One of the most well-known manufacturers of dirt bikes is KTM, whose models have a sleek design and impressive features that are sure to wow. This Austrian company has risen from humble beginnings as a repair shop to take the industry lead. Come with me as we look at where KTM off-road motorcycles came from and how they are now.
KTM’s founder (an engineer named Hans Trunkenpolz) opened a metal workshop in Mattighofen that same year, 1934. When he established his business, he called it Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. KTM was the first manufacturer to produce both dirt bikes and sports bikes, both of which debuted in 1951.
Over time, new versions are introduced annually by the manufacturer. After that, beginning in 1994, it started making Duke bikes. First, a quick overview of KTM’s place in the history of dirt bikes.
Many riders’ hearts have already been won over by KTM. One of the most successful companies in the dirt bike industry started out as a grubby garage. After several attempts, Bajaj Auto made an investment into KTM, and the company now has 47% ownership. The story of how it went from being a useless byproduct to the talk of the town.
History of KTM Dirt Bikes
Lets now discuss about the KTM dirt bike history according to the time.
KTM dirt bike history(1934-1960)
Hans Trunkenpolz began working with metals in 1934, when he started a shop to do so.
You’ll find it in the town of Mattighofen in Austria. He was a mechanical engineer who liked to play around with metals to make new car parts. In 1951, his company manufactured the first production dirt bike, which they dubbed the R100. The model’s potential and attractive layout impressed many people.
It began to attract attention, and early results were promising. They all kept pushing to improve things, and by 1953, the company had 20 people to build three motorcycles every day. Kronreif Trunkenpolz Mattighofen is now the official company name (KTM).
After two years, businessman Enrst Kronreif bought into the same company, changing its name to Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. In 1957, KTM made the Trophy 125cc, which was the first sports motorcycle made for sale. One year later, in 1960, KTM unveiled their pony scooter and moped.
Mid Time History Of KTM (1961- 1990):-
In 1968, the Penton Six Days cross-country dirt bike was made and sent to the United States. This was a big deal for riders. KTM’s first high-end motorcycles were released in 1973.
bikes with a 250cc engine that are used for cross and Enduro racing. KTM’s manufacture of the Hobby III started the next year, and in 1975, the Comet Grand Prix 125 RS made its debut as a KTM road model.
Initially, the firm relied on the import of engines, but beginning in 1976, it started manufacturing its own 125cc engine in-house.
In the 1980s, however, the first water-cooled 125cc motocross bikes appeared.
in 1981. The business also produced the world’s first 4-stroke dirt bike in 1982. KTM, through its hard work and original ideas, introduced front and rear disc brakes in 1986, before any other manufacturer.
However, scooter production ceased in 1988. In addition, Mr. Hans, the company’s founder, passed away in 1989. Investors and developers in the company’s other branches are piling money and effort into motorcycles.
Current Condition Of KTM (1991-2010):-
Radiators, dirt motorcycles, bicycles, and tooling were each established as separate divisions of the company in 1991.
KTM Sportdirt bike GmBH, the company’s newly founded dirt bike branch, began operations in 1992. Two years later, in 1994, KTM began manufacturing the duke series of road vehicles.
KTM LC4 engine and electronic starter development began at 1996. KTM launched a new model in 1997.
the first production adventure bike from the LC4 Supermoto line. In 1999, KTM began developing new 4-stroke dirt bike models and manufacturing KTM engines with dry lubrication for 125 and 200cc displacements.
KTM debuted the 950 Adventure and 990 Duke in 2003. New 990 super duke and 990 RC8 Venom bikes, along with the 950 Supermoto, were created the next year.
The company continued its efforts in this area and, in 2005, released the 950 Supermoto and the 990 Adventure, both of which also featured the 950 Super Enduro R.
Starting in 2007, KTM supplied all of the superbikes for the Red Bull Rookies Cup, and in the same year, they introduced the KTM X-Bow line of sports four-wheelers.
In January of 2008, Bajaj announced collaborations on the creation of two types of 125cc and 200cc dirt bikes for export to Europe and the Far East.
KTM Dirt Bikes (2010-2020)
KTM encountered too many difficulties between 2011 and 2020 to arrive at its current position. Let’s examine KTM’s progress since the year 2010.
Bajaj won the Moto3 manufacturers championship and collaborated with KTM to release the new Duke 200 motorcycles in 2012. KTM made a significant move in 2013 when it acquired Husqvarna bikes, reuniting its Husaberg and Husqvarna brands under the Husqvarna moniker.
KTM repeated as Moto3 World Champion in the same year it earned the Manufacturer of the Year award in 2014 and 2016. KTM made more than one billion euros in 2015 and employed many employees at their headquarters in the manufacturing sector.
The Supercross world championship was a major win for KTM, and the company captured the hearts of riders everywhere.
KTM made a historic breakthrough in 2015, when it received its most honors ever. Consistent success beginning at the turn of the 21st century and continuing into 2019 propelled the brand to the top spot.
Wikipedia’s article on KTM says that the company is currently run by a partnership made up of Pierer Mobility AG (51.7% of the company) and Bajaj Auto Limited International (47.99% of the company).
What KTM Produces?
The orange color of the KTM’s superbike is the brand’s most recognizable feature. On the other hand, it’s not just for motorcycle races. What follows is a description of the output of a typical KTM factory. It started with making off-road dirt bikes and refined them till they had the best features and looked great. After that, they moved on to creating 2-stroke and 4-stroke motorcycles.
The firm creates off-road motorcycles with features including Motocross, Cross-country, Enduro, and Free Ride. The company also creates a wide variety of street-legal motorcycles, including the Supermoto, Adventure tourer, Sports tourer, Naked bike, Supersport, Superbike, and many more.
You should know that it also produced components for other businesses, using a material that was difficult to crack or damage in the design process.
The company’s final product range also includes X-Bow two-seater racing cars. There have been four X-Bow models released so far, all of them use Audi powertrains and have been given the green light for public roads.
Why is KTM So Popular And Expensive?
KTM’s exceptional performance is largely responsible for the brand’s widespread renown. KTM is the company responsible for the creation of powerful 125cc and 200cc motocross bikes.
The Indian market wasn’t popular with motorcyclists until the business produced the top-tier 150cc, 200cc, and 300cc models. However, the situation was drastically altered as a result of KTM’s superior execution.
The bike’s design also sets it apart from other dirt bikes, which is a big factor in its popularity. Only KTM can give you the appearance of a sport bike at a reasonable price. In addition to its good looks, it also has
appreciable. For such a low cost, you just cannot find a comparable alternative. The instrument panel is computerized and features numerous readouts of relevant information.
In addition to its steel braided brake lines, aluminum Swingarms, trellis frame, turn indicators on rearview mirrors, projector headlights, handlebar crash protection, and underbelly exhaust, KTM has a number of other features that give it the appearance of a high-end car.
Last but not least, there is a sizable local market for it. Neither the cost of repairs nor the availability of replacement components should be disregarded. There is a nearby service center in every city and town. Furthermore, replacement parts are less expensive than those for competing motorcycles.
Other than this, very few brands can compete with it. All of the aforementioned features, characteristics, and distinctiveness set it apart from other dirt bike manufacturers and provide credence to its claims.
However, KTM motorcycles are more costly than many other dirt bikes.
brands. Due to the high engine rpms that are typical of bikes made by this company, too much heat is made, which can lead to failure in the long run. Preventing damage requires high-priced, high-strength components of many types.
Is KTM A Safe Bike or Not ?
According to a poll, KTM is the safest dirt bike as it comes with twin disc brakes and dual channel Bosch ABS which allows it to be a safe bike.
It’s bad for those who desire trustworthy bikes, to ride this bike, you need to slightly bend forward. Next reason is people who continually selling their old motorcycles regularly, they shouldn’t buy this one.
Since a KTM loses between 30% and 40% of its value in just a few years, the buyer won’t be able to get back what they paid for it when they sell it.
In sum, having a KTM bike is safe in the event of an accident and when riding on the road, but it may not be suitable for some individuals under certain conditions.
Conclusion
Please let me know if you still need any additional background on KTM dirt bikes or if you’ve already obtained it. KTM’s hip appearance and formidable racing prowess make it a favorite among young people.
KTM overcame significant obstacles on its way from a humble beginning in a back room to its current status as an international powerhouse. The next update will cover a wide range of dirt bike-related subjects.