KTM stands for Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen. It is a motorcycle brand, with the abbreviation pointing to the two founders Ernst Kronreif and Hans Trunkenpolz. Mattighofen refers to a city in Austria, which is where the factory is situated.
There is lots to say about KTM, especially those who are into motorcycles. So, let us take a closer look at the company and the exquisite bikes it has to offer.
The History Of KTM
KTM is a company with loads of history. The company was founded in 1934 by Johann Hans Trunkenpolz. He started out in a small car repair shop in Mattighofen. Originally, he began selling some big brand motorcycles such as DKW. He also sold some Opel cars.
Trunkenpolz only considered selling his own motorcycles after the second world war. While they survived during the war by repairing diesel engines, their first bike prototype – the R100 – came to fruition in 1951. Interestingly, the only components that were not produced by KTM were the Rotax engines.
When Ernst Kronreif because one of the bigger shareholders within the company in 1953, the company eventually got the name Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen (KTM). The company would book great success after the creation of their first prototype, as the R125 Tourist, The Grand Tourist and the Scooter Mirabell would quickly follow.
KTM continued to do good across the world until 1988, when the sales of their scooters and mopeds tanked. Trunkenpolz would also die one year later, which led to a takeover of the company by creditor banks and an Austrian politician.
Several years later, the company would be divided in several sub-divisions including KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH, KTM Fahrrad GmbH, KTM Kühler GmbH, and KTM Werkzeugbau GmbH. The company would no longer produce motorcycles alone and add radiators, tools, and bicycles to their arsenal.
KTM In Motorsports
KTM does not solely focus on the sale of regular motorcycles, they put their attention to motorsports too. The brand became a serious competitor in motocross racing, obtaining their very first championship in 1974. The win would be attributed to their 250cc bike and take the World Championship.
Since their start in motocross, KTM has enjoyed many victories. With 96 titles in the MX-Series since 1974 and a whopping 114 titles in the E-series since 1990, the KTM brand remained a big competitor in the world of motocross.
In 1994, KTM put its sights on the Dakar Rally. For their debut, the company took the second and the twelfth place, which was quite impressive considering the harsh nature of the competition. It did not take too long for KTM to dominate completely either, as they enjoyed continuous wins from 2001 to 2019; this means the brand has been on top for a whopping 18 years!
KTM has not solely made an impact as a competitor, they also became a sponsor of various road racing events since 2003. It eventually led to KTM taking multiple constructor championships.
The KTM Range
When it comes to motorcycles, KTM has something to please everyone. Here are some of their most notable inventions and contributions.
The KTM Motocross Line – This range consists of both single-cylinder two-stroke motorcycle models and single cylinder four-stroke models. Their latest version in this line is the KTM SX-F, which is characterized by a dual overhead camshaft or OHC.
The Cross-Country Line – The cross-country line of motorcycles is created by XC and includes two-stroke models and four-stroke models. The majority of two-stroke models can be obtained with close and wide-ratio transmission.
The Enduro Line – Despite being road legal, this line has many applications in the cross-country motorcycling field. They are characterized by wider-ratio gears and lights.
The Free Ride Line – To many motorcycle enthusiasts, the free ride bikes are a combination of Enduro and trial bikes. Even though these bikes are quite popular within the United States, their biggest market lays in Europe.
The Supermoto Line – This line is no longer being produced, as manufacturing of the Supermoto line halted in 2016. Nevertheless, the company regularly brings out updated versions of this line; this includes a new Supermoto model with the single-cylinder LC4 power unit.
The Adventure Tourers Line – Adventure bikes are characterized by their unusual seat height, wheels, and even suspension. Because of these characteristics, not all Adventure bikes are available in the United States.
The Sports Tourers Line – The best-known model in the Sports Tourer line is the 1290 Superduke GT, also known under the name Gran Turismo. The bike is made with the rider’s comfort in mind and this is accompanied by a modified handlebar, bigger frame, and more fuel capacity.
The Naked Bikes Line – These bikes can look quite different from one another, as the sale of them is often limited to certain areas of the world. For example, the 200 and 250 Duke bikes are only available in Asia and are produced in India. The only exception is their 390 Duke, which is also being sold in the United States and Europe.
The Supersport Line – Two bikes currently being sold under the Supersport name are the RC 125 and the RC390. Even though the RC 125 is not available in the United States, they are both road legal. The bikes are also characterized by a street racing appearance and functionality. In fact, bikes from this class have known to be entered in Road Racing Championships.
The Superbike Line – This is another line from the KTM brand that is no longer being produced. The final creation was the 1190 RC Superbike with LC8 motor.
Why Choose KTM Motorcycles?
KTM is a brand with lots of history. The brand has endured for decades, even when the popularity of motorcycles decreased. The company has a large knowledge base and experience, which means reliability is high when you choose a motorcycle from KTM.
From affordable motorcycles of premium quality to the more expensive models with all the bells and whistles, KTM can cater to any kind of motorcycle lover out there.
