expect of a 660cc single - i.e. that of huge torque, but in fact quite a revvy motor, with what feels like very little flywheel effect (not suprising when you look carefully at the very small diameter crankcases). The other very noticeable trait is just how light and flickable it is - very much due to the fact that there is almost nothing on the bike, other than the barest needed to make it go, stop and handle. It only takes a mile or two before you cannot help but start flicking it into turns, and you are aware of the big, wide tyres on it, giving plenty of grip. You can also tell it has a motocrosser's geometry, because the front end gives you a very strange feeling of being very quick to turn in and skittish, while also feeling well planted - both at the same time.

The front fork legs (Whitepower's best again) are of massive diameter and just soak up any bumps or lumps in the road - I read that the SMC versions are slightly larger in construction than the standard LC4, they certainly look huge. Regardless, you can go over sleeping policeman without realising they are there. I have never been particularly good at setting up modern suspension, but on this one there does not feel like there is anything that needs doing - it is a lovely supple ride and goes exactly where it is put.

Then, once I get to the outskirts of the next village from my own, everything feels good, so I decide to have a bit of fun and open the KTM up - Sheesshh! it about rips your arms out and the front end goes very light, in 2nd, 3rd and fourth gears and the digital speedo is measuring over the national speed limit very quickly. The acceleration is addictive and it is great fun to use it in conjunction with the brilliant handling to flick and squirt through nadgery sections of bends. It is difficult to imagine how a single cylinder bike can put up the performance comparable to a modern race replica - but up to 80mph this one seems pretty close - it's a real hoot.

Silverstone - Forgotten Era racing
I was out in Dublin, Ireland the week after buying the bike with my day job, and was not able to get back at the weekend, due to the Icelandic volcano. I did get back the following weekend though and was due to be going on my first ride out this year - which Andy (on his CCM) and I decided would be Silverstone. Actually I thought it was for Historic Car racing, but checking the night before I realised that the car racing was only on the Saturday and it was bike racing on the Sunday, however, we thought it still would be a nice day out.

It was a nice trip, although on the way there I took partly motorway before meeting up with Andy then we went A5. It was this ride that showed up that, although the bike had no objection to trundling along at 75-80mph, the rider was less willing! I found that the wind resistence of an unfaired bike and sit up and beg riding style, made it tiresome at this speed and 65-70mph was easier.
Incidentally, on the way back Andy took us on a more cross country route home, using mostly B roads - fantastic!, this was what this type of bike was made for. It's ability to flick and turn and then that tremendous grunt as it launches itself out of turns is just a pure adrenlin rush. It is a little bit like having a double knocker Norton engine in the lightest of motocross frames!