KTM Sportmotorcycle AGAktiengesellschaft is a German term that refers to a corporation that is limited by shares, i.e. owned by shareholders, and may be traded on a stock market. The term is used in Germany, Austria and Switzerland...
is an Austrian
motorcycleA motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
,
bicycleA bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
and
mopedMopeds are a type of low-powered motorcycle designed to provide economical and relatively safe transport with minimal licensing requirements.Mopeds were once all equipped with bicycle-like pedals , but moped has been increasingly applied by governments to vehicles without pedals, based on their...
manufacturer.
The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in
MattighofenMattighofen is a town in the district Braunau am Inn, part of the Innviertel region, in the Austrian state of Upper Austria.Initially Mattighofen belonged to the stem duchy of Bavaria, that became a part of Francia. In 757 a Kaiserpfalz of the ruling Carolingian dynasty was documented here...
. It started out as a metal working shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. In 1954 KTM began producing motorcycles.
KTM is most commonly known for its
off roadOff Road may refer to:*Super Off Road, 1989 arcade game released by Leland Corporation*Off Road Challenge, 1998 console game released by Nintendo*Ford Racing: Off Road, 2008 video game published by Empire Interactive...
motorcycles though in recent years it has expanded into street motorcycle production.
History
The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz in
MattighofenMattighofen is a town in the district Braunau am Inn, part of the Innviertel region, in the Austrian state of Upper Austria.Initially Mattighofen belonged to the stem duchy of Bavaria, that became a part of Francia. In 757 a Kaiserpfalz of the ruling Carolingian dynasty was documented here...
. It started out as a
metalworkingMetalworking is the process of working with metals to create individual parts, assemblies, or large scale structures. The term covers a wide range of work from large ships and bridges to precise engine parts and delicate jewelry. It therefore includes a correspondingly wide range of skills,...
shop and was named Kraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. It wasn't until 1953 that KTM began production of motorcycles. With just 20 employees, motorcycles were built at the rate of three per day. 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. Hans Trunkenpolz died in 1962 of a heart attack with his son Erich taking his place in company. During these early years of motorcycle production at KTM, almost all components for the motorcycles were built in-house by KTM.
Design
Since 1990, KTM motorcycles and automobiles (
X-BowThe KTM X-Bow is the first car to be developed by Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM, in partnership with Kiska Design, Audi, and Dallara. The X-Bow uses a turbocharged direct injected TFSI engine manufactured by Volkswagen Group, which produces at 5500 rpm and of torque between 2000 and...
) 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.
Financial structure
In 1992 the company became insolvent and was divided into three companies:
- KTM Sportmotorcycles GmbH, was renamed 1994 to KTM Sportmotorcycles AG
- KTM Fahrrad GmbH (Bicycles)
- KTM Kühler GmbH (Radiators)
In the fiscal or business year ending in 2005, KTM Sportmotocycles AG delivered 80,000 motorcycles worldwide and began a partnership with
Polaris IndustriesPolaris Industries is a manufacturer of snowmobiles, ATV, and neighborhood electric vehicles. Polaris is based in Medina, Minnesota, USA. The company also manufactures motorcycles through its Victory Motorcycles subsidiary and through the Indian Motorcycle subsidiary which it purchased in April...
. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will help one another to extend their brands into the other's home market, KTM extending their reach into North America, and Polaris extending into Europe. This partnership is a two year trial arrangement, at the end of which both parties are giving the option of merging the two companies into one. In 2006, KTM announced that the partnership with Polaris had been ended early, and would instead only supply their 450 cc and 525 cc RFS engines to the ATV manufacturer.
In November 2007, Indian two-wheeler manufacturer
Bajaj AutoBajaj Auto is a major Indian vehicle manufacturer started by Jamnalal Bajaj from Rajasthan in the 1930s. It is based in Pune, Maharashtra, with plants in Chakan , Waluj and Pantnagar in Uttaranchal. The oldest plant at Akurdi now houses the R&D centre Ahead...
acquired 14.5% stake in KTM Power Sports AG (parent company of KTM Sportmotorcycles AG). The two companies have signed a cooperation deal, by which KTM will provide the know-how for joint development of the water-cooled 4-stroke 125 cc and 250 cc engines, and Bajaj will take over the distribution of KTM products in India and some other Southeast Asian nations. In December 2007, Bajaj increased their stake to more than 20%. Bajaj increased its share to 38.09% in November 2010. Bajaj Auto holds a 39.03% stake.
The Swedish motorcycle company
Husaberg ABHusaberg is a manufacturer of off-road and supermoto four-stroke and two-stroke motorcycles. Husaberg motorcycles are known for their larger displacement engines and for their race-oriented construction...
and Dutch WP Suspension are now subsidiaries of the KTM Group.
Racing sponsorship
KTM began in motorsports with
MotocrossMotocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
Racing. In the last few years KTM has gained more success in motorsports by dominating rally-raid events such as the Paris-Dakar Rally and the Atlas-Rally. In 2003, KTM started sponsoring and supporting
Road racingRoad racing is a general term for most forms of motor racing held on paved, purpose-built race tracks , as opposed to oval tracks and off-road racing...
in various capacities, with the most successful results stemming from their Supermotard or
SupermotoSupermoto is motorcycle racing on a circuit that alternates between three types of track: flat track, motocross and road racing, using motorcycles designed for that purpose...
efforts. KTM's new road racing focus will soon grow to include Superbike competition with the help of their newly developed
V-TwinA V-twin engine is a two-cylinder internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged in a V configuration.- Crankshaft configuration :Most V-twin engines have a single crankpin, which is shared by both connecting rods...
engine dubbed the LC8 as employed in the 950 Adventure dual-sport motorcycle, and more specifically the 2005/2006 990 Super Duke followed by the superbike contender known as the
1190 RC8The KTM 1190 RC8 is a sport bike manufactured by KTM.. It has a V-twin engine and is the Austrian manufacturer's first-ever Superbike design.-Design:...
. The Super Duke will have a higher output, second generation version of the LC8 engine, geared for high rpm peak power as required in road racing and superstreet applications while the RC8 will sport a 1,190 cc version of the LC8 for more midrange.
KTM offers a range of different engines for its larger motorcycles, all liquid-cooled.
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 a
MotorexMotorex is a Swiss oil blending and manufacturing company located in Langenthal, Switzerland. It is currently the largest oil blending and manufacturing company in Switzerland and ships to over 75 countries. Motorex is owned by the Bucher AG Group which also holds two more affiliate companies...
sticker on the outside of the motor. All first fills of oil come from
MotorexMotorex is a Swiss oil blending and manufacturing company located in Langenthal, Switzerland. It is currently the largest oil blending and manufacturing company in Switzerland and ships to over 75 countries. Motorex is owned by the Bucher AG Group which also holds two more affiliate companies...
as well. Some official KTM teams use different colors for their bikes, most noticeably in the
Dakar RallyThe Dakar Rally is an annual rally raid type of off-road automobile race, organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation...
.
The 2004 documentary series
Long Way RoundLong Way Round is a documentary television series, DVD set and book documenting the journey of Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman from London to New York on motorcycles...
follows actors
Ewan McGregorEwan Gordon McGregor is a Scottish actor. He has had success in mainstream, indie, and art house films. McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting , young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy , and poet Christian in the...
and
Charley BoormanCharley Boorman is an English TV adventurer, travel writer and actor. He is well known for his association with motorcycles and enthusiasm for biking.-Education:...
on their extraordinary 20,000 mile journey from
LondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to
New York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. KTM were originally approached to provide the motorcycles used for this trip, but abruptly pulled their support from the venture only a few weeks before the team were set to depart from London.
BMWBayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
then donated BMW R1150GS Adventure all-terrain motorcycles for this adventure.
Off-road motorcycles
The term off-road refers to a driving surface that is not conventionally paved. This is a rough surface, often created naturally, such as sand, gravel, a river, mud or snow. This type of terrain can sometimes only be travelled on with vehicles designed for off-road driving (such as SUVs, ATVs, snowmobiles or mountain bikes) or vehicles that have off-road equipment. KTM manufactures vehicles for these environments.
MotocrossMotocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
- The 2010 SX line includes 65, 85, 105, 150 and 250 cc two-stroke models, and 250, 350, 450 four-stroke models. In 2005 KTM released the new 250SX-F to the general public. For the 2007 model-year, all of KTM's four-stroke SX motors were re-designed similarly to the 250 SX-F, in a dual-overhead cam 4-valve line dubbed the "RC4". The SX-F's are KTM's new racing motocross range introduced in 2007.
KTM now produce a 150SX (144 cc), which was developed to take advantage of AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) rule changes in the amateur classes.
Cross-Country The XC line includes 150, 250 and 300 two-strokes, and 250, 450, and 525 four-stroke models. The XC line updates and replaces their old MXC bikes. They feature a close-ratio gearbox, stiffer suspensions, and the four-strokes have a shorter-stroke design, mimicking their SX line. In 2007, they introduced the 250XC-F which is based on the 2006 SX model.
KTM's XC-W offroad bikes are 200, 250 and 300 two-strokes, and 250, 450 and 530 (actually 510 cc) four-strokes. They feature plusher suspension and a wider-ratio transmission than their XC line counterparts. The XC-W replaced their old EXC two-strokes, a move the company made in order to comply with EPA restrictions in the
United StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Two-strokes are still designated as EXCs in Europe markets.
EnduroEnduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on courses that are predominantly off-road. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges...
The 2009 EXC line consists of 250, 450, 530 (actually 510 cc) four-strokes, and 125, 200, 250 and 300 cc two strokes. The EXC line has been a long-time favourite for Enduro market, and outsell other larger-volume brands to
EnduroEnduro is a form of motorcycle sport run on courses that are predominantly off-road. Enduro consists of many different obstacles and challenges...
racers. The RFS motor (2000–2007) was replaced with the XC4 motor for the 2008 model year.
Super Enduro consist of 690 cc and 950 cc machines, mix between an enduro and a trail bike
SupermotoSupermoto is motorcycle racing on a circuit that alternates between three types of track: flat track, motocross and road racing, using motorcycles designed for that purpose...
KTM produces several supermoto race bikes with displacements ranging from 450 (a supermoto version of the 450sx-f) to 565 cc. They also make four non race-oriented models in 625, 654, 950 and 990 cc displacements. KTM was the first manufacturer to offer a competition-ready Supermoto bike to the public, and their sponsored racers currently sit atop the US Supermoto racing circuit.
The new LC8 SuperMoto 950 has received rave reviews from all the bike magazines and newspapers in the United Kingdom.
Dual-sportA dual-sport, colloquially known as "dualie" or an "on-off road bike" is a type of street-legal motorcycle that is designed for both on and off-road use. The terms All-road and Dual-purpose are also used...
Adventure bikes offered with both the LC4 Engine (Adventure 640, 640R) and the LC8 Engine (Adventure 950, 950S, 990), the 640R is the base of the Rally 660 which has won many Dakar Rallies.
KTM two-stroke development
Since the major rule changes in Motocross to make 4-stroke bikes more competitive in motocross and being given a 125 cc 2-stroke to 250 cc 4-stroke advantage the cheaper, simpler 2-stroke bikes have been dying out.
Since other manufacturers have decided to discontinue their 2-stroke models, KTM has continued with creating and improving their 2-stroke models and taking up a very high proportion of the 2-stroke bike market.
KTM has also created a new 2-stroke MX bike with 144 cc to comply with the 2008 AMA motocross class changes. This change has been made to bring back the 2-stroke bikes to encourage more entry to the market as the 2-stroke bikes are cheaper to maintain and repair than the expensive 4-stroke bikes.
Environmental agencies have tried to remove 2-stroke machines because they produce more pollution than 4-strokes. However with newer advances in technology 2-strokes have begun to burn cleaner and pass stricter green standards.
In recent interviews KTM has revealed that they will continue to produce and improve 2-stroke bikes and have already begun looking at DFI (Direct Fuel Injection). A DFI fuel induction system injects fuel at high pressure, over 100 bars (1,450.4 psi) into the combustion chamber, after the piston has closed the exhaust port. This eliminates almost any unburnt fuel escaping the combustion process and entering the atmosphere.
In 2011 KTM changed the look of their two-strokes, and in 2012 they added linkage rear shocks for the first time, on the SX and XC models.
X-Bow
Beginning in 2006, KTM has begun the development with a lightweight street legal (Europe) car known as the X-Bow. It will use an
AudiAudi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
engine and a
DallaraDallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993...
sourced chassis, and have a weight of less than 1400 lb (635 kg). This new car will seat two people.
- start of production July 2008. Delivery of the Dallara Edition (100) cars starts in August 2008.
- weight: 790 kg
- length: approximately 3.6 m
- engine: 1,998 cc, 237 hp (240 PS, 176 kW), 310 NM (229 ft-lbs) (Audi 2.0 TFSI); Topversion 300 hp
- 6-speed gearbox
- price: about 45,000 Euro
Joint Ventures
On the 8 January 2008,
BajajBajaj Auto is a major Indian vehicle manufacturer started by Jamnalal Bajaj from Rajasthan in the 1930s. It is based in Pune, Maharashtra, with plants in Chakan , Waluj and Pantnagar in Uttaranchal. The oldest plant at Akurdi now houses the R&D centre Ahead...
announced that it would jointly develop two new 125 cc and 250 cc bikes for Europe and the Far East. The bikes would be badged 'KTM'.
KTM Model History
- Freeride
- 50 Adventure
- 50 Pro Junior
- 50 Pro Senior
- 50 SX Mini
-2010:*New ignition cover for improved sealing*New inner clutch hub for improved reliability*New gearbox shaft for improved reliability*New water pump impeller for improved cooling and engine efficiency...
- 50 SX Junior
- 50 SX
- 65 SX
The KTM 65 SX is a youth motorcycle made by KTM. The factory introduced the motorcycle in 1998, but it's still available. It has a 64 cc single-cylinder two-stroke water-cooled engine, a six-speed manual gearbox and 56 kg dry weight....
- 65 XC
- 80 MX
- 85 SX
- 85 XC
- 105 SX
- 105 XC
- 125 Duke
- 125 EXC
- 125 GS Enduro
- 125 LC2
- 125 RS
- 125 RS Comet
- 125 Sting
- 125 Super-Moto
- 125 SX
- 150 SX
- 150 XC
- 200 EXC
- 200 GS EXC
- 200 MXC
- 200 SX
- 200 XC
- 200 XC-W
- 200 XC-W Street
- 250 EXC
- 250 EXC-F
- 250 MXC
- 250 SX
- 250 SX-F
- 250 XC
- 250 XC-F
- 250 XCF-W
- 250 XC-W
- 250 XC-W Street
- 300 EXC
- 300 EXC-E Enduro
- 300 GS Enduro
- 300 MXC
- 300 XC
- 300 XC-W
- 300 XC-W Street
- 350 SX-F
- 360 EXC Enduro
- 360 SX
- 380 EXC
- 380 MXC
- 380 SX
- 400 EXC
- 400 LC4
- 400 LC4 EGS
- 400 LC4 EGS-E
- 400 LC4 Supercomp
- 400 LC4-E Enduro
- 400 MXC
- 400 SX
- 400 XC-W
- 450 ECC
- 450 EXC
-2010:Offered as the Champions Edition in 2010. New features include new front Brembo brake caliper, PDS needle design, frame welded to steering head 10mm lower, reinforced gear box , reworked chain adjuster & clamping rail, better tension on timing chain This model has been replaced in 2008 to...
- 450 EXC-R
- 450 MXC
- 450 SMR
- 450 SX ATV
- 450 SX
- 450 SX-F
- 450 XC ATV
- 450 XC-F
- 450 XCR-W
- 450 XC-W
- 480 MXC
- 495 MC
- 500 K4
- 505 SX ATV
- 505 XC-F
- 520 EXC
- 550 MXC
- 520 SX
- 525 EXC
- 525 MXC
- 525 SX
- 525 XC ATV
- 530 EXC
- 530 EXC-R
- 530 XCR-W
- 530 XC-W
- 560 SMR
- 600 GS E
- 600 LC4 Enduro
- 600 LC4 Incas
- 600 LC4 XC
- 620 LC4 Adventure
- 620 LC4 EGS-E
- 620 LC4 LSE
- 620 LC4 Supercomp
- 620 LC4 Supermono
- 620 RXC
- 625 LC4 SC
- 625 SMC
- 625 SXC
- 640 Adventure R
- 640 Duke 2
- 640 LC4
- 640 LC4 Adventure
- 640 LC4 Adventure R
- 640 LC4 Enduro
- 640 LC4 Supercomp
- 640 LC4 Supermoto
- 640 LC4-E Enduro
- 640 LC4-E Super-Moto
- 660 LC4 Rally
- 660 Rally Replica
- 660 SMC
- 690 Baja Prototype
- 690 LC4 Rally Replica
- 690 Supermoto
- 690 Supermoto Prestige
- 690 Supermoto Limited Edition
- 690 Duke
- 690 Duke R
- 690 SMC
- 690 Enduro
The KTM 690 Enduro is an offroad Motorcycle made by KTM from 2008 to present....
- 690 SMR
- 690 Enduro R
The KTM 690 Enduro R is an offroad Motorcycle made by KTM from 2009 to present.It is different from KTM 690 Enduro by having different styling and 20 mm longer suspension travel as well as being 20 mm higher. The dashboard does not feature a Tachometer. As with all KTM R models the frame...
- 950 Adventure
The KTM 950 Adventure is a Dual-sport motorcycle that was produced in Austria by KTM. The bike is powered by a liquid cooled, four-stroke, DOHC 942 cc 75° V-twin engine, producing around .-History:The story of KTM 950 Adventure has started in 1992...
- 950 Adventure S
The KTM 950 Adventure is a Dual-sport motorcycle that was produced in Austria by KTM. The bike is powered by a liquid cooled, four-stroke, DOHC 942 cc 75° V-twin engine, producing around .-History:The story of KTM 950 Adventure has started in 1992...
- 950 Duke
- 950 LC8 Rally
- 950 Super Enduro R
- 950 Supermoto
- 950 Supermoto R
- 990 Adventure
The KTM 990 Adventure is an updated version of KTM 950 Adventure Dual-sport motorcycle produced in Austria by KTM. The bike is powered by the LC8 liquid cooled, four-stroke, DOHC 999 cc 75° V-twin engine, based on the design used in the KTM 990 Super Duke, producing around...
- 990 Adventure S
The KTM 990 Adventure is an updated version of KTM 950 Adventure Dual-sport motorcycle produced in Austria by KTM. The bike is powered by the LC8 liquid cooled, four-stroke, DOHC 999 cc 75° V-twin engine, based on the design used in the KTM 990 Super Duke, producing around...
- 990 Adventure R
The KTM 990 Adventure is an updated version of KTM 950 Adventure Dual-sport motorcycle produced in Austria by KTM. The bike is powered by the LC8 liquid cooled, four-stroke, DOHC 999 cc 75° V-twin engine, based on the design used in the KTM 990 Super Duke, producing around...
- 990 Duke
- 990 Super Duke
- 990 Super Duke R
- 990 Supermoto
- 1190 RC8
The KTM 1190 RC8 is a sport bike manufactured by KTM.. It has a V-twin engine and is the Austrian manufacturer's first-ever Superbike design.-Design:...
- 1190 RC8 R
- Hobby I
- Hobby II
- Hobby III
- Ponny
External links