KTM Motorcycles

KTM Motorcycles


KTM Sportmotorcycles has a deeply rooted motorsport
tradition, building race-ready motorcycles for competitive and
recreational riding. More than 130 world championship titles, victories
at Dakar and countless national championships are proof of the company’s
great technical expertise. Recently, the company has entered into the
streetbike category with a variety of sporting and adventure-touring
road-going machines.

• 1934
  
  Austrian engineer Hans Trunkenpolz opens a metal-working shop in
  Mattighofen, Austria. The name of the business is Kraftfahrzeuge
  Trunkenpolz Mattighofen
  
  
  
• 
  1951
  
  The company’s first motorcycle is developed – the R100.
  
  
  
• 
  1953
  
  The company becomes officially known as ‘Kronreif, Trunkenpolz,
  Mattighofen’ (KTM). A team of 20 employees is producing three
  motorcycles per day.
  
  
  
• 
  1954
  
  The 100th KTM motorcycle is delivered.
  
  
  
• 
  1955
  
  A businessman, Ernst Kronreif becomes a sizeable shareholder of the
  company, which is renamed Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen.
  KTM Tourist (125cc) model is developed.
  
  
  
  
• 
  1957
  
  KTM builds first sports motorcycle – the Trophy 125cc.
  
  
  
• 
  1959
  
  Motorcycle production ceases. First KTM Pony scooter and moped are
  introduced.
  
  
  
• 
  1963
  
  The Comet moped is introduced.
  
  
  
• 
  1966
  
  The 10,000th Comet rolls off the line.
  
  
  
• 
  1968
  
  The cross-country Penton Six Days dirt bike is produced and exported
  to the United States.
  
  
  
• 
  1970
  
  KTM begins producing its own engines. (Previously, many of the dirt
  bikes had been equipped with Sachs motors.) New 250cc motocross bike is
  developed.
  
  
  
• 
  1973
  
  KTM begins production of the 250 Cross and Enduro bike.
  
  
  
• 
  1974
  
  Production of the KTM Hobby III begins.
  
  
  
• 
  1975
  
  KTM introduces the road model Comet Grand Prix 125 RS.
  
  
  
• 
  1976
  
  KTM produces its own 125cc engine.
  
  
  
• 
  1978
  
  KTM America Inc. established in Lorain, Ohio. 50cc product range
  extended.
  
  
  
• 
  1981
  
  Production of first water-cooled 125cc motocross bikes.
  
  
  
• 
  1982
  
  Motocross models outfitted with new Pro Lever rear suspension.
  Company develops its first 4-stroke engine with water cooling.
  
  
  
• 
  1986
  
  KTM becomes the first manufacturer to offer front and rear disc
  brakes on an off-road machine.
  
  
  
• 
  1987
  
  Production begins on the KTM 4-stroke engine – single cylinder,
  560cc, overhead camshaft.
  
  
  
• 
  1988
  
  KTM stops production of scooters.
  
  
  
• 
  1989
  
  Hans Trunkenpolz, founder, dies.
  
  
  
• 
  1991
  
  KTM files for bankruptcy. The company is split into four independent
  arms – radiators, motorcycles, bicycles and tooling.
  
  
  
• 
  1992
  
  Newly formed motorcycle division opens – KTM Sportsmotorcycle GmbH.
  
  
  
• 
  1994
  
  KTM Sportsmotorcycle GmbH renamed KTM-Sportsmotorcycle AG.
  Production of Duke series of road models begins.
  
  
  
• 
  1995
  
  Company acquires Husaberg AB and takes over White Power Suspension
  (NL).
  
  
  
• 
  1996
  
  Production begins for KTM LC4 engine with electric starter.
  
  
  
• 
  1997
  
  LC4 Supermoto road model is introduced. Also, KTM’s first adventure
  bike – the LC4 Adventure – is introduced.
  
  
  
• 
  1998
  
  PDS Linkless suspension system is developed for 2-stroke models.
  Also, new 125 and 200cc engines and new Z design are introduced.
  
  
  
• 
  1999
  
  Production begins on new 4-stroke engine – RACING 400/520. Also, the
  first KTM engines with separate lubrication (125 and 200cc) are
  introduced.
  
  
  
• 
  2001
  
  Fabrizio Meoni wins the Dakar rally on an LC4 660R. KTM completely
  dominates the motorcycle class for the future of the event, which runs
  for the last time in 2007.
  
  
  
• 
  2003
  
  Company introduces 950 Adventure and presents 990 Duke.
  Backed by Red Bull, the company enters the 125cc World Championship.
  After a couple of challenging years developing the machine, Mika Kallio
  will finish second overall in ’05 & ’06.
  
  
  
  
• 
  2004
  
  KTM launches the 990 Super Duke and introduces the 990 RC8 Venom and
  the 950 Supermoto at the Intermot in Munich.
  After earlier agreeing in principle to supply motorcycles to two
  out-of-work actors, so they can make a documentary about a trip across
  Eurasia and North America, KTM abruptly drops the project. Ewan McGregor
  and Charlie Boorman get BMWs instead, and make “The Long Way Round.”
  
  
  
  
• 
  2005
  
  KTM launches the 950 Supermoto and introduces the 990 Adventure and
  the 950 Super Enduro R.
  The company announces a strategic partnership with Polaris, with the
  goal of shared R&D, and more importantly shared distribution
  networks. The plan is to try this relationship out for two years and, if
  it proves fruitful, to merge the two companies.
  
  
  
  
• 
  2006
  
  The partnership with Polaris is dramatically downgraded. KTM
  announces that from now on, the company will simply supply Polaris with a
  few motors for ATVs.
  
  
  
• 
  2007
  
  The company supplies all the 125cc motorcycles for the Red Bull
  Rookies Cup.