Source: Supplied.

KTM Australia will farewell an off-road riding and racing legend in coming months when its existing stocks of KTM 200 EXCs roll out of dealership doors for the last time.

The 200 EXC was personified by a wailing top-end for its size, a surprising amount of grunt off the bottom and an uncanny ability to embarrass bigger bikes in the right conditions.

First seen in Australia in 1998, the machine built a formidable reputation as 200cc of pure weapons-grade off-road racer, with virtually 125 handling, near 250-level power, low weight and easy maintenance.

It was this very combination of features which tore the opposition apart at the highest levels of enduro competition in Australia, with Benny Bunda, Stuart Bennett, Dave Fleming, Chris Birch and Shane Watts all gaining national championships on the 200 EXC.

Its competitiveness in the bush was far from limited to the 200cc category too, as illustrated in the 2006 A4DE when Shane Watts wiped the floor with everyone except KTM’s 10-time world champion Juha Salminen on the little beast.

All good things come to an end however and the 200 EXC is now officially discontinued. In fact, the last units ever to be released are in the country now and available from your local KTM dealer. For more information on KTM Motorcycles, visit www.ktm.com.au.