KTM 495 (1981 to 1984)

The KTM 495, famously nicknamed the "Great White," is a legendary "Big Bore" powerhouse and the final peak of KTM's air-cooled two-stroke dominance. Produced between 1981 and 1984, it is immortalized as the fastest stock dirt bike ever built, with the 1981 model famously clocked at 123.75 mph at El Mirage Dry Lake—a record that stood for decades. The 495 is defined by its massive 92.25 mm bore and ultra-short 74 mm stroke, a "screamer" configuration that produced violent top-end power compared to its more tractor-like rivals. The 1982 Pro-Lever model was another major milestone, introducing KTM's first single-shock rear suspension and a reed-valve intake for better low-end response, while the 1983–1984 versions added front disc brakes before the platform was retired in favor of the liquid-cooled 500.