KTM

Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen (KTM) is an Austrian motorcycle and track car manufacturer

History

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 }}|Template error: argument title is required.}}</ref> in Mattighofen. It started out as a metalworking shop and was named Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. It wasn't until 1953 that KTM began production of motorcycles. With just 20 employees, motorcycles were built at the rate of three per day. In 1955, a businessman Ernst Kronreif became shareholder of the company, on acquiring a sizable portion of the company. It was then renamed Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen. Trunkenpolz died unexpectedly in 1989. During these early years of motocycle production at KTM, almost all components for the motorcycles were built in-house by KTM.

Throughout KTM's history, they have been on the leading edge of motorcycle technology. They were the first manufacturer to produce a liquid-cooled four-stroke motorcycle engine for an off road motorcycle, a design which has since been replicated by all other manufacturers (KTM even supplied radiators to Suzuki in their early water-cooling days). In 1986 KTM became the first motorcycle manufacturer to include both front and rear disc brakes on an off road motorcycle. Then in 1998, then they turned fast....they offered the first motorcycles with a linkless rear suspension, dramatically reducing the un-sprung weight of the bike. They were also the first to offer hydraulic clutch mechanisms on all models of motorcycles, and were the first to offer a competition-ready supermoto bike.

Financial difficulties

In 1992 the company became insolvent and was divided into three companies:

• KTM Sportmotorcycles GmbH, was renamed 1994 to KTM Sportmotocycles AG
• KTM Fahrrad GmbH (Bicycles)
• KTM Kühler GmbH (Radiators)

In the fiscal or business year ending in 2005, KTM Sportmotocycles AG delivered 80,000 motorcycles worldwide and began a partnership with Polaris Industries. Under the terms of the agreement, the two companies will help one another to extend their brands into the other's home market, KTM extending their reach into North America, and Polaris extending into Europe. This partnership is a two year trial arrangement, at the end of which both parties are giving the option of merging the two companies into one. In 2006 KTM announced that the partnership with Polaris had been ended early, and would instead only supply their 525cc RFS engines to the ATV manufacturer. KTM also announced their intention to enter the ATV market with either a late 2007 or 2008 model-year release.

The Swedish motorcycle company Husaberg AB and Dutch WP (Wim Peters) Suspension are now subsidiaries of the KTM Group.

New Directions

Beginning in 2006, KTM has began the development with a lightweight track car[1]. With an Audi engine and a Dallara sourced chassis, and a weight of less than 1400 lbs, it could be very fast.

X-Bow

• estimated start of production 2008
• weight: under 700 kg
• length: approximately 3,6 m
• engine: 1984 cm³, 220 hp, 300 NM (Audi 2.0 TFSI); Topversion 300 hp
• 6-speed gearbox or DSG
• price: about 40.000 Euro<ref>Kleine Zeitung (German)</ref> <ref>Der Standard (German)</ref>

Racing sponsorship

KTM began in motorsports with Motocross Racing. In the last few years KTM has gained more success in motorsports by dominating events such as the Paris-Dakar Rally and the Atlas-Rallye. In 2003, KTM started sponsoring and supporting Road racing in various capacities, with the most successful results stemming from their SuperMotard or Supermoto efforts. KTM's new road racing focus will soon grow to include Superbike competition with the help of their newly developed V-Twin engine dubbed the LC8 as employed in the 950 Adventure dual-sport motorcycle, and more specifically the 2005/2006 990 Super Duke followed by the superbike contender known as the RC8. The Super Duke will have a higher output, second generation version of the LC8 engine, geared for high rpm peak power as required in road racing and superstreet applications while the RC8 will sport a 1150cc version of the LC8 for more midrange.

KTM offers a range of different engines for its larger motorcycles, all liquid-cooled.

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. Some official KTM teams use different colors for their bikes, most noticably in the Paris-Dakar Rally.

In 2004, KTM abruptly pulled their support from the famous motorcycle trip around the world. BMW then donated all-terrain R1150GS Adventure motorcycles for this adventure. The documentary series Long Way Round follows actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on their extraordinary 20.000 mile journey from London to New York.

KTM Adventure FAQ

Section added to link to KTM Adventure reference and FAQ section created by Adventure Rider members.

References

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External link

• International website
• KTM Car Compay