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 KTM headquarters in Mattighofen | |
| Company type | Aktiengesellschaft |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motor vehicles |
| Founded | 1934 (91 years ago) (1934) |
| Founder | Hans Trunkenpolz |
| Headquarters | , Austria |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Stefan Pierer, Friedrich Roithner, Rajiv Bajaj |
| Products | Motorcycles,sports cars |
| Owners | Pierer Mobility 50.1% Bajaj Auto 49.9% |
Number of employees |  2,931 (2017)[1] |
| Website | ktmgroup.comhttps://www.ktm.com |
 | |
| Company type | GmbH |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bicycles |
| Founded | 1934; 91 years ago (1934) |
| Founder | Hans Trunkenpolz |
| Headquarters | , Austria |
Key people | Carol Urkauf-Chen, Johanna Urkauf, Stefan Limbrunner, |
Number of employees | 800 (2022)[2] |
| Website | ktm-bikes.at |
KTM is anAustrian motorcycle, bicycle and motorsports brand which is co-owned byIndian manufacturerBajaj Auto and Austrian manufacturer Pierer Mobility AG. It traces its foundation to 1934 as Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. Today, Pierer Mobility AG operates as the manufacturer of KTM branded motorcycles, and KTM Fahrrad AG operates as the manufacturer of KTM branded bicycles.
KTM is known for itsoff-road motorcycles (enduro, motocross and supermoto). Since the late 1990s, it has expanded intostreet motorcycle production and developingsports cars – namely theX-Bow. In 2015, KTM sold almost as many street as off-road bikes.[3]
In 1934, Austrian engineer Johann (Hans) Trunkenpolz (1909–1962)[4] set up a fitter's and car repair shop[5] inMattighofen. In 1937, he started sellingDKW motorcycles, andOpel cars the following year. His shop was known asKraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, but the name was unregistered. During theSecond World War, his wife took care of the business which was thriving mainly on account of diesel engine repairs.[6]
After the war, demand for repair works fell sharply and Trunkenpolz started thinking about producing his own motorcycles. The prototype of his first motorcycle, the R100, was built in 1951.[7] The components of the motorcycle were produced in house, except for theRotax engines which were made byFichtel & Sachs. Serial production of theR100 started in 1953. With just 20 employees, motorcycles were built at a rate of three per day.[8]
In 1953, businessman Ernst Kronreif became a major shareholder of the company, which was renamed and registered asKronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. In 1954, theR125 Tourist was introduced,[9] followed by the Grand Tourist[10] and thescooter Mirabell[11] in 1955.
The company secured its first racing title in the 1954 Austrian 125cc national championship.[12] In 1956, KTM made its appearance at theInternational Six Days Trials, where Egon Dornauer won a gold medal on a KTM machine.[13]
In 1957, KTM built its first sports motorcycle, theTrophy 125cc.[14] KTM's firstmoped, namedMecky, was launched in 1957, followed byPonny I in 1960 andPonny II in 1962 andComet in 1963.[15] The 1960s also saw the beginning of bicycle production in Mattighofen.
Ernst Kronreif died in 1960.[16] Two years later in 1962,[17] Hans Trunkenpolz also died of a heart attack. His sonErich Trunkenpolz took charge of the company's management.
As the company continued to expand, the workforce totalled 400 in 1971, and forty years after it was founded, KTM was offering 42 different models. Additionally, KTM was able to produce motorcycles for the racing industry. During the 1970s and 80s, KTM also started to develop and produce engines andradiators. Radiators sold to European car manufacturers constituted a sizable part of the company's business in the 1980s.[18]
In 1978,[19] US subsidiaryKTM North America Inc. was founded inLorain, Ohio.
In 1980, the company was renamedKTM Motor-Fahrzeugbau KG.[18] One year later, KTM had about 700 employees and a turnover of 750m. Schilling (about 54.5m. euros). International business then amounted to 76% of the company's turnover.[18]
However, scooter and moped turnover sank rapidly, and production had to be halted in 1988.[18] Erich Trunkenpolz died in 1989. Takeover of a 51% interest in the company by the Austrian investment trust GIT Trust Holding controlled by Austrian politician Josef Taus in 1989 was followed by unsuccessful attempts to turn the indebted company around,[20] and in 1991, management of KTM was transferred to a consortium of creditor banks.
In 1991, the company was split into four new entities: KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH (motorcycles division), KTM Fahrrad GmbH (bicycles division), KTM Kühler GmbH (radiators division) and KTM Werkzeugbau GmbH (tooling division).
Now owned byKTM Motorradholding GmbH, which was formed byCross Holding (aCross Industries daughter), and other investors,KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH started operation in 1992 and later took over the sibling tooling division KTM Werkzeugbau. In the following years, while steadily increasing production and turnover, investing in new production and R&D facilities,[3][21][22] introducing new models and successfully sponsoring and taking part in various sports racing events, the company underwent a series of restructurings and stakeholder changes guided by KTM's managing director andCross Industries owner Stefan Pierer. In 1994, KTM started production of theDuke series of road motorcycles, in 1996, KTM motocross machines were first decked out in KTM's signature orange color,[23] and 1997 saw the introduction of liquid-cooled two-cylinderSupermoto andAdventure motorcycles. In 2007, the company debuted the KTM X-Bow sports car.[24]
In 1995, KTM Motorradholding GmbH acquired Swedish motorcycle makerHusaberg AB and took control of the Dutch companyWhite Power Suspension.
In 2007, Indian motorcycle manufacturerBajaj Auto bought a 14.5% stake inKTM Power Sports AG. By 2013, Bajaj Auto held a 47.97% interest in the company.
In 2013, KTM acquired the formerly Swedish motorcycle makerHusqvarna Motorcycles from its prior ownerBMW Motorrad AG.[3] The same year, KTM re-integrated the brandHusaberg intoHusqvarna Motorcycles from which it had spun off in the 1990s when Husqvarna was sold to the Italian companyCagiva.
As the final result of the restructuring process,KTM Motorradholding GmbH had becomeKTM AG in 2012. In 2015, KTM generated a turnover of over 1 billion Euro and employed 2515 people by the end of that year.[3] Of the four separate companies left after the 1992 split, three were now again part of the KTM Group:KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH,KTM Werkzeugbau GmbH andKTM Kühler GmbH (todayWP Radiators).KTM Fahrrad GmbH (KTM Bike Industries) remains an independent company and is owned by Chinese investors. KTM-Group today contains the brands KTM, Husqvarna Motorcycles and GasGas Motorcycles.
In 2021 Bajaj Auto sold 46.5% of KTM's shares to Pierer Mobility AG in exchange for 49% shares in the latter company[25] and thus became an indirect stakeholder in KTM.
Starting from 2023[26], the financial situation becomes increasingly unsustainable and explodes in 2024 in a strong corporate crisis with a debt of 3 billion euros, which led first to a clear cost cutting and layoffs until a corporate restructuring plan that for the moment has averted a possible bankruptcy in 2024.[27][28]Less than a year after its total acquisition, due to the crisis the group is going through,MV Agusta is sold again to the Sardarov family through Art of Mobility S.A.However, in March 2025, despite the persistence of a very strong financial debt and crisis situation, KTM negotiating newMotoGP deal.[29]
At present, KTM brand is operated by two corporate houses-
In September 2021, KTM AG went though a corporate restructuring through a complex share swap deal between Pierer Group and Bajaj Auto Limited.[30] As of November 2023, the apex holding company for KTM in motorcycles and affiliated business was Pierer Industrie AG, which owns 50.1% stake in Pierer Bajaj AG, wherein Bajaj Auto Limited holds the remaining 49.9% stake. Pierer Bajaj AG holds 78.16% stake in Pierer Mobility AG, which in turn holds 100% stake in KTM AG.[31]
Under the Pierer Mobility umbrella, the following companies use the KTM brand-
Pierer Mobility also has stakes in the following motorcycle companies, making them a sister concern of KTM AG-
Furthermore, KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH and Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH operate 24 and 8 distribution subsidiaries worldwide, respectively, most of them in European and Asian countries and in the US.
KTM started exporting their GS model to the US in 1968 through an American importer, John Penton under thePenton brand. This joint venture lasted until KTM establishedKTM America Inc. in Ohio in 1978.[32]
In 2005, KTM-Sportmotocycle began a partnership withATV manufacturerPolaris Industries with the goal of shared research, and more importantly shared distribution networks. This partnership was a two-year trial arrangement, at the end of which both parties had the option of merging the two companies into one. In 2006, KTM announced that the partnership with Polaris had been downgraded, and would instead only supply their 450cc and 510cc RFS engines to Polaris.[33]
In January 2008, Bajaj announced that it would jointly develop two new 125cc and 200cc bikes for Europe and the Far East. The bikes would be badgedKTM.[34] In January 2012, Bajaj launched the Duke 200 model in India.[35]
In November 2022 KTM acquired a 25,1 % stake in the Italian motorcycle manufacturerMV Agusta.[36]
KTM as a brand is also used by KTM Fahrrad GmbH, which, as the exclusive licensee, manufactures bicycles and bicycle accessories. This company originated by the spin-off of KTM in 1991 and shares the same history and heritage as that of KTM Motorcycles.
KTM entered motorsports competing inmotocross racing. KTM won its first championship in1974 whenGennady Moiseyev claimed the 250ccMotocross World Championship.[37] By the end of 2016, KTM had won more than 260 world championship titles, making the company one of the most successful brands in motorsports.[3] KTM has claimed 96 MXGP, MX1 and MX2 world titles since 1974 and 114 E1, E2, E3 and Super Enduroworld titles since 1990. WithRyan Dungey's 2015, 2016 and 2017 victories in thesupercross world championship, KTM gained a successful presence in supercross racing as well. In 1994, a KTM factory team debuted at theDakar Rally. In 1998, KTM riders won second to twelfth place. With consecutive wins from 2001 to 2019, the manufacturer has dominated the rally for 18 years now. KTM teams successfully compete in otherrally raid events like the Atlas Rally or the Rallye du Maroc. KTM has won 37cross country rallies world titles since 2003 and has won theFIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship 15 times, most recently in 2015.
In 2003, KTM started sponsoring and supportingroad racing in various capacities, with the most successful results stemming from theirsupermoto efforts. From 2003 to 2009, a KTM factory team competed in the 125 cc class of the motorcycleGrands Prix, and between 2005 and 2008 in the 250 cc class. Notable successes in the 125 cc class were the second and third place in the overall ranking scored in2005 by KTM ridersMika Kallio andGábor Talmácsi, the second place in2006 by Mika Kallio, the third place in2007 byTomoyoshi Koyama and the2005 KTM victory in the 125 cc constructor's championship. In the 250 cc class, Mika Kallio won third place in2008. Since the first Rookies Cup season in 2007, KTM has supplied the bike for theRed Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
In 2009, KTM announced their withdrawal from Grand Prix motorcycle racing in all classes, and did not return until 2012 in the newMoto3 class.
In 2012, KTM won theMoto3 manufacturers' championship. During thenext season, KTM riders prevailed in every race of the Moto3 class and won the world title as well as second and third place, making KTM the obvious victor of the manufacturers' standing. KTM won the manufacturer title in the2014 and2016 as well as the world title in 2016 in the Moto3 class. Starting in 2017, KTM fields bikes in both MotoGP and Moto2 classes as well. The main class team featuresJack Miller andBrad Binder as full-season riders,Mika Kallio as wildcard rider, andDani Pedrosa as test/development rider. The Moto2KTM Ajo team featuresPedro Acosta andAlbert Arenas.Steadfastly independent and confident of their company's abilities, KTM chose to use a steel trellis frame where all other manufacturers used aluminum. In addition, KTM insisted on developing their own racing suspension through their WP subsidiary (all other manufacturers usedÖhlins). KTM demonstrated their prowess in doing things their own way by winning their first Moto GP premier class race on August 9, 2020, with rookie Brad Binder crossing the finish line in first place.
From 2009[38] to 2011,[39] KTM teams competed in the IDM, the Superbike International German Championships. There were speculations about a possible KTM foray[40] into thesuperbike world championship. Due to the company's focus shifting away from theRC8 and generally superbike design, these plans are off the table for the foreseeable future.[41]
KTM's official company/team colours are orange, black and silver. To create a strong brand identity, all competition-ready KTMs come from the factory with bright orange plastic with "KTM" emblazoned on the side of the radiator shrouds. All KTM bikes also come from the factory with aMotorex sticker on the outside of the motor. All first fills of oil come fromMotorex as well. Some official KTM teams use different colors for their bikes, most noticeably in theDakar Rally.
KTM manufactures a wide range ofoff-road motorcycles. Not all of their models are available in every country. The following section lists bikes that are sold in the US.
Motocross – The current Motocross line designated by SX includes 50, 65, 85, 105, 125, 150, 250 and 300 ccsingle-cylindertwo-stroke models (the 50 SX, 65 SX and 85 SX models are kids' and youth bikes), and 250, 350 and 450 cc single-cylinderfour-stroke models (SX-F).[42] In 2005 KTM released the new 250SX-F to the general public. Since 2007, the SX-F's have been KTM's new racing motocross range. Current versions of the KTM SX-F line have adual overhead camshaft engine dubbed the “RC4”.
Cross-Country – The current cross-country line designated by XC includes 150, 250 and 300 cc two-stroke models and 250, 350 and 450 cc four-stroke models. The two-stroke XC machines except the 150 cc model are available with eitherwide-ratio or close-ratio transmission (when switching gears, there is a more or less pronouncedrpm change). The four-stroke models are fitted with a semi-close ratio gearbox. Most models are equipped with an electric starter.[43]
The very lightweight XC bikes are competition bikes only; they do not meethomologation regulations.
Enduro – The street-legal EXC enduro versions of KTM's XC cross-country bikes are supplied with plusher non-linkage suspensions, a wider-ratio gear box and lights.
The current line available in the US consists of 250, 350, 450 and 500 (actually 510 cc) four-stroke EXC models[43] and the 690 cc Enduro Rdual-sport motorcycle.
Free Ride – A KTM original class of off-road motorcycle that could be described as a cross between Enduro and trials bikes. The Freeride 250R is powered by a lighter, modified version of the 250 EXC Enduro engine and has a specially developed six-speed gearbox with close transmission ratios in the lower gears and a wide ratio for the sixth gear.[44] A four-stroke 350 cc free ride model with similar characteristics,[45] and the all-electric single-speed models Freeride E-SX, Freeride E-XC as well as their street version Freeride E-SM are available in Europe.[46]
| Two-stroke Motocross | Two-stroke Enduro/XCountry | Four-stroke Motocross | Four-stroke Enduro/XCountry | Plated (street-legal) | Freeride |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 SX 50 SX mini | E-SX.jpg) | ||||
| 65 SX | |||||
| 85 SX 17/14 85 SX 19/16 | |||||
| 125 SX | 200 XC-W | ||||
| 150 SX | 150 XC-W | ||||
| 250 SX | 250 XC 250 XC-W 250 EXC | 250 SX-F | 250 XC-F | 250 EXC-F |  |
| 300 SX | 300 XC300 EXC | 350 SX-F | 350 XC-F |  | 350 |
 | 450 XC-F | 450 EXC-F | |||
| 500 EXC-F | 500 EXC-F | ||||
| 690 ENDURO R | 690 ENDURO R |
In the 1990s,AMA rule changes put the cheaper, simpler two-stroke machines at a disadvantage to four-stroke bikes in motocross competitions by limiting two-stroke displacement at 125 cc for the 250 cc class and 250 cc for the 450 cc class.[47] While other manufacturers have decided to discontinue their two-stroke models, KTM has continued with creating and improving their two-stroke engines and has consequently taken up a very high proportion of the two-stroke bike market.
NewEuropean emission laws have increased the pressure on two-stroke bikes, as their engines are less fuel efficient and produce more pollution than four-stroke engines. However, with newer advances in technology, two-strokes have begun to burn cleaner and pass stricter environmental standards. Starting in 2017, all newly registered motorcycles must conform with the Euro 4 regulations for emissions management. In May 2017, KTM unveiled a new two-stroke engine withdirect fuel injection. By pressure-injecting an electronically controlled amount of fuel into the transfer port of the cylinder, the new TPI (transfer port injection) engines will be more fuel efficient and cleaner than classiccarburetor two-stroke engines, albeit more complex and expensive. By 2018, 250 and 300 EXC TPI enduro models will be powered by the new engine.[48]
The first KTM street bike was the Duke 620 in 1994.[49][50][51]
Supermoto – KTM was the first manufacturer to offer a competition-readysupermoto bike to the public. However, the company stopped supermoto production in 2016 to focus on stock 690 SMC R machines. For the 2019 Model year, the 690 SMC R model was completely renewed. The bike now has the latest version of the single cylinder LC4 power unit, introduced for the MY2016 Duke. The previous supermoto models included the 625 SMC and the race version 560 SMR. The 141 kg light 690 SMC R model has a 48 kW liquid-cooled one-cylinder four-stroke motor (LC4) and a hydraulically actuated APTCslipper clutch.[52]
Adventure tourers – KTM currently produces the 1090 Adventure, 790 Adventure, 390 Adventure, and 1290 Super Adventure dual-sport adventure bikes in versions with different seat height, wheels and suspensions that endow the machines with a road (S), off-road (R – for rally) or touring (T) bias.[53] Not all versions are available on the US market.
The 1090 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure bikes are powered by 75 degree V-twin four-stroke motors (LC8). The 790 Adventure is powered by the new LC8c parallel twin four-stroke motor. All 3 feature a slipper clutch, electronically controlled riding modes (sport, street and rain) with the 1290 and 790 featuring a TFT display and the 1090 featuring a twin (analog plus LCD) display.
Sports tourer – The KTM sports tourer 1290 Superduke GT (Gran Turismo) is a version of the 1290 Superduke R naked bike that has been modified for more touring comfort with a longer and more robust frame, modified handlebar, larger fuel tank and modified 75 degree V-twin four-stroke LC8 motor. Like the 1290 Super Adventure, the 1290 Superduke GT features three electronically controlled riding modes.[54]
Naked bikes – With the Duke and Superduke models, KTM currently offersnaked bikes with 125, 200, 250, 390, 690, 790, 890 and 1290 cc displacement. The 125 (not available in the US), 200, 250, 390 and 690 and 690 R Duke models have a single-cylinder four-stroke LC4 motor. The 790, 890 Duke use a new twin-parallel engine. The 1290 R Superduke model is equipped with a 75 degree V-twin four-stroke motor (LC8).[55]
200, 250 and 390 Duke models are currently produced by Bajaj Auto in Pune, India. The 250 is only available in Asia, with only the Duke 390 and Duke 200 being exported to European countries and North America. The Duke 200 2020 model is now available in the United States and has a new redesigned 200 cc displacement engine.
Supersport – KTM sport bikes currently offered in the supersport category include the RC 125 (not available in the US) and the RC 390. Both are street-legal versions of bikes that compete in street races. With the RC16, KTM has presented a 1000 cc sport bike that will race in the MotoGP class of the 2017 Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix.[56] Whether there will be a street-legal production version of the RC16 at a later point in time is yet unclear.
In Asia, KTM also markets RC 200 and RC 250 street bikes. KTM is also planning to introduced a new 150cc bike in its RC lineup in the Asian countries. This would be the KTC RC 150, that will powered by a 149cc, single-cylinder engine and 6-speed gearbox. This will be launched at a more affordable price, so everyone can opt for it.[57]
Superbike – Currently, KTM has retired fromsuperbike production and competitions.[41] From 2008 to 2015, the company produced the1190 RC8 superbike, a light, powerful homologated (street-legal) bike for superbike competitions with an LC8 motor and without any of the electronic driving aids that the otherwise comparable Superduke and Super Adventure models offer.
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| Sport Bikes | Naked | Super Moto Bikes | Super Enduro/ Adventure Bikes | Other Bikes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RC125 | 125 Duke | FREERIDE E-SM | ||
| RC 200 | 200 Duke | |||
| RC 250 | 250 Duke | 250 Adventure | 450 SXATV | |
| RC 390 | 390 Duke | 390 Adventure | 450 XCATV | |
| 625 SMC | 620/625 | 505 SXATV | ||
| 640 SMC | 640 Adventure | 525 XCATV | ||
660 SMC | ||||
| 640-690 Duke 690 Duke R  | 690 SMC 690 SMC R | 690 Enduro 690 Enduro R  | ||
| 950 SM 950 SMR  | 950 Super-Enduro R 950 Adventure  | |||
790 Duke | ||||
| 990 Super Duke R | 990 SM R 990 SM T | 990 Adventure | ||
| 1090 Adventure 1090 Adventure R | ||||
| 1190 RC8 | 1190 Adventure | |||
| 1290 Super Duke R 1290 Super Duke GT  | 1290 Super Adventure R 1290 Super Adventure S 1290 Super Adventure T |
Since 2016,[58] KTM motorcycles have been designed by KISKA, a Salzburg-based design firm. KISKA also designed four versions of the X-Bow and is responsible for the overall branding for KTM and Husqvarna.
Under the Powerparts label, KTM sells tuning and styling parts for its street and off-road motorcycles and the X-Bow.[59] The Powerwear label offers race gear and equipment, clothing, accessories and merchandise articles.[60]
The KTM X-Bow (pronounced cross-bow) is a series of lightweight, two-seatersports cars known as the X-Bow R, the X-Bow RR, the X-Bow GT and the X-BOW GT4.[61] The R and GT versions of the X-Bow are street-legal in Europe, North America, China and Australia. It uses anAudi engine and a carbon fibre chassis developed in cooperation with Italian racing car manufacturerDallara, making it the world's first street-legal car with a full carbon fibremonocoque.
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