KTM – Introduction

KTM

KTM was established in 1934 as a repair workshop in Mattighofen, Austria.  The first KTM motorcycle emerged in 1951, although it would take until 1970 for a KTM engined motorcycle to be produced in the Mattighofen factory.

A road race in Mattighofen 1956 (photo:KTM)

Although the KTM name is most often associated with hardcore motocross and enduro motorcycles, the first KTMs were road machines and KTM today produces a range of very fine street bikes, such as the 690 SMC, the 690 Duke, the 990 Super Duke, SMR and SMT as well as the RC8 Superbike.

2013 KTM LC8 990 SMT

KTM’s core operations continue to be based at Mattighofen.

KTM reception Mattighofen

KTM LC8 RC8 Superbike

KTM R&D Centre

KTM factory Racing Centre, Munderfing, Austria

In recent years, the Indian company Bajaj has held a significant minority shareholding in the company and manufactures the small capacity Duke 125cc and 200cc models in its Maharashtra, India plants.

For 2014, KTM is introducing the new Super Duke

The new Super Duke in Black – nicer that traditional KTM orange imo.

You can read about the history of KTM here