KTM

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For the MotoGP race team, see Red Bull KTM Factory Racing.
For other uses, see KTM (disambiguation).
KTM AG
KTM-Logo.svg
KTM Main Building.jpg
KTM headquarters in Mattighofen
Type
Aktiengesellschaft (AG)
Traded as SIX: KTMI
Industry Motorcycle, automotive
Founder Hans Trunkenpolz, Ernst Kronreif
Headquarters Mattighofen, Austria
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Stefan Pierer (CEO)
Hubert Trunkenpolz (CSO)
Harald Pl�ckinger (COO)
Viktor Sigl (CFO)
Friedrich Roithner
(chairman of supervisory board)[1]
Products Motorcycles, sports cars
Production output
203,423 vehicles (2016)
Revenue Increase �1.14 billion (2016)[2]
Operating income
Increase �102.8 million (2016)[2]
Net income
Increase �72.1 million (2016)[2]
Owner KTM Industries AG (50.67%)
Bajaj Auto International Holdings BV (49%)
Public Float (0.33%)
Number of employees
Increase 2931[2]
Divisions KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH
Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH
Subsidiaries Husaberg, Husqvarna
Website ktm.com
ktmgroup.com
KTM AG (the former KTM Sportmotorcycle AG[3][4]) is an Austrian motorcycle and
sports car manufacturer owned by KTM Industries AG and Indian manufacturer Bajaj
Auto. It was formed in 1992 but traces its foundation to as early as 1934. Today,
KTM AG is the parent company of the KTM Group.

KTM is known for its off-road motorcycles (enduro, motocross and supermoto). Since
the late 1990s, it has expanded into street motorcycle production and developing
sports cars � namely the X-Bow. In 2015, KTM sold almost as many street as off-road
bikes.[5] Production of the KTM X-Bow started in 2007.

Since 2012, KTM has been the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe for four
consecutive years.[6][7] Globally, the company is among the leading off-road
motorcycle manufacturers.[8][9] In 2016, KTM sold 203,423 motor vehicles worldwide.
[10]

Contents
1 History
1.1 Early years
1.2 KTM 1953�1991
1.3 KTM after 1991
2 Corporate structure
2.1 Ownership
2.2 Subsidiaries
2.3 Joint ventures
3 Motorsports
3.1 Moto3 results
4 Products
4.1 Off-road motorcycles
4.2 Two-stroke development
4.3 Street bikes
4.4 Design
4.5 Parts and Wear
5 X-Bow
6 References
7 External links
History

Hans Trunkenpolz and Ernst Kronreif

Early years
In 1934, an Austrian engineer Johann (Hans) Trunkenpolz[11] set up a fitter's and
car repair shop[12] in Mattighofen. In 1937, he started selling DKW motorcycles,
and Opel cars the following year. His shop was known as Kraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz
Mattighofen, but the name was unregistered. During the Second World War, his wife
took care of the business which was thriving mainly on account of diesel engine
repairs.[13]

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.[14] The components of the motorcycle were
produced in house, except for the Rotax engines which were made by Fichtel & Sachs.
Serial production of the R100 started in 1953. With just 20 employees, motorcycles
were built at the rate of three per day.[15]

KTM 1953�1991
In 1953, businessman Ernst Kronreif became a sizable shareholder of the company
which was renamed and registered as Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. In 1954,
the R125 Tourist was introduced,[16] followed by the Grand Tourist[17] and the
scooter Mirabell[18] in 1955.

The company secured its first racing title in the 1954 Austrian 125cc national
championship[19]. In 1956, KTM made its appearance at the International Six Days
Trials where Egon Dornauer won a gold medal on a KTM machine[20].

In 1957, KTM built the Trophy 125cc first sports motorcycle[21]. KTM's first moped,
called Mecky, was launched in 1957, followed by Ponny I in 1960 and Ponny II in
1962 and Comet in 1963[22]. The 1960s also saw the beginning of the bicycle
production in Mattighofen.

Ernst Kronreif died in 1960[23]. Two years later in 1962,[24] Hans Trunkenpolz also
died of a heart attack. His son Erich Trunkenpolz took charge of the company's
management.

As the company continued to expand, the workforce totaled 400 in 1971, and forty
years after it was founded, KTM was offering 42 different models. Besides, KTM was
able to produce motorcycles for the racing industry. During the 1970s and 80s, KTM
also started to develop and produce motors and radiators. Radiators sold to
European car manufacturers constituted a sizable part of the company's business in
the 1980s.[25]

In 1978,[26] US subsidiary KTM North America Inc. was founded in Lorain, Ohio.

In 1980, the company was renamed KTM Motor-Fahrzeugbau KG.[25] 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 turnover.[25]

However, scooter and moped turnover sank rapidly, and production had to be halted
in 1988.[25] 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,[27] and in 1991, KTM management was transferred to a
consortium of creditor banks.

KTM after 1991

In 1992, the company was split into four new entities: KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH
(motorcycles division), KTM Fahrrad GmbH (bicycles division), KTM K�hler GmbH
(radiators division) and KTM Werkzeugbau GmbH (tooling division).

Now owned by KTM Motorradholding GmbH, which was formed by Cross Holding (a Cross
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 and D facilities,[5][28][29] introducing new
models and successfully sponsoring and taking part in various race sport events,
the company underwent a series of restructurings and stakeholder changes guided by
KTM's managing director and Cross Industries owner Stefan Pierer. In 1994, KTM
started production of the Duke series of road motorcycles, in 1996, KTM motocross
machines were first decked out in KTM's signature orange color,[30] and 1997 saw
the introduction of LC4 Supermoto and Adventure motorcycles. In 2007, the company
debuted the KTM X-Bow sports car.[31]

In 1995, KTM Motorradholding GmbH acquired Swedish motorcycle maker Husaberg AB and
took control of the Dutch company White Power Suspension.

In 2007, Indian motorcycle manufacturer Bajaj Auto bought a 14.5% stake in KTM
Power Sports AG. By 2013, Bajaj Auto held a 47.97% interest in the company.

In 2013, KTM acquired the formerly Swedish motorcycle maker Husqvarna Motorcycles
from its prior owner BMW Motorrad AG.[5] The same year, KTM re-integrated the brand
Husaberg into Husqvarna Motorcycles from which it had spun off in the 1990s when
Husqvarna was sold to the Italian company Cagiva.

As the final result of the restructuring process, KTM Motorradholding GmbH had
become KTM AG in 2012. In 2015, KTM generated a turnover of over 1 billion Euro and
employed 2515 people by the end of that year.[5] 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 and KTM K�hler GmbH (today WP
Radiators). KTM Fahrrad GmbH (KTM Bike Industries) remained an independent company
and is owned by Chinese investors. KTM-Group today contains the brands KTM and
Husqvarna Motorcycles.

Corporate structure
Ownership
KTM AG is presently owned by CROSS KraftFahrZeug Holding GmbH[32] (51.28%) and
Bajaj Auto Limited International Holdings B.V. (47.99%).[33][5] CROSS KraftFahrZeug
Holding GmbH is a subsidiary of KTM Industries AG (prior to 2016 CROSS Industries
AG),[34] founded by KTM AG�s current CEO Stefan Pierer. KTM Industries AG is owned
by Pierer Industrie AG (74.89%).[35]

Subsidiaries
As of 2017, KTM AG has the following subsidiaries:

KTM-Racing AG (Switzerland, 100%)

KTM-Sportmotorcycle India Private Ltd. (India, 100%)
KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH (100%, distribution of motorcycles and parts)
Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH (100%, distribution of motorcycles and parts)
KTM Sportcar GmbH (100%, production and distribution of the KTM X-Bow)
KTM Technologies GmbH (74%, R&D services)
KTM Immobilien GmbH (99%, owner of all property and buildings of the KTM Group)
WP AG (25%, former White Power suspension GmbH, production of motorcycle
components)
Kiska GmbH (26%, design company for the KTM Group)
Furthermore, KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH and Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH operate 24
respectively 7 distribution subsidiaries worldwide, most of them in European and
Asian countries and in the US.

Joint ventures
KTM started exporting their GS model to USA in 1968 through an American importer,
John Penton under the Penton brand. This joint venture lasted until KTM established
KTM America Inc. in Ohio in 1978.[36]

In 2005, KTM-Sportmotocycle began a partnership with ATV manufacturer Polaris

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.[37]

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 badged KTM.[38] In
January 2012, Bajaj launched the Duke 200 model in India.[39]

Motorsports

Mika Kallio's 125 cc road race motorcycle

Samuli Aro's WEC E2 class bike

Tony Cairoli's 350 SX bike

KTM began in motorsports competing in motocross racing. KTM won its first
championship in 1974 when Guennady Moisseev claimed the 250cc Motocross World
Championship.[40] 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.[5] KTM
has claimed 96 MXGP, MX1 and MX2 world titles since 1974 and 114 E1, E2, E3 and
Super Enduro world titles since 1990. With Ryan Dungey's 2015, 2016 and 2017
victories in the supercross world championship, KTM gained a successful presence in
supercross racing as well. In 1994, a KTM factory team debuted at the Dakar Rally.
In 1998, KTM riders won second to twelfth place. With consecutive wins from 2001 to
2018, the manufacturer has dominated the rally for 17 years now. KTM teams
successfully compete in other rally raid events like the Atlas Rally or the Rallye
du Maroc. KTM has won 37 cross country rallies world titles since 2003 and has won
the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship 15 times, most recently in 2015.

In 2003, KTM started sponsoring and supporting road racing in various capacities,
with the most successful results stemming from their supermoto efforts. From 2003
to 2009, a KTM factory team competed in the 125 cc class of the motorcycle Grands
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 in 2005 by
KTM riders Mika Kallio and G�bor Talm�csi, the second place in 2006 by Mika Kallio,
the third place in 2007 by Tomoyoshi Koyama and the 2005 KTM victory in the 125 cc
constructor championship. In the 250 cc class, Mika Kallio won third place in 2008.
Since the first Rookies Cup season in 2007, KTM has supplied the bike for the Red
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 new Moto3
class.

In 2012, KTM won the Moto3 manufacturers' championship. During the next 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 the 2014 and 2016 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 features Bradley Smith and Pol
Espargar� as full-season riders, and Mika Kallio as wildcard rider. The Moto2 KTM
Ajo team features Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder.

From 2009[41] to 2011[42], KTM teams have been competing in the IDM, the Superbike
International German Championships. There were speculations about a possible KTM
foray[43] into the superbike world championship. Due to the company's focus
shifting away from the RC8 and generally superbike design, these plans are off the
table for the foreseeable future.[44]

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 Motorex sticker on the outside of the
motor. All first fills of oil come from Motorex as well. Some official KTM teams
use different colors for their bikes, most noticeably in the Dakar Rally.

Moto3 results
Pos QAT
Qatar AME
United States ARG
Argentina ESP
Spain POR
Portugal FRA
France ITA
Italy CAT
Catalonia NED
Netherlands GER
Germany AUT
Austria IND
United States CZE
Czech Republic GBR
United Kingdom RSM
San Marino ARA
Aragon JPN
Japan AUS
Australia MAL
Malaysia VAL
Valencian Community Pts Position
2012 3 - - 3 1 5 2 3 2 1 - 3 2
3 1 2 1 1 1 1 346 1st
2013 1 1 - 1 - 1 1 1 1 1 - 1 1
 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 425 1st
2014 1 1 1 1 - 1 1 2 5 1 - 2 2
3 3 1 5 1 2 1 384 1st
2015 10 5 4 2 - 1 1 5 1 4 - 3 3
2 2 1 2 1 1 1 341 2nd
2016 2 1 3 1 - 1 1 2 3 2 1 - 7
1 1 2 2 1 3 1 382 1st
Products
Off-road motorcycles
KTM manufactures a wide range of off-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 and 250 cc single-cylinder two-stroke models (the 50 SX, 65 SX and 85 SX
models are kids' and youth bikes), and 250, 350 and 450 cc single-cylinder four-
stroke models (SX-F).[45] 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 a dual 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 either wide-ratio or
close-ratio transmission (when switching gears, there is a more or less pronounced
rpm change). The four-stroke models are fitted with a semi-close gearbox. Most
models are equipped with an electric starter.[46]

The very light weight XC bikes are competition bikes only; they don't meet
homologation 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[46] and the 690 cc Enduro R dual-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.[47] A four-stroke 350 cc free ride model with similar
characteristics,[48] 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.[49]

450 SX-F

350 EXC-F

Freeride 250 R
Freeride E-XC

KTM current off-road bikes by type (bold print: currently available in the US)
Two-stroke
Motocross

Four-stroke
Motocross

Two-stroke
Enduro/ XCountry

Four-stroke
Enduro/ XCountry

Plated
(street-legal)

Freeride
E-SX
E-XC

50 SX
50 SX mini

65 SX
85 SX 17/14
85 SX 19/16

125 SX
150 SX 150 XC-W
250 SX 250 SX-F 250 XC
250 XC-W

250 EXC

250 XC-F
250 EXC-F

250 EXC-F 250 R

300 XC
300 XC-W

300 EXC

350 SX-F 350 XC-F

350 EXC-F

350 EXC-F 350

450 SX-F 450 XC-F
450 EXC-F

450 EXC-F
500 EXC-F 500 EXC-F
690 ENDURO R 690 ENDURO R
Two-stroke development
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.[50]
While other manufacturers have decided to discontinue their two-stroke models, KTM
has continued with creating and improving their two-stroke machines and has
consequently taken up a very high proportion of the two-stroke bike market.

New European emission laws have increased the pressure on two-stroke bikes, as
their engines are less fuel efficient and produce more pollution than four-stroke
motors. However, with newer advances in technology, two-strokes have begun to burn
cleaner and pass stricter green standards. Starting in 2017, all newly registered
motorcycles must conform with the Euro 4 regulations for emission management. In
May 2017, KTM will unveil a new two-stroke engine with direct 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 classic carburetor two-stroke engines, albeit more
complex and expensive. By 2018, 250 and 300 EXC TPI enduro models will be powered
by the new engine.[51]

Street bikes

KTM Duke 620 � KTM's first stock supermoto bike

The first KTM street bike was the Duke 620 in 1994.[52][53][54]

Supermoto � KTM was the first manufacturer to offer a competition-ready supermoto

bike to the public. However, the company has stopped supermoto production in 2016,
selling only stock 690 SMC R machines. The 141 kg light 690 SMC R model has a 48 kW
liquid-cooled one-cylinder four-stroke motor (LC4) and a hydraulically actuated
APTC slipper clutch.[55]

Adventure tourers � KTM currently produces the 1090 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.[56] Not all versions are available on the US market.

Adventure and Super Adventure bikes are powered by two-cylinder four-stroke motors
(LC8) with a 75 degree cylinder and feature a slipper clutch, electronically
controlled riding modes (sport, street and rain) and 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 two-cylinder four-stroke 75 degree cylinder LC8 motor. Like the 1290 Super
Adventure, the 1290 Superduke GT features three electronically controlled riding
modes.[57]

Naked bikes � With the Duke and Superduke models, KTM currently offers naked bikes
with 125, 390, 690 and 1290 cc displacement. The 125 (not available in the US), 390
and 690 and 690 R Duke models have a single-cylinder four-stroke LC4 motor. The
1290 R Superduke model is equipped with a two-cylinder four-stroke 75 degree
cylinder LC8 engine.[58]

200, 250 and 390 Duke models are currently produced by Bajaj Auto in Pune, India.
They are only available in Asia, with only the Duke 390 being exported to European
countries.

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.[59] 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.

Superbike � Currently, KTM has retired from superbike production and competitions.
[44] From 2008 to 2015, the company produced the 1190 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.

1290 Super Duke GT

1290 Super Adventure R

1290 Super Duke R (Special Edition)

690 SMC R

KTM Sport / Naked / Super Moto / Adventure Street Bikes (bold print: currently
available in the US)
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 450 SX ATV
RC 390 390 Duke 450 XC ATV
625 SMC 620/625 505 SX ATV
640 SMC 640 Adventure

KTM 640 Adventure with rally fairings

525 XC ATV
660 SMC

KTM 660 SMC

640-690 Duke
690 Duke R

2014 KTM 690 Duke

690 SMC
690 SMC R 690 Enduro
690 Enduro R

KTM 690 Enduro

950 SM
950 SMR

KTM 950 SMR

950 Super-Enduro R
950 Adventure
KTM 950 Adventure trail riding
990 Super Duke R 990 SMR
990 SMT 990 Adventure
1090 Adventure
1090 Adventure R
1190 RC8 1190 Adventure
1290 Super Duke R
1290 Super Duke GT

KTM 1290 Super Duke R

1290 Super Adventure R
1290 Super Adventure S
1290 Super Adventure T
Design
Since 1992,[60] 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. This includes the design of the shops,
exhibits, web appearances, clothing/merchandise, video and printed material.

Parts and Wear

Under the Powerparts label, KTM sells tuning and styling parts for its street and
off-road motorcycles and the X-Bow.[61] The Powerwear label offers race gear and
equipment, clothing, accessories and merchandise articles.[62]