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

Moto3 Team Applications Now Accepted

Get the Flash Player to see this player. Applications are now being accepted for the new Moto3 class in the 2012 Grand Prix World Championship. Teams interested in competing in the four-stroke 250cc Moto3 class are asked to register their interest with the International Road Racing Teams Association.

1,228 KTM and Husaberg Motorcycles Recalled

KTM and subsidiary Husaberg have initiated a recall campaign for certain 2010 and 2011 models due to a problem with their handlebar clamps. The recall campaign includes the 2011 KTM 450 EXC, KTM 530 EXC, Husaberg FE 570S, Husaberg FS 570 and the 2010-2011 KTM 690 Enduro R. The recall affects 1,228 units.

KTM Ready to Race Again, Entering Moto3 Class in 2012

KTM announced it will return to Grand Prix road racing in 2012 with a new racebike for the new 250cc four-stroke Moto3 class. The Austrian manufacturer discontinued its Grand Prix road racing program in 2009, withdrawing from the 125cc class (pictured above is current Moto2 racer Marc Marquez racing for the KTM factory team in the 2009 125cc class). With the Moto3 class set to replace the 125cc class in 2012, KTM will return with a new racebike.

848 Challenge rider profiles

The 2011 Ducati 848 Challenge is packed full of talent. Here are the riders who'll be pushing their 848 EVOs to the limit during the 8-round championship. Mark Andrew #22 Age 28 Hometown: Lincoln Occupation: Car Dealer Team Name: TBC Career History ·         started racing 1990 ·         Age 8 – sand racing, Mablethorpe ·         Age 16 – champion, Mablethorpe ·         Age 17 – Aprilia superteens ·         Age 18 – CB500 Cup competitor ·         Age 19 - 28 – British Superstock competitor ·         Age 28 – Thundersport Streetfighter A, 3rd in championship Aaron Brown #81 Age 27 Hometown: Nuneaton Occupation: Builder Website:  Team Name: T.B.C.

KTM 200 Duke Spied

IndianCarsBikes.in has uncovered spy photos of a KTM 200 beign tested in Pune, India. Pune is home to automaker Bajaj Auto which owns a share of KTM. Bajag Auto Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj had previously hinted at a 200cc version of the KTM 125 Duke in an interview with BSMotoring.

Thumbs up for a chilly N.E.C.

Apart from the freaky weather I have to say last week’s Carole Nash Motorcycle Live N.E.C. show was the best Birmingham event I've attended in the ten years. I really appreciate the fact that manufacturers chose to ignore the recession giving us great stands to cater for every enthusiast young and old.  Aprilia made a welcome return and I don’t know anyone that didn’t enjoy admiring the WSB RSV4, surely the the most gorgeous bike on the planet? The Honda stand rarely disappoints and this year was no exception with banking bikes providing fun for all the family.

Moto3. Recession racers?

I've sat through enough manufacturer' presentations recently to know that we're in trouble. Ignoring the still booming Asian markets, the rest of the motorcycle World is in free-fall. Even looking at the figures optimistically we're still only selling half the volumes we were in pre-crash 2006.

Milan Show: KTM 125 Duke... M/C Saviour

Of the bikes that we saw at the EICMA show it wasn’t an electronically supported sports bike or a unique and genre-defining muscle machine that were impressive, but the host of learner friendly 125 singles and in particular the KTM 125 Duke. On first glance the 125 Duke looks wild with the token angular bodywork that befits the company’s overall styling cues and the bike was swamped with enamoured gazes from all ages – in particular an Italian father and son who spent well over 10 minutes looking over every inch of the lil’ Duke with mouth-watering anticipation. The three colour options are ideal for the teenage crowd that KTM are trying to attract with this bike.

RSVP from an RSV4

Aprilia’s RSV4 Factory has to be one of the most interesting and adrenaline-inducing literbikes around, and that’s just part of why we gave it an Honorable Mention in our Best of 2010 Sportbike category. We recently had opportunity to put on a poor but passing Max Biaggi imitation with one particularly fine example. This RSV comes courtesy of our friend Kaming Ko, who often helps us on test rides.

Niall Mackenzie blog No.2

It was good to catch up with my old mate Daryl Beattie last weekend in Misano. Daryl was pushing Mick Doohan hard for the 500cc World Championship in 1995 until he high sided and broke his collar bone in Assen mid way through the year. He eventually finished runner up in the series but then some fairly big tumbles from his Lucky Strike Suzuki in 1996 brought his career to a premature end.