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

2022 KTM 1290 Super Duke R EVO First Look

The KTM 1290 Super Duke R is getting a new EVO variant for 2022, adding semi-active suspension to what was already a very potent package. As we discussed in our 2021 Heavyweight Naked Bike Spec Shootout, the 1290 Super Duke R (along with the Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RS) is one of the few bikes in the comparison that does not offer some form of electronic suspension. That’s going to be rectified with the new 1290 Super Duke R EVO which receives a next-generation WP APEX semi-active suspension.

2021 Heavyweight Naked Bike Spec Shootout

Prelude to battle MO’s string of naked motorcycle shootouts continues, and this time we saved the best for last. We started things off in June with the middleweight class, seeing the Triumph Trident 660 emerge from a six-bike shootout. In August, we moved up a weight class and saw the Yamaha MT-09 come out ahead in another six-motorcycle dog fight.

2021 Lightweight Naked Bike Shootout Smackdown Comparo Review

BMW G310R vs Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 vs Kawasaki Z400 vs KTM Duke 390 vs Yamaha MT-03 You know what they say: It’s more fun to ride a slow motorcycle fast than a fast motorcycle slow. Yet another example of conventional wisdom baloney. It’s actually more fun to ride a fast bike fast, or even a medium-fast one.

2022 KTM RC 390 First Look

Fast Facts More aero and slipperier RC16-inspired bodywork Better ergos, bigger gas tank More torque via Euro 5 Modern electronics including Supermoto ABS Better everysing! Torquier, slipperier, comfier, safer, sweeter We already loved the sporty, overachieving little RC 390, but word just in from Austria tells us we’re about to love it even more. Looks aren’t everything, but they’re a lot, and nearly every body panel has been redrawn to better resemble KTM’s MotoGP racer.

KTM Reveals Limited Production RC 8C

Only 100 units will be produced, at a price of $38,999. KTM has revealed a new limited production track bike with the 890 Duke R engine in a bespoke chassis. The 2022 KTM RC 8C will be available for pre-order starting on July 22 at 10 am EST/7 am PST on KTM’s website for $38,999.

2021 KTM 1290 Super Duke RR First Look

Double-R model upgrades suspension and adjustability while trimming off 20 pounds Credit: Photos by Rudi Schedl, Mitterbauer H. KTM is taking its flagship naked bike to the next level with a limited edition 2021 1290 Super Duke RR. KTM will produce only 500 units of the Super Duke RR, but haven’t confirmed whether it will be offered in North America.

Church of MO: 2001 KTM Roll-Out

Rather hard to believe that KTM didn’t build its first street motorcycle until 1996 – the Duke 620. Since then, the Austrians have built so many excellent Dukes, RC sportbikes, and great adventure motorcycles it’s hard to remember the time before. Today we look back 20 years to when the orange brand decided to make a push into the world of motocross.

2021 Middleweight Adventure Motorcycle Shootout

BMW F850 GSA v. KTM 890 Adventure R v. Moto Guzzi V85 TT Travel v.

2021 KTM 890 Adventure R Review - First Ride

Just what a 469-pound dirtbike needed, more power Credit: Photos by Evans Brasfield Back in December, I included the KTM 890 Adventure R in our selection of most anticipated motorcycles of 2021. This was a list of the staff’s most anticipated bikes, mind you. As I mentioned there, the bike was hot on my mind because I knew I would have the chance to swing a leg over it soon.

2021 KTM 1290 Super Adventure S First Look – Updated

Credit: Photos by KISKA, Rudi Schedl, Fotografie Mitterbauer UPDATED Jan. 28: KTM says the 1290 Super Adventure S will be available this spring as a 2021 model in Europe, but it will not be coming to North America until the fall as an early 2022 model. KTM officially announced the new 2021 1290 Super Adventure S, featuring a new frame, a low-slung fuel tank, Euro5 compliance and adaptive cruise control.