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KTM Motorcycles

About KTM

KTM Sportmotorcycle AG is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and moped manufacturer. KTM is most commonly known for its off road motorcycles though in recent years it has expanded into street motorcycle production.

The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighofen. It started out as a metal working shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. In 1937, it started repairing and selling DKW motorcycles, and Opel the following year.

In 1954 KTM began producing motorcycles, almost all of the components being produced in house, with the notable exception of engines, made most often by company Rotax.

In 1955, a businessman Ernst Kronreif became shareholder of the company, on acquiring a sizable portion of the company. It was then renamed Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen.

KTM's first moped, called Mecky was launched in 1957, followed by Ponny I in 1960 and Ponny II in 1962, and the decade saw the beginning of the bicycle production.

Kronreif died in 1960 and Trunkenpolz two years later, of a heart attack. Company name was changed back to Kraftrader Trunkenpolz Mattighofen with his son Erich taking managing the company. In 1978, US subsidiary KTM North America Inc. was founded in Lorain, Ohio. In 1980, it was renamed KTM Motor-Fahrzeugbau KG.

Since 1990, KTM motorcycles and automobiles (X-Bow) have been designed by KiskaDesign, a Salzburg-based design firm. It is responsible for the overall branding for KTM; including the design of the vehicles, shops, exhibits and printed material.

KTM first participated in motorsports events in 1953 in the 5th Gaisberg competition in which it won the first three places. One year later, KTM won the Austrian 125 national championship. Two years later, in 1956, KTM participated in the International Six Days race for the first time and Egon Dornauer won the gold. 1966 year marks the winning of the Austrian national championship by Manfred Klerr using the new 250cc Motorcross bike. In 1973, the Austrian team records the first World Championship points and the first Grand Prix wins.

Moto blog

KTM Reports 2011 Results

Fri, 17 Feb 2012

KTM reported a 22.4% increase in worldwide motorcycle sales in 2011, raking in a net profit of 20.7 million euros. According to KTM‘s year-end fiscal report, the Austrian company sold 81,200 units in 2011, compared to 66,327 units in 2010. KTM attributes the gains to the launch of its latest EXC off-road competition lineup and the entry-level 125 Duke.

AMA Supercross: 2012 San Diego Results

Mon, 13 Feb 2012

Ryan Villopoto captured his second straight victory, winning the San Diego round of the 2012 AMA Supercross championship. The Monster Energy Kawasaki rider now has three wins on the season, two more than anyone else, but his hold on the championship points lead has only increased to six points. Villopoto took the lead on the second lap of the main event after overtaking Brett Metcalfe of Yoshimura Suzuki who took the holeshot, with Villopoto‘s teammate Jake Weimer also in the lead group.

KTM Announces AMA Superbike Team – Will Compete Full 2012 Season

Mon, 13 Feb 2012

KTM announced it will compete in its first full AMA Superbike season, with Chris Fillmore riding the KTM 1190 RC8 R Race Spec. The Austrian manufacturer made its AMA Superbike debut last year, entering two events, with Fillmore riding the RC8 R for the KTM/HMC team. KTM‘s presence in 2012 was initially in doubt, but the team confirmed it is returning to compete the full season with Fillmore and the HMC team.

Riding KTMs on Ice – Video

Fri, 10 Feb 2012

Much of Europe has been absolutely hammered by ice and snow over the last couple of weeks, with some places like Rome momentarily banning motorcycles and scooters from public roads due to safety concerns. The cold snap didn’t stop the people behind the Dutch site Oliepeil.nl from having a little fun with the help of KTM. Oliepeil.nl took a KTM 500 EXC dirt bike, a  525 XC ATV and a KTM X-Bow car onto a frozen area in the Heteren region of the Netherlands for some ice riding.

AMA Supercross: 2012 Anaheim II Results

Mon, 06 Feb 2012

The 2012 AMA Supercross season is shaping up to be a tight one, with four racers and former champions healthy and jockeying for position on top of the points standings. Ryan Villopoto, Chad Reed, Ryan Dungey and James Stewart have all claimed wins in the first four rounds. After the second Anaheim round, the four contenders, representing four different manufacturers, are separated by just 13 points.

KTM Moto3 Valencia Test

Fri, 03 Feb 2012

While MotoGP factory and satellite teams held their first pre-season tests this week in Malaysia, KTM held its own test for nine riders in the new Moto3 class earlier in the week in Spain. While the premiere class’ new 1000cc engine displacement limit and Claiming Rule Team entries draw the most attention, we can’t forget MotoGP isn’t the only class in the World Championship seeing changes for 2012. The new Moto3 class also debuts this season, replacing the old 125GP class.

Pit Biking; good clean fun for all the family

Wed, 01 Feb 2012

If you haven’t tried Pit Biking yet, you’re missing out on some incredible fun, and it won’t break the bank. The majority of pit bikes are of Chinese origin and I guess, are best described as modern day monkey bikes. Yes Chinese, and I’ve witnessed them being thrashed round all day long without missing a beat, so Jonny Wong and co. are finally getting there on quality and reliability!  Although Pit Bikes are designed for off road use, an extra few hundred quid spent on matching up wheels, fitting tarmac tyres and some crash protection will mean you’re track ready for a total of around £600.

2012 Bajaj Pulsar 200NS – the Indian KTM Duke 200

Mon, 30 Jan 2012

Bajaj Auto has unveiled its new naked model for the Indian market. The Bajaj Pulsar 200NS (Naked Sport) is shares many of the same components of the also recently launched KTM Duke 200, but with a few cost-cutting measures. Bajaj, of course, owns a 39.26% share of KTM so such crossover of technology should be expected.KTM will be positioned as a premium brand while the Bajaj brand will be presented as a more-affordable alternative.

AMA Supercross – 2012 Oakland Results

Mon, 30 Jan 2012

The 2012 AMA Supercross Championship race is getting tighter with a fourth race winner in as many rounds following James Stewart‘s victory in Oakland, Calif. The JGRMX Yamaha racer captured his first win of the 2012 season at Oakland’s O.co Coliseum. Stewart out-dueled longtime rival Chad Reed of TwoTwo Motorsports Honda for the win.

AMA Supercross: 2012 Los Angeles Results

Mon, 23 Jan 2012

Chad Reed won his first race of the 2012 AMA Supercross season in Los Angeles but the victory was overshadowed by a first-lap collision that left Trey Canard and Ryan Morais with broken backs. Racing for Team Honda Muscle Milk, Canard was injured on the first lap after catching a piece of some signage. That forced him to single a triple jump, putting him in the path of Star Valli Yamaha rider Ryan Morais who landed on Canard from behind.