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 The Fastest Growing Motorcycle Company In US For 2013

November retail sales growth figures for KTM North America, Inc. have put the motorcycle company out front as the fastest growing motorcycle company in the US for 2013. KTM’s November unit sales rose 49% compared to the same month in 2012 and year-to-date numbers at the end of November showed KTM leading growth with a 28.8% increase.

Chris Fillmore Returning To KTM AMA Superbike For 2014

KTM Motorsports and Chris Fillmore have agreed to terms that will see the former supermoto ace return to the KTM/HMC Superbike Racing team for his third consecutive season. Fillmore, who started racing with KTM on its supermoto Team in the early 2000’s, began testing the RC8 superbike in 2008. Since that time he has piloted the bike in its first-ever AMA Pro SuperBike race and gone on to run two full-time seasons in that series with a career best finish of fourth overall.

2013 Long Beach International Motorcycle Show Report

Today the motorcycle press descended upon the Long Beach Convention Center to attend media day at the annual International Motorcycle Show. After feasting from a continental breakfast buffet the discerning journalists set to the task of reporting on the bounty of new model motorcycles – most of which has been previously showcased in our November EICMA reporting. If you missed anything from that show here’s a run down of what to look forward to: Triumph Thunderbird LT Suzuki V-Strom 1000 Can-Am Spyder Royal Enfield Continental GT Zero KTM Super Duke R – KTM confirmed the retail price to be $16,999 BMW R NineT Ducati Monster S 1200 Honda Valkyrie Kawasaki Z1000 Husqvarna A cool item of interest included a reproduction TZ750-powered flat tracker King Kenny Roberts made famous.

Small-Displacement Class Considered for 2015 AMA Pro Racing Season

More and more manufacturers are entering the small-displacement sportbike market and AMA Pro Racing has taken notice, opening the possibility of adding a new racing class representing the growing segment. With plans to consolidate the Daytona Sportbike and Supersport classes and the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson series signed through 2015, a spot will open up on race weekends for another racing class to support the premier Superbike Championship. The logical choice is to introduce a new small-displacement class.

KTM Remembers Kurt Caselli – Video

The sudden and tragic death of Kurt Caselli during this year’s Baja 1000 has had a big impact on the motorcycle community. An immensely talented competitor and champion, Caselli was a rising star in his prime and was destined for greatness. A three-time AMA Hare & Hound champion, WORCS champion, and ISDE gold medalist, Caselli even won a two stages in the Dakar Rally in his first attempt last year.

KTM Announces 2014 AMA Supercross

KTM announced its 2014 AMA Supercross team, with reigning 250SX West Champion Ken Roczen joining Ryan Dungey on the 450 class team. The two will form a formidable one-two punch for the Red Bull KTM factory team as it hopes to unseat three-time champion Ryan Villopoto of Kawasaki. “Next year’s competition is going to be tough with several young, fast and talented riders entering the 450 class,” says Dungey who has finished third for three straight seasons after winning the title in 2010.

Kurt Caselli Memorial Ride Day Set for Dec. 6

Kurt Caselli‘s family is inviting friends and fans of the accomplished off-road racer to join in a memorial ride to honor his memory. The Kurt Caselli Memorial Ride Day will be held at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, Calif., on Dec. 6, from 10 am to 3 pm PT.

Rossi’s Brother Luca Marini Tests Aspar Team Moto3 Racer

Valentino Rossi‘s half-brother Luca Marini took part in the official test at Spain’s Valencia circuit, riding the Aspar Team‘s KTM-powered Kalex Moto3 racebike. Marini will race for the Aspar Team at the final round of the Moto3 class in Spain’s CEV championship next weekend at Jerez as part of an arrangement between Aspar Team and Rossi’s VR46 Riders Academy. Next season, Marini will compete full time in the CEV for Aspar.

Kurt Caselli Dead after SCORE/Baja 1000 Crash

American off-road racer Kurt Caselli has died from injuries sustained in a crash during the SCORE/Baja 1000 on Nov. 15. He was 30.

EICMA 2013: 2014 KTM RC390, RC200 and RC125 Officially Revealed

Full details about the new RC390 leaked last month, but today at the 2013 EICMA show, KTM officially revealed details about the fully-faired sportbike along with its smaller siblings the RC200 and RC125. Follow the rest of our 2013 EICMA show coverage Of course, all three models are based on previously revealed naked Duke models, so much of the information was expected anyway. The engines are the same as on the naked models, with the same performance figures.