To all the visitors who have in the past clicked on the KTM tab at the top of the page only to find that there was nothing there, my apologies – I have now posted the official KTM history there along with some photos which have ‘spoken’ to me. Hope you enjoy them.
KTM History
1934
Hans Trunkenpolz opens a repair workshop in Mattighofen [Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen].
1937
The Trunkenpolz company appears as an official supplier of motorcycles for the first time (sale of DKW motorcycles).
1938
The Trunkenpolz company expands continuously, becoming one of the biggest motorcycle and car repair workshops in Upper Austria.
1951
First major development commences: a lightweight motorcycle of 98 cc (R 100).
1953
Introduction of the first production series of KTM motorcycles (a team of 20 completes 3 motorcycles per day). First racing activities (5th Gaisberg competition: KTM comes first, second and third).
[Businessman and racing enthusiast Ernst Kronreif buys into KTM.] The company is now officially known as “Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen”.
1954
Delivery of the 1000th KTM motorcycle. KTM wins the Austrian 125 category national championships for the first time.
1955
Development of the KTM Tourist model (125 cc); first road races.
1956
First participation in the International Six Days; Egon Dornauer wins gold.
1957
Range extended to include a sports motorcycle (Trophy 125 cc) and its first scooter (Mirabell).
1958
Erwin Lechner keeps on winning off-road with KTM’s new racing motorcycle, constructed by engineer Ludwig Apfelbeck.
1959
Motorcycle production ceases as the result of the crisis in the two-wheel industry. However, the first “Ponny” scooter and KTM moped are introduced.
1963
Range increased to include the Comet.
1964
Bicycle production commences. Cross-country racing resumed; birth of the first KTM works team participation in the Six Days.
1966
Production of the 10,000th Comet moped. KTM wins three gold medals at the international Six Days in Sweden.
1968
Production of the cross-country Penton Six Days for export to the USA.
1970
Production of the first KTM engines commences. Manfred Klerr wins the Austrian national championships on the newly developed 250 cc Motocross bike.
1971
KTM’s workforce reaches 400.
1973
Serial production of the 250 (Cross & Endure) commences. First WC points and Grand Prix wins for KTM (P. Roulev & G. Moissev).
1974
KTM’s product range consists of 42 different models. Series production of KTM Hobby III commences. Russian Gennadij Moissev wins the first 250 cc Motocross World Championship title for KTM
1975
Introduction of the road model Comet Grand Prix 125 RS. KTM works rider Sigi Lerner becomes Austrian Motocross road champion. Alessandro Gritti becomes European Enduro Champion. Gennadij Moissev wins his second 250 cc Motocross World Championship on KTM.
1976
Construction of our own 125 cc engine. International success for the Italian Farioli racing team (two European Championships).
1978
“KTM America Inc.” established in Lorain, Ohio; the company’s first US subsidiary. 50 cc product range extended. Third 250 cc Motocross World Championship title for KTM and Moissev.
1980
Company name changed to “KTM Motor-Fahrzeugbau KTM”. Intensive further development of the sports models (weight reduction, membrane steering).
1981
Production of the first water-cooled 125 cc Motocross bike. 700 employees achieve an annual turnover of ATS 750 million, 76% of the production is exported to 13 countries.
1982
Motocross models fitted with the new “Pro Lever” back wheels suspension. Development of a KTM 4-stroke engine with water-cooling commences (first supplier on the market).
1984
Manufacture of KTM radiators commences. First order for the Austrian Army. Heinz Kinigadner becomes 250cc Motocross World Champion on KTM.
1985
Production of the 100,000th KTM engine (500cc, liquid cooled, over 50 bpm). Heinz Kinigadner wins the 250cc Motocross World Championship for the second time.
1986
KTM becomes the first manufacturer to offer disc brakes front and rear. KTM wins every category at the Six Days in Italy.
1987
Series production commences of the KTM 4-stroke engine (1 cylinder, 560ccm, overhead camshaft). Production of 98,000 radiators, 93,700 bicycles, 12,600 mopeds and 10,600 motorcycles.
1988
Scooter manufacture ceases.
1989
KTM and Trampas Parker (USA) become 125cc Motocross World Champion, and Motocross World Champions in the sidecar category with the Huesser twins (CH). Majority shares sold by KTM to GIT Trust Holding. Company manager Erich Trunkenpolz dies.
1991
KTM Motorfahrzeugbau AG files for bankruptcy; divided into independent successors for radiators, motorcycles, bicycles and tooling manufacture.
1992
The newly formed motorcycle division – KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH – opens up under new management, new Hard Enduro concept and a new motorcycle design. KTM Enduro World Championship title 1990 goes to Paul Edmondson (125), Peter Hansson (500), 1991 and 1992 to Jeff Nilsson (125), 1992 to Mario Rinaldi (350).
1993
KTM Rally commitment begins (win at the Atlas Rally in 5 categories).
1994
KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH renamed KTM-Sportmotorcycle AG. Workforce 212. Company commences production of the road model of the Duke series.
1995
Acquisition of Swedish Husaberg AB and takeover of White Power Suspension (NL). Production of 12,000 motorcycles, turnover ATS 1.1 billion. 2 Enduro World Championship titles, wins at the Master Rally and the Tunisia Rally.
1996
First series production of KTM LC4 engine with e-starter. Other subsidiaries set up (Germany and Switzerland). KTM-Motorradholding AG listed on the Vienna stock exchange. 500cc Motocross World Championship title with Shayne King, countless wins in Enduro and Rally competitions.
1997
Market introduction of the LC4 Supermoto for the road, and LC4 Adventure, KTM’s first cruising bike. 3 Enduro World Championship titles: Shane Watts (125), Mario Rinaldi (400) and Kari Tiainen (500).
1998
PDS (Linkless Suspension System) on the 2-stroke models, new engine generation 125/200cc, new Z design. Construction of a new assembly plant with a new R&D centre. Marketing subsidiary KTM UK opens. KTM wins 2nd to 12th position at the 20th Paris-Dakar Rally.
1999
Production commences at KTM’s new manufacturing facility. Production of KTM’s new 4-stroke engine with separate lubrication 125/200cc.
Marketing subsidiary KTM Spain opens. Withdrawal from the stock exchange. Enduro World Champion Juha Salminen (125), overall winner of the Enduro World Championship (Giovanni Sala). Thierry Magnaldi wins the new Rallly World Cup.
2000
Introduction of KTM’s 2-cylinder project at the Intermot Munich. Marketing subsidiary KTM France opens. Extremely good year for competitions: KTM wins 6 World Championships! 125cc Motocross World Champion (Grant Langston), 500cc Motocross World Champion (Joel Smets), 125cc Enduro World Champion (Juha Salminen), 250 4T Enduro World Champion (Matteo Rubin), 400cc Enduro World Champion (Mario Rinaldi), 500cc Enduro World Champion (Kari Tiainen).
2001
Move to the new spare parts warehouse in Mattighofen. 5 times victory for KTM at the Dakar Rally: Fabrizio Meoni wins the Dakar. Juha Salminen takes World Enduro Championship title and James Dobb wins 125cc Motocross Championship.
2002
Move to the new engine assembly plant in Munderfing. Therry van den Bosch becomes World Supermoto Champion. Fabrizio Meoni wins the Dakar Rally riding the new 950 Rally twin. Juha Salminen wins the World Enduro Championship again.
2003
Launch of the 950 Adventure. Presentation of the 990 Duke. Entrainment in the new development centre in Mattighofen. 70,514 motorcycles sold worldwide with a total revenue of 376 million Euros.
KTM enters the 125cc Moto GP Road Racing World Championship. World Champions 2003: Juha Salminen (Enduro), Steve Ramon (125 MX), Joel Smets (650 MX), Rally world cup victory for Cyril Despres. National US Champions 2003: Grant Langston (125 Supercross), Mike Lafferty (Enduro).
2004
Launch of the 990 Super Duke, Presentation of the 990 RC8 Venom and the 950 Supermoto at the Intermot Munich. Construction of a new administration building in Mattighofen. Successful placement of the KTM bond at the capital market.
Foundation of two new subsidiaries in Hungary and Slovenia. World wide sales of 76,815 motorcycles and a total revenue of 402.4 million Euros 17 World Championship titles, 104 titles in total.
2005
Launch of the 950 Supermoto. Presentation of the 990 Adventure and the 950 Super Enduro R. Cooperation with Polaris Industries Inc. World wide sales of 80,356 motorcycles and a total revenue of 451.2 million Euros.
16 World Championship titles, 120 titles in total, KTM wins the Contractor title in the 125cc Road Racing World Championship. Cyril Despres wins the Dakar. All 6 Enduro World Championship titles go to KTM.
2006
In the business year 05/06 record sales at KTM – for the first time over EUR 500 million were achieved. A total of 84,421 motorcycles sold. This positive growth has been caused in the offroad segment by the introduction of further models and in the street segment by the successful presentation of the new models (990 Adventure, 950 Super Enduro) and the in sales (950 Supermoto) in the 2-cylinder segment. 9 riders world championship titles, 7 manufacturers titles – 136 World Championship titles overall.
2007
The extremely positive feedback at the world premiere of the KTM X-Bow at the Geneva International Motor Show has turned the balance: The Upper Austrian company will go into series production with the light weight sports car.
2008
The new highly modern KTM parts and logistics centre was finished and related products distribution starts taking place from this facility which guarantees a highly reliable and time efficient spare parts supply to the entire KTM world.
2008 was another very successful year in racing. The KTM factory teams win 9 riders and 7 constructors World Championship titles which lead to an amazing total of 162 titles.
2009
At the EICMA show in Milan KTM presented a revolutionary 350cc MX race bike along side two highly attractive 125 concept bikes, that brought out cheers, not only in the youth scene. The official racers provided a more than positive result again. The Motocross and Enduro teams achieved 4 out of 6 possible World Championship titles and a first KTM Superbike project resulted in a vice championship title at the IDM. The motorsport enthusiastic company now holds 173 World Championship titles.
2010
KTM does the impossible and brings home all Motocross World Championship titles. Antonio Cairoli wins the MX1 class on the revolutionary 350 SX-F while Marvin Musquin secures the MX2 title and Steffi Laier the WMX title.
The long awaited 125 Duke is successfully launched worldwide.
– • –
The 990 SMR and SMT models are introduced.
2011
Marc Coma wins the motorcycle class in the Dakar rally first time out on a KTM 450 Rally, marking his third win and KTM’s 10th consecutive win.
The Duke 690 4 is unveiled at EICMA. Also introduced is the Duke 200.
2012
Cyril Despres wins the motorcycle class in the Dakar rally on a KTM 450 Rally; an unbelievable 11th straight win for KTM, and a fourth win for Despres.
European Junior Cup series launched.
Sandro Cortese wins the Moto 3 world title on a KTM.
The Duke 690 R is unveiled at EICMA. A new model, the Duke 390 is also introduced.
2013
KTM kicks off the year with a strong team representation in the Dakar including South Africans Darryl Curtis and Riaan van Niekerk in the Broadlink KTM ‘B’ Team. When the rally ends in Santiago on 19th January, Cyril Despres has won his fifth Dakar title, KTM a 12th consecutive win and KTM riders and machines occupy the top five places.
My thanks to Franziska Brandl, MD of KTM Motorcycles SA (Pty) Ltd for supplying the history of KTM from 1934 to 2010. Wording in square brackets are editorial additions.
(All photos supplied and © KTM unless otherwise indicated)
