Matt Strange

I took one out as part of KTM Didcot's "orange weekend" promotion. From the off, I'll start by stating this is by far one of the very best, most fun bikes I have ever ridden on a road. From my initial thoughts, just walking around the bike then to starting it up I knew it would be good and 30 seconds down the road I already had a huge grin on my face. KTM have basically made a 180hp, 190kg naked bike that nearly handles as well as a 450 supermoto but with nearly 4x the power & yet is 70kg heavier . This can only really be described as an astonishing achievement, no matter the fact that I've personally owned several "proper" supermotos and I suppose I consider myself a reasonably good judge in that regard - A drz400E, crf-450 & a cr250 stroker are in that list. Maybe I'm doing a slight disservice to the bike comparing it to a rough 'n' ready single or stroker, because even in sport mode (with the fully responsive fly-by-wire throttle setting) it is an incredibly easy bike to ride as slowly as a normal walking pace. It has a beautifully progressive throttle & clutch action with absolutely no snatch, the ABS brembo brakes are sublime too. Once you get a move on, the white power suspension is also excellent, soaking up the bumps around Harwell village with ease. Performance? Dare I say it, a tad muted compared to something like my K6 GSX-r1000, which would be at least a second quicker on the 1/4 mile. I think it's because it's difficult to launch this bike quickly due to the obscene amount of torque, it wants to wheelie constantly LOL. Apparently, roll-on performance is one of the best out of any standard bike on the road, but without timing gear I can't really back that up from the test today as twins are so deceptively fast compared to IL4 engined bikes. Practicality is surprisingly good, even the tank range isn't that bad apparently, with 130 mile to reserve from an 18 litre(?) tank. There's plenty of room for a tank bag and KTM even do a luggage rack and pannier set! I'd be happy to tour on the bike, it's supremely comfortable even though the riding position is a bit odd. You sit "in" the bike more than say, a supermoto or a hypermotard, rather like being on a carousel at the fair sat upon one of the wooden horses - my legs are almost straight on the pegs!. O.K., so I haven't got the longest legs in the world for my height, I'm 6'1 in my size 9 boots with a 31'' inside leg. The bars are oddly close too, if you have ever sat right up against the fuel cap on a moto-x seat, that's what it's like But I do think this helps with the handling at speed and taking corners quickly - it doesn't keep the front end of the bike down though . Engine vibration isn't that bad for an engine of it's capacity, windblast isn't that bad either seeing as I didn't have the screen fitted. Better than a lot of unfaired bikes I've ridden & today was pretty gusty at times too. It's also shorter than it looks, very compact & easy to Manoeuvre but do be warned - the mirrors do stick out and tight filtering is difficult if you're used to a sportsbike like me. I suppose to sum this bike up and why it's so good, it's a bike that's been designed from the ground up to be a naked, rather than something that was a sportsbike but has had the faring removed. Oh, and I suppose I should mention THAT throbbing 1290cc twin too, sat right under your nads/foofoo - or both if you're a hermaphrodite Bad bits? It's not cheap @ £14k for a standard bike, no quickshifter, the switchgear looks a bit cheap. The traction control turns itself back on (after you've switched it off) when the bike is turned off with the key and you restart. It's also bloody ugly! But that's it (in my opinion), if you've got the money at least go test one. I reckon you'll be wanting to ditch that sportsbike once you do.

Surely your college has numerous contacts? This is how I got into the motor trade initially. I wouldn't bother personally, the pay is poor for the level of skill required. Speaking from some considerable experience, you'd be far better off as a bricky, plasterer, plumber, sparky or chippy tbh.

Maybe if the weather is o.k., I have a choice of three bikes even without the KTM I visited mallory for an open day the other week, a nice little circuit by the looks of it:

On the way back from Cadwell, I have to confess to avoiding a large group of bikers gathered at a service station somewhere around Coventry/Leicester. I was tired, a bit cold and more interested in looking at my route via google maps than to idle chat. If I were out on a pure bimble somewhere, fare enough I'd probably been a little more engaging and up for some idle banter. They looked over at me a few times, probably thought "huh, arrogant miserable ****" etc etc Sometimes I just don't want to engaged with the public, let alone anyone with a similar interest who may potentially distract me for hours & hours! -see the thread on "The problem with riding a motorcycle" viewtopic.php?f=3&t=55928

Snett is about 130 miles from Oxford (where I'll be for at least 5 months, staying with Sis) and a easier ride than to Cadwell.

Doesn't appear 'Fro is feeling the tmbfer love for track sharing possibilities

Doesn't appear 'Fro is feeling the tmbfer love for track sharing possibilities

Not a great photo, it looks like most if not all the pictures of me were taken on the first session as I haven't got my knee sliders on & my tyres are still cold/flat . Not that it got that much better but at I scraped a knee on park/chris at some point

Might be up for Snett, Cadwell is a bit far

I generally nod to whoever I notice, I can't always be on the look out for other bikers. I generally don't with scooter riders as they never seem to respond, will nod back if they do 1st though & I see it. Get quite a few back from the 125s

Had a go-over the back tyre, it's now down to about 1mm in the centre but still has about 3mm on the sides lol! I knew it was one of the squarest rears I've seen on a sportsbike but !! Thankfully I have a new front + rear ordered and once fitted should make a world of difference next time out for corning confidence. My last track day I have 1/2 worn tyres but I put the miles on them and tend not to square them off anywhere near as bad as the previous owner did on this GSXR.

I ride the slower bits a lot better than the fast, Barn corner for me was fun as the gsxr powered out along the straight . It's the entry speed to coppice (and then through Charlies) and also the gooseneck that unnerved me; both of which I found difficult to judge and I got passed here a lot. Loved the turn into Park (after the straight) & the chris curve too, that was a lot easier. I think I should have took the blade really, the gsxr is a bit of a bucking bronco in comparison

I should be easy enough to spot if I'm in a photo as I haven't gotten around to bypassing the daytime running light setup. All black gear inc my helmet. Fat b*stard too

Yep, first bike in the picture. The mountain isn't so bad as the approach is slow & I'm used to jumps having had many a motor-x bike. It's the the top end, especially the gooseneck, that scared me. Being off camber, blind and bloody hard to judge how late to brake into mansfield and the drop. Arrrghhh! Edit to say: I wasn't particularly interesting to watch part from from maybe a "hey, look at that slow coach" perspective so that's why no photos of me I did screw up quite often on the entry to the hall bends , which happens to be right by the cafe, isn't it, oh joy-of-joys.... . A ZX-10 crashed there on the first session, luckily it wasn't that spectacular and the rider was o.k..

Recognise the bike as I liked the colour scheme, definitely not in the novice like me as I watched it go round - will check the phone, may have a photo!

What group was he in?

I'm not embarrassed to admit that it was quite terrifying at points for me to even attempt to ride fast around Cadwell. I've been to quite a few tracks before, this one knocked my own sense of skill or riding ability more than any other venue I've ridden. Certainly not a novice friendly place & I'm not strictly a novice either! O.K. I had ridden a pretty miserable, windy and cold 4 hr ride up from Oxford on the Friday, so I was feeling absolutely f***ed on Saturday if I'm being fair to myself. I'm even more shagged today, I hurt in places I haven't ever before But.. The amount of fun ( as well as terror ) was well worth it though and I'm glad to have ridden around it. Huge respect to the people that can ride this place quick, they are certainly deserving of it.

Sorry dude, would have been nice to say hi but I raced back to beat the weather. Only just too, it started p*ssing it down as I pulled onto my drive! Hope it isn't raining @ Cadwell!

17! Awwww, she looks about 12 in the photo, not quite as extreme as I thought

That's quite worrying how well they fit her! I think I'd struggle to get an arm in them, let alone a leg How old is she?!

It could be a blessing! (missing me) I'm staying at the Crown Inn in Saltfleet Fri/Sat night so I might pop down on Sunday to say hi if they let me in the circuit - can't see why not just for me to spectate

First track day of the year for me, looking forward to it

Excellent, I'll be heading down if it's not extreme weather

All fitted: Leaving the ECU wire in does cause the bike to run in fail-safe mode. Thnkfully removing and taping a wire is a very easy fix, the EXVC servo was easy to remove too, almost as if it was intended to be

There are other faults which do not put the bike into limp mode, the lists I've posted are faults which apparently do so. They will vary from model to model too, a 600 or a 750 ECU is different to a 1000. A FI error on either may be totally different on a 1000cc and produce different errors or running conditions. What GSXR & what fault in your picture to cause the light to come on?