Quick Ride

Quick Ride

KTM 625 SMC The new side of dual-purpose

THE DUAL-PURPOSE CLASS is about as dead as it's ever been. Just survey the lack of exciting new models in the last few years. But you can always count on KTM to dig into the parts bin to spice up the segment. Witness the latest offering from the Austrians: the 625 SMC, an LC4 Thumper with a slick supermoto twist in a bike that still retains enough dirt-worthiness for off-road riding.

The key to this is the pair of 17-inch wheels shod with sticky 120/70 and 160/60 Pirelli MT60 tires. On-road traction is upped enough to give the bike a solid, planted feel, and is a huge step up from the typically vague slip ’n’ slide of the larger 21/18 dirt combo.

At the heart, though, this is still all LC4 Single. The fourvalve, liquid-cooled 101 x 78mm powerplant is fitted with a new “High Flow” head, and deliberate Thumper power is available in lumpy, thumpy doses, all at the push of an electric-start button. Power is great; simply put, there aren’t many Singles left to play in this field, and none are as fast. Hold it wide-open in first gear and the front end comes a-risin’. Bang the big shift to second and you’ll keep the wheelie. Work fast on the decent clutch and shifter, and the front tire will stay in the air as long as you dare. ’Til you reach the higher range of double-digit speed, that is; then you’ll need some balance as the motor finally runs out of steam.

Carburetion is getting better and better on this motor as it gets older (read: more developed)-it’s really well dialed-in and smooth, with minimal surging at steady throttle. Of course, the ol’ LC4 vibration is still with us, though on this bike it wasn’t as bothersome as we remember. Maybe the seat is a lot better (it is!), or the motor is just trying to strut its purposeful nature.

But as purposeful as the powerplant is, handling is where this bike really shines. It has a much lighter feel, thanks to the smaller-diameter wheels and sporty rubber. It turns quickly and is flickable like very few streetbikes can dream of being. It’s the type of handling that begs for crazy riding, sliding and slicing, popping and hopping. You can get away with a lot off the pavement, as well, thanks to the open-tread-pattern tires doing much better in the dirt than expected. And don’t ever be afraid to take the SMC for a little go-karttrack supermoto play, because that is where you can get away with it all, no fear of getting a speeding ticket.

The big front disc brake will put your arms to the test with only light lever application. Keeping the rear wheel on the ground is purely optional. Nice components and clean lines give the KTM a very finished look and feel.

In our short time with the bike, it never so much as hiccupped. We know from experience that these bikes are stone-reliable. The small, 2.4-gallon fuel tank is good for only 60 miles or so, but it keeps the bike narrow and light-feeling.

As an around-town errandrunner, a short-distance commuter or a multi-purpose playbike, the KTM hits all the marks and scores quite high. If we’d had a DP Ten Best category this year, the 625 SMC likely would have taken top honors. Sneaking in the supermotoability is just an added bonus. -Jimmy Lewis