This past November, KTM invited the motorcycle press to sample their 2010 line of street machines in lovely Monterey, California. Plenty of hot (or in my case, lukewarm) laps were turned on the world famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca road course, aboard the impressive 1190 RC8 R superbike and the super sporty 990 SM R Supermoto model. But despite all the leather-bound bravado, it was the bikes with bags that got this touring rider's heart racing.

The burgeoning supermotard class of motorcycles offers a sizzling blend of motocross and road-racing designs that can be devastatingly quick on a twisty back road. If you've never experienced a 'motard, think of riding a big dirt bike on steroids, with lots of power, sticky street tires and great brakes - you've got the idea.

Ohio, the Spring of 2006. It was standing there, all dressed-up in day-glow orange, seeming to stare, as though daring me, through its double headlights. I thought, this is definitely not the bike you would buy for a Sunday outing to the next café, although it would certainly draw plenty of attention. No, this is a bike meant to be ridden hard and pushed to the limits, wherever and whatever they might be.

Austrian motorbike manufacturer KTM has declared road bikes their next target. And, with the launch of the 990 Super Duke, there's a good chance that many proud owners of traditional naked bikes might be seen bawling soon.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wolfgang Puck, Wiener Schnitzel, Apfelstrudel and Red Bull are probably the most recognized Austrian 'products' in the US. But there is another great Austrian creation - KTM - well known in the motocross world, but not as widely recognized for their street or dual sport bikes, including the LC 4, Adventure 640, Supermoto, or the outrageous Duke.