KTM Bikes


About KTM Bikes



KTM motorcycles are synonymous with racing tracks and motorsports. KTM make motorcycles, which are a marvel of engineering and are used both for fun riding and racing.

   
KTM sports bikes participate in the championships held in more than 130 countries. They have won numerous championships especially at Dakar. Now that the demand for street bikes is increasing all over the world, KTM has launched some stunning bikes in this category.

History of KTM Bikes



KTM had a humble beginning in Austria, when an engineer Hans Trunkenpolz opened a metal-working shop in Mattighofen, Austria in 1934. He named it as Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. After the Second World War was over, KTM produced its first ever bike the R100 in 1951. Hans Trunkenpolz was a motorcycle enthusiast, and his focus was to produce sports bikes.

Within two years, the employee strength of KTM swelled to about 20 and they started producing three bikes a day. It was rechristened as Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen in 1955 when Hans Trunkenpolz was joined by Ernst Kronreif, a prominent business who provided a much needed financial boost to the company by investing a sizeable chunk. Within no time, the company was able to produce a 125cc bike called KTM Tourist in 1955.

But the first ready to market sports bike could be built only in 1957, when KTM launched a 125cc bike, named the Trophy. However, because of some market related reasons it discontinued the bike production in 1959 and focused on the trend of scooters and mopeds in the sixties. But they could not keep themselves away from the lure of bikes for a longer time and in 1968 KTM produced a cross country Penton Six Days dirt bike for the United States market.

In 1970, in a breakthrough development, they started producing their own engines. In1996, they produced their first ever KTM LC4 electric start engine. In 2005, they produced three excellent motorbikes viz. 950 Supermoto, 990 Adventure and 950 Super Enduro R. In 2009, to establish their foot firmly in the racing industry, they started a factory based team sporting RC8s in the German Grand Prix.

Popular and latest KTM bikes in India



When it comes to off-road bikes, Austrian motorcycle giant KTM is unmatched. They are reining the sports arena since a long time. Bajaj Auto has tied up with KTM in India to launch their first ever street bike KTM 200 Duke. The reason behind launching this bike in India is its tremendous success in the European market just a year ago.

Last Updated on 6/15/2012