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

Interview with KTM's Stefan Pierer – Part 2

Pierer's thoughts on MV Agusta Credit: Photos by KTM/Emanuel Tschann Alan Cathcart’s conversation with Stefan Pierer continues, as the PIERER Mobility president and chief executive officer discusses his motorcycle brands (namely, KTM, Husqvarna and GasGas), and some of their competition. This includes MV Agusta, of which PIERER gained a stake in 2022. —ED.

2023 KTM 890 SMT to be Revealed April 24

KTM confirmed it will reveal a new 890 SMT model, adding a new supermoto-inspired middleweight sport-tourer to its 2023 lineup. Spy photos of a prototype popped up last October and again in January, and we now know the new SMT will be revealed on April 24. The last model to bear the name was the 990 SMT, which was discontinued in 2013.

Limited Edition BRABUS 1300 R Edition 23 Announced

Collab continues with another KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO variant KTM and German tuning company BRABUS have announced a updated version of the 1300 R for 2023. The BRABUS 1300 R Edition 23 will be offered in two color schemes, with a limited production run of 145 units in the Superblack, and another 145 in Stealth Gray. Just like the version released last year, the BRABUS 1300 R is based on the KTM 1290 Super Duke EVO, but with a number of bespoke BRABUS parts, including a number of carbon fiber and CNC-machined components.

2023 KTM 890 Adventure Review - First Ride

You don't need an R to get down in the dirt Credit: Photos by Francesc Montero and Sebas Romero | Videos by L. Piffaretti and E. Girotti Portugal is a great place to visit for a number of reasons, but it’s particularly accommodating for those who do it in the dirt.

Limited Production 2023 KTM RC 8C – First Look

Higher revving, more powerful LC8c engine Credit: Photos by Rudi Schedl and Fotografie Mitterbauer KTM announced updates for its RC 8C sportbike, including a reworked, more powerful engine, a new exhaust, updated electronics, and the latest WP suspension. Produced once more with the help of Krämer Motorcycles, the RC 8C will have a limited run of 200 numbered units, with a suggested retail price of US$39,599. The most significant updates are with the 889 cc engine, with new, lightweight titanium valves and connecting rods, plus forged pistons using a new two-ring system (versus the previous three piston rings).

2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S – Mini Review

Does KTM's amazing mega adventure bike make for a good tourer? If there’s one thing KTM knows how to do, it’s how to get dirty. The company obviously has its long history of off-road competition, and victories, to its name, and that success has transferred nicely into the adventure bike market.

Church of MO: 2012 KTM RC8 R And RC8 R Race Spec Review First Ride

Tommyguns Roderick has left the building. Well, not like Elvis; he’s still alive and well. But he’s left the MO building.

2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R Review

A long-legged beast Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield What a beast, I thought to myself as I put my first few miles on the 2022 KTM 1290 Super Adventure R. In retrospect, that thought kind of made sense given the fact that the mill tucked beneath the 1290’s new tank design is an iteration of the Super Duke’s 1301cc V-Twin – the naked bike dubbed by KTM marketing folks as “the beast.” And beastly it is. Even in larger ADV garb coming in at 542 pounds dripping wet, the SA-R is still an absolute ripper of a motorcycle that is fully capable of serially killing rear tires.

Continental Recalls 68,770 Tires Including TKC 80, ContiGo!, K62 and LB

Tires may develop cracks that can result in tread separation Continental Tire is recalling 68,770 motorcycle tires because they may develop cracks that can result in tread separation. The recall includes the popular TKC 80 dual sport tires, ContiGo! tires for lightweight motorcycles, plus K62 and LB scooter tires.

Limited KTM Brabus 1300 R 2022 for 40,000 Euro

KTM surprised everyone a bit and collaborated with the famous tuning studio BRABUS, revealing to the world a limited KTM Brabus 1300 R 2022! The KTM Brabus 1300 R is naturally based on the KTM 1290 SUPER DUKE R EVO supernaked and equipped with a V-twin LC8 engine with a volume of 1301 cm³, giving 180 hp and 140 Nm of torque.The motorcycle received a new and fairly recognizable body kit, new optics, unique forged 9-spoke Monoblock Z wheels, a direct-flow exhaust, a custom-made heated seat and the mass of milled elements.The KTM Brabus 1300 R 2022 will be produced in the amount of 154 pieces (77 for each color) and is estimated by the manufacturer at 39500 ˆ. Only Europeans and South Africans will be able to order the novelty.