My pick of five sizzling secondhand supermotos that will make you grin from ear to ear!

If you’re after raw, adrenalin-packed wheelies and skids, no road-legal bike is better at delivering than a supermoto. Originally mongrel race bikes created by fitting MX bikes with street wheels, tyres and brakes to compete in track/dirt racing, the results proved appealing as loony town bikes and home-brewed, street-legal versions ultimately led to production models.

Most are 600cc singles and lack practicality, while bigger, longer-legged V-twins improve on the latter but remain as Sunday toys.

• Related: Get the street style with our naked bike riding gear buying guide

Read on for our expert guide to superb secondhand supermotos!

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MCN Recommended: 2004 – 2015 Yamaha XT660X – £2600 – £4950

Definitive trail-bike derived street single is up for fun

Spec:

• Power: 45bhp
• Engine capacity: 659cc
• Seat height: 875mm
• Kerb weight: 177kg

Supermoto version of the XT660R single-cylinder trail bike was launched in 2004 and is largely identical bar its 17in Excel wheels, street tyres and big 320mm front disc and, as such, is arguably the most mainstream, refined, versatile and affordable example of the breed. Following a long line of XT singles, it has a tempting blend of fun, style, practicality and affordability; is rock solid reliable (mostly), is easy to ride and unintimidating. It makes a viable day-to-day city bike and still has enough performance to entertain.

Yamaha XT660X used buying advice

• There was a recall on some early bikes for the throttle position sensor, so make sure it was done.
• Cush drive rubbers wear fast, so it’s recommended owners replace them at every rear tyre change (they cost around £30).
• Check the electrics for water ingress, and make sure you get the red ‘master’ immobiliser key.
• Some have hot-starting niggles, but cures are well known – as are many other improvements from dedicated owners.

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2013 – 2016 Aprilia Dorsoduro – £4650 – £6100

Italian V-twin rival to Ducati’s Hypermotard

Spec:

• Power: 92bhp
• Engine capacity: 749cc
• Seat height: 870mm
• Kerb weight: 186kg

Aprilia’s Dorsoduro was a cheaper, more practical alternative to Ducati’s Hypermotard and KTM’s 990 may lack their style but still turns heads. Its 749cc V-twin engine was lifted directly from Aprilia’s Shiver and although the result may not be as radical as the competition, it’s easier to ride and far less intimidating, making the Dorsa a fun, real-world, big-capacity supermoto.

Aprilia Dorsoduro used buying advice

• Water pumps rattle while the engine warms, but excess racket can mean it’s on its last legs (cheap fix, though).
• Starter solenoids don’t always play ball, although dodgy starting can simply be from loose wiring, so check for that first.
• The temperature gauge should show three bars, maybe four on a hot day in town – if it’s higher than that, the radiator fan is shot.
• As with all supermotos check for crash damage.

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2012 – 2013 KTM 690 SMC – £5250 – £9350

State of the art from the Austrian specialists

Spec:

• Power: 66bhp
• Engine capacity: 690cc
• Seat height: 900mm
• Kerb weight: 140kg

Although punchy, nimble and exciting the KTM 690 SMC is surprisingly easy to ride with exceptional road manners. It also looks aggressively individual with its beaky front end and upswept exhausts and full of trick goodies such as WP fully adjustable suspension, Brembo radial brakes and lightweight wheels. A great fun bike that makes you smile after every (short) ride.

KTM 690 SMC used buying advice

• KTM’s single-cylinder LC4 motor is solid enough, but there have here have been issues with failed rocker arm bearings on 2008-2010 bikes – replacement takes about 20 minutes and using later parts prevents the fault returning.
• There have been some cases of erratic fuel injection.
• Loud pipe? Check the injection is tweaked (get the stock pipe, too).
• Fuel caps leak, meaning petrol all over the place when exploring wheelie potential.

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2015 – 2023 Husqvarna 701 Supermoto – £5750 – £9350

Punchy exotica for the committed few

Spec:

• Power: 67bhp
• Engine capacity: 693cc
• Seat height: 910mm
• Kerb weight: 145kg

The Husqvarna 701 Supermoto’s 693cc lump is one of the most impressive engines of recent times, combining punch, character and impressive performance while the tall, slim, light chassis delivers all the big-lean, foot-out, one-wheel antics you’d expect. It’s a quality thing, delivers fabulous sub-80mph fun, reasonable short-hop practicality and has the air of a true exotic.

Husqvarna 701 used buying advice

• Service intervals are 6000 miles, and if they’ve been done the bike should be reliable but a full history is preferable.
• The compact digital speedo has been known to mist up.
• Check the indicators work as the switch can pack up, and make sure the speedo works – it’s tied in with the ABS system, and if the ABS switch fails you lose both the speed readout and the anti-lock.
• A few rear brake return springs have failed.

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2005 – 2013 KTM 950/990 SM – £3500 – £5750

As punchy and broad-abilitied as supermotos get

Spec:

• Power: 114bhp
• Engine capacity: 999cc
• Seat height: 870mm
• Kerb weight: 191kg

The first big, V-twin street supermoto was introduced as a 950 in 2005 and combined agility, low-down punch and rugged ‘can-do’ with reliability, comfort and the higher speeds of a road bike. It was enlarged to 990 in 2007, a higher spec ‘R’ added in 2013 but all are hysterical, big-capacity bad boys. Point it towards some tight, twisty roads and try not to giggle.

KTM 950/990 SM used buying advice

• Free-revving V-twin can have an appetite for camchain tensioners and the water pump shaft seal can leak, so check for dribbling.
• Clutch slave cylinders play up, along with the clutch booster.
• Let the tacho needle do a full sweep when you turn the ignition on, otherwise the ECU gets confused, and the bike won’t run right. Restarting (properly) and letting the engine idle for 15 minutes sorts it.
• Check the service history.