Every major motorcycle manufacturing epicenter in the world has its crown jewel; America is proud of Wisconsin’s Harley-Davidson, Southeast Asia boasts India’s hero MotoCorp, while Austria’s KTM AG has the upper hand in Europe. KTM is famous for its class-dominating and race-defining motorcycles, all of which are unmistakably dressed in the brand-typical Pumpkin and Eerie Black color scheme. However, KTM’s success is largely due to its dominance in the dirt bike scene, an accomplishment that is easily achieved every year by its impeccable selection of off-road bikes.
In the recent past, KTM has also announced its intention to take over the street bike category with one of the most complete and technologically advanced lineups for street sports and adventure touring Bicycles for riders of different abilities. And KTM’s ingenuity and skill don’t seem to stop there, considering it already has Finger in the MotoGP cake. As KTM AG continues to demonstrate its ambitions in multiple disciplines, most people are quick to forget the ingrained history and journey in motorsport that ensured that KTM remains determined to become the most impressive motorcycle company in the world.
The Austrian engineer Johann Trunkenpolz opened a car repair shop in 1934 and named the company Motor Vehicle Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. Although the business specialized in metalworking, locksmithing, car repair and motorcycle repair, Trunkenpolz was also interested in the sale of motorcycles and automobiles.
In the course of the further expansion of the company after the Second World War, it became the largest DKW motorcycle supplier in all of Upper Austria. And since the number of engine repairs decreased after the war, the company also specialized in the manufacture of spare parts such as crankshaft bearings for motorcycles.
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The R100 was KTM’s first production motorcycle
The post-war period offered innumerable opportunities for economic growth; That’s why Hans Trackenpolz switched his business to motorcycle development in order to appeal to people who couldn’t afford cars. With the knowledge and experience gained from selling and repairing motorcycles, Trunkenpolz built his first motorcycle, the R100, as a prototype in 1951.
Armed with a team of 20 employees, Trunkenpolz began production of the R100 in 1953, with an average of three complete motorcycles per day. With the exception of the Rotax engines from Fitchel & Sachs, all custom-made in-house parts were used in the KTM R100. In the same year that production began, the company was renamed Kronreif & Trankenpolz Mattighofen after the businessman Ernst Kronreif joined KTM as a major shareholder and investor.
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KTM won a championship title on their racing debut
The R100 was a lightweight, 98 cc, 2-stroke motorcycle that performed surprisingly well at racing events. Trunkenpolz and his team presented the R100 at the 5th Gaisberg Hillclimb competition in 1953. Within a year of its production, the R100 exceeded expectations and won the first three places in the first KTM race.
One year after KTM’s first race win, the R100 made its debut at the Austrian State Championship and the 1000th KTM motorcycle won the 125cc class for the first time. The success of this race spawned the 125cc KTM Tourist model, with which Egon Dornauer won gold on the KTM debut at the International Six-Day Race. Unknown to many, this series of successes formed the backbone of KTM in racing.
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KTM filed for bankruptcy in 1991
In the 80s, KTM had already achieved a lot. KTM was the first manufacturer to offer front and rear disc brakes, and its bikes have been crowned champions in various racing disciplines. In addition, the product range of KTM was extensive, the number of employees was huge and the export demand increased day by day. By the end of the 1980s, the Japanese motorcycle wildfire emerged.
Yamaha, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki dominated the international motorcycle market with irresistible motorcycles that eventually toppled other two-wheel giants. Unfortunately for KTM, Erich Trunkenpolz, the son of Hans Trankenploz and KTM boss, also passed away during this time. KTM was in danger and succumbed to creditor bankers in 1991.
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The KTM portfolio consists of four separate units
Before filing for bankruptcy, KTM had a rich product portfolio in the 1970s and 1980s. The new lease included dividing the portfolio into four independent units. KTM car radiators still had a fair share of the market; thus the KTM Kuhler GmbH took over their production. Other spare parts were assigned to toolmaking and KTM toolmaking.
In addition, the bicycle line has been a solid product with excellent market revenues since 1964, earning its portfolio now known as KTM Fahrrad GmbH. The motorcycle division, the core of KTM’s overall success, was spun off into KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH. After this turbulent time, KTM finally adopted the now characteristic orange paintwork.
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KTM has taken over several companies
In 2015, KTM had grown to become the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe. However, this was not possible without smart acquisitions. In 1995 KTM took over the Swedish Husaberg AB, manufacturer of two- and four-stroke enduro motorcycles. Husaberg AB’s sister company, Husqvarna Motorcycles, joined the KTM group in 2013, but kept the iconic blue, yellow and white color scheme.
KTM also owns WP Suspension GbmH, formerly White Power Suspension, as a 100% subsidiary for motorcycle suspension systems. Corresponding Cycle News, KTM acquires 60 percent of GasGas Motorcycles based in Spain in 2019 to further consolidate their supremacy in Europe.
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KTM produces engines in-house
KTM had the vision to produce a KTM bike through and through with in-house parts. However, the achievement is due to many years of research, testing and development dating back to the 1970s. Extensive work began with in-house 125cc engines, which proved crucial in winning numerous championship trophies.
In 2002, KTM founded the KTM engine plant to produce four-stroke, two-stroke, twin and single cylinder engines for all KTM models. The plant consists of an assembly plant, a mechanical production plant and a parts warehouse, which is managed by the tool department.
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KTM builds more than just motorcycles
From its beginnings as a repair shop until today, KTM has dealt with more than just motorcycles. In the early 1960s, KTM had scooters and mopeds in its range, although they faded into the 80s. KTM was back during the sports ATV craze in the early 2000s and used 450 cc and 525 cc quads. However, KTM stopped production of the Quad range and left the ATV market entirely.
KTM worked with Dallara, Kiska Design and Audi to build the KTM X-Bow hypercar. The ultra-light sports car is specially designed for racing and road use and has been offered by KTM in various equipment variants since 2008. In addition to participating in racing events, the X-Bow has made several appearances in racing games such as Forza Horizon, Gran Turismo Sport, The Crew, Asphalt 6 and Project CARS.
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KTM offers motorcycles for numerous markets
It cannot be denied that KTM has set high standards with the construction of off-road motorcycles in the enduro, motocross, cross-country and free ride categories, all of which are suitable for racing straight from the showroom. Nonetheless, the brand’s prowess extends to street and racetrack markets. KTM offers a sporty all-in-one adventure package that is suitable for on- and off-road work. The Travel family includes models such as the 390 Adventure, 790 Adventure Rally, 690 Enduro R and the 1290 Super Adventure R.
KTM ventured into the naked genre with a full line of Duke and Super Duke models, with a choice of engines and bike sizes to suit riders of different levels of experience. In addition, KTM supplies models such as the 1290 Super Duke GT for the Sports Tourer segment, the 690 SMC R, 625 SMC, 560 SMR for Supermoto and the RC 390 and RC 16 for the SuperSport market.
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KTM bikes have won several competitions
KTM has stayed true to its “Ready to Race” mantra and has built competition-specific motorcycles that have won an impressive number of off-road enduro, supercross, motocross and rally championships. KTM currently holds 96 MX1, MX2 and MXGP World Championships, 260 AMA Supercross World Championships, 37 Cross Country World Championship titles and several Dakar Rally titles.
KTM is also successful on hard asphalt and off-road. It has won Grand Prix constructors ‘championships and Moto3 manufacturers’ titles. 2020 was particularly historic, as Brad Binder took sensational first MotoGP victory for KTM at the third round of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship. As with off-road racing, we can expect KTM to move to the next level in MotoGP racing.
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