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KTM (full original name Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen) is an Austrian global premium motorcycle, bicycle and motorsports brand, co-owned by Pierer Mobility AG (50.1% stake) and Indian automotive manufacturer Bajaj Auto (49.9% stake). Headquartered in Mattighofen, Upper Austria, it is widely recognized as one of the world's most successful off-road motorcycle brands, with a decades-long track record of dominant performances in top-tier extreme motorsports events.
Key moments
1934Founded as a small metal working shop by Hans Trunkenpolz
1954Officially launched first mass-produced motorcycles, starting small-scale production with around 20 staff making 3 units per day
1991Filed for bankruptcy amid operational difficulties, then restructured its standalone motorcycle division the following year
1994Released the iconic Duke naked sport bike series, its first mass-market street-focused vehicle line
1995Acquired premium suspension maker WP Suspension and Swedish off-road motorcycle brand Husaberg
2000-2020Secured 18 consecutive Dakar Rally motorcycle class championships (excluding the 2008 cancelled event), breaking the prior long-time monopoly of Japanese motorcycle brands
2011Formally entered the Chinese mainland market with multiple local assembled (CKD) product lines to lower consumer costs
2026Unveiled its updated MotoGP race team livery and launched the 990 RC R street sport bike with fully race-derived electronic control systems
KTM occupies a distinct niche in the global motorcycle market centered on motorsports pedigree and off-road capability, differentiating itself from both mainstream Japanese mass-market manufacturers and premium European road-focused competitors. Its vertically integrated supply chain (with in-house WP suspension technology featured even on its most entry-level 125cc models) delivers class-leading performance at accessible price points, while partnerships with Bajaj Auto and China's CFMoto reduce production and logistics costs for emerging markets. While it holds near-unrivaled reputation in off-road enduro and rally segments, it has smaller market share in standard daily commuter motorcycle categories compared to Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki, and faces steep competition from fellow European performance brands Ducati and Aprilia in street bike and MotoGP related consumer product lines.
Core competitive advantage: Unmatched Dakar Rally and MXGP winning heritage that reinforces its 'extreme performance' brand identity to consumers
Pricing tier coverage: Spans entry-level 125cc/390cc small displacement performance bikes targeted at new riders, to flagship 1290cc adventure and supermoto products for veteran enthusiasts
Strategic partnership network: Shared supply chain and market access across Pierer Mobility group brands including Husqvarna, GasGas and MV Agusta to reduce redundant R&D costs
Competitive gap: Limited product line of low-displacement, low-power commuter two-wheelers that prevents it from capturing mass price-sensitive consumer segments in developing markets
As framed by World Brand Lab analytical frameworks, KTM ranks among the top tier of global premium two-wheeler brands, distinguished by its singular, unrivaled focus on motorsports pedigree and off-road performance that has built a distinct, highly differentiated identity separate from mass-market and road-focused premium competitors. The brand’s long track record of podium finishes at the world’s most grueling off-road racing events has created an inherent association between the KTM name and uncompromising durability, power, and race-ready capability that resonates strongly with performance-focused riders across every global market.
KTM’s carefully calibrated ownership and partnership structure, with 50.1% ownership held by Austria’s Pierer Mobility and 49.9% stake held by India’s Bajaj Auto, has allowed the brand to expand its production footprint and reduce barriers to entry for new consumers without diluting its core premium performance positioning. Unlike many peers that outsource key core component production, KTM’s in-house development of signature WP suspension technology gives its entire product line, even entry-level models, a verifiable performance edge that reinforces its brand promise at every price point.
While KTM does not hold dominant market share in mainstream commuter motorcycle segments where mass-market Japanese brands hold longstanding advantages, its targeted niche positioning has allowed it to build exceptionally high brand loyalty among its core customer base, with very low customer churn rates and consistent repeat purchase intent that supports long-term sustainable brand value growth.
Brand Leadership
Score: 87/100
KTM holds undisputed top market share in the global off-road enduro and rally motorcycle segments, with its factory team having secured dozens of Dakar Rally and FIM Enduro World Championship titles that set it apart from competing two-wheeler brands, cementing its reputation as the category benchmark for performance-focused off-road two-wheelers.
Community Interaction
Score: 82/100
The brand maintains a highly engaged global fanbase of off-road racing participants, amateur riders and moto culture enthusiasts, with organized local KTM riding events, official rider support programs, and widely shared user-generated content of off-road adventures that drive higher social media engagement rates than many mass-market motorcycle brands.
Brand Momentum
Score: 79/100
KTM has recorded consistent year-over-year sales growth in emerging two-wheeler markets including Southeast Asia, India and Latin America over the past 5 years, expanding its street bike and electric two-wheeler product lines to capture new consumer segments outside its core off-road niche while retaining its core motorsports credibility.
Operational Stability
Score: 81/100
Backed by the long-term partnership between majority owner Pierer Mobility and strategic stakeholder Bajaj Auto, KTM benefits from diversified global production bases and a stable vertically integrated supply chain, with no major brand identity or ownership disruptions recorded over the past two decades of continuous operations.
Brand Heritage & Longevity
Score: 75/100
Founded in 1934 in Mattighofen, Austria, KTM carries more than 90 years of continuous engineering heritage in the two-wheeler space, with its decades-long unbroken participation in top-tier international motorsports events creating a durable legacy that younger performance two-wheeler brands cannot easily replicate.
Industry Recognition Profile
Score: 85/100
KTM is widely cited across the global motorcycle industry as a benchmark for off-road performance innovation, with its in-house WP suspension technology widely regarded as a leading component standard for high-performance off-road two-wheelers, earning consistent industry awards for product engineering and motorsports achievement every year.
Globalization Reach
Score: 78/100
KTM now distributes its full product lineup in more than 90 countries worldwide, leveraging partnership production facilities in India and China to make its product offerings accessible to price-sensitive emerging market consumers while retaining its premium Austrian brand identity in mature Western markets.
All illustrative brand value estimates for KTM generated in this framework are supported by structured AI-driven brand strength reasoning that incorporates public brand performance, market reach, and industry heritage data points. All non-audited figures shared here are for reference and illustrative purposes only, and parties seeking official verified audited KTM brand value metrics are advised to contact World Brand Lab directly for formal, fully audited brand valuation results.
Husqvarna Motorcycles GasGas WP Suspension
products
Motorcycles, sports cars
num employees
2,931 (2017)‡R2R‡
industry
Motor vehicles
owner
Bajaj Auto (≈100% via Bajaj Mobility AG)
homepage
ktmgroup.com ktm.com
KTM AG is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle and motorsports brand. It traces its foundation to 1934 as K ronreif & T runkenpolz M attighofen. Today, Bajaj Mobility AG (formerly Pierer Mobility AG) operates as the manufacturer of KTM-branded motorcycles, and KTM Fahrrad GmbH operates as the manufacturer of KTM-branded bicycles.
KTM is known for its off-road motorcycles and as a reputed MotoGP constructor.
In November 2025, it was announced that Bajaj Auto had completed the acquisition of a controlling stake in KTM for €800 million, increasing its indirect holding to approximately 75%.[4]
History
Early years
In 1934, Austrian engineer Johann (Hans) Trunkenpolz (1909–1962)[5] set up a fitter's and car repair shop[6] in Mattighofen.In 1937, he started selling DKW motorcycles, and Opel cars the following year. His shop was known as Kraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, but the name was unregistered. During the Second World War, his wife took care of the business which was thriving mainly on account of diesel engine repairs.[7]
After the war, demand for repair works fell sharply and Trunkenpolz started thinking about producing his own motorcycles. The prototype of his first motorcycle, the R100, was built in 1951.[8] The components of the motorcycle were produced in house, except for the Rotax engines which were made by Fichtel & Sachs. Serial production of the R100 started in 1953. With just 20 employees, motorcycles were built at a rate of three per day.[9]
Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Era [1953–1991]
In 1953, businessman Ernst Kronreif became a major shareholder of the company, which was renamed and registered as Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. In 1954, the R125 Tourist was introduced,[10] followed by the Grand Tourist[11] and the scooter Mirabell[12] in 1955.
The company secured its first racing title in the 1954 Austrian 125cc national championship.[13] In 1956, KTM made its appearance at the International Six Days Trials, where Egon Dornauer won a gold medal on a KTM machine.[14]
In 1957, KTM built its first sports motorcycle, the Trophy 125cc.[15]
Bicycles: Urcauf Family Era [1992 Onwards]
After the split, Urcauf family took over the bicycle division KTM Fahrrad GmbH in 1992.
In 1994, they started producing bikes with aluminium frames and electric bikes.
In 1996, Carol Urkauf-Chen takes over the company.
In 1998, They adopt orange colour in their logo.
In 2006 they launch bikes with full carbon frame.
In 2007, they shift to a new headquarter in Wels, Upper Austria.
In 2018 Owner Carol Urkauf-Chen moves to the supervisory board, Johanna Urkauf and Stefan Limbrunner act as managing directors.
Motorcycles: Stefan Pierer Era [1992-2025]
Austrian Automotive entrepreneur Stefan Peirer took control of KTM Motorcycles in 1992 and later took over the sibling tooling division KTM Werkzeugbau. In the following years, while steadily increasing production and turnover, investing in new production and R&D facilities,[22][23][24] introducing new models and successfully sponsoring and taking part in various sports racing events, the company underwent a series of restructurings and stakeholder changes guided by KTM's managing director Stefan Pierer.
In 1994, KTM started production of the Duke series of road motorcycles; in 1996, KTM motocross machines were first decked out in KTM's signature orange color,[25] and 1997 saw the introduction of liquid-cooled two-cylinder Supermoto and Adventure motorcycles.In 2007, the company debuted the KTM X-Bow sports car.[26]
Motorcycles: Bajaj Auto Era [2025 onwards]
In 2025, Bajaj Auto, who were until now holding 49% stake in Pierer Mobility had offerred to take full control of KTM and its sister concerns by an 800 million Euro debt package. The deal was concluded in November 2025. Pierer Mobility is due to be rennamed as Bajaj Mobility which will hold 74.94% shares in KTM; rest of which lies in public hands.
Operations
At present, KTM brand is operated by two corporate houses-
Bajaj Auto — motorcycles & affiliated businesses
KTM Fahrrad GmbH — bicycles & related businesses
KTM Motorcycles
KTM has facilities in Austria, India (partnership with Bajaj), and China (partnership with CFMoto) producing over 380,000 motorcycles (290,000 KTM models) in 2023.[37][38] The main production site located at Mattighofen, Austria manufacturers majority of the models.In collaboration with Bajaj, the facilitiy located in Pune, India is responsible for producing smaller displacement motorcycles, including the Duke and RC series, for both the domestic and international markets.[39]
Motorsports
KTM entered motorsports competing in motocross racing around 1972 after collaborations with Penton on various off-road bikes.KTM won its first motocross championship in 1974 when Gennady Moiseyev claimed the 250cc Motocross World Championship.[45] By the end of 2016, KTM had won more than 260 world championship titles, making the company one of the most successful brands in motorsports.[22] KTM has claimed 96 MXGP, MX1 and MX2 world titles since 1974 and 114 E1, E2, E3 and Super Enduro world titles since 1990.With Ryan Dungey's 2015, 2016 and 2017 victories in the supercross world championship, KTM gained a successful presence in supercross racing as well.In 1994, a KTM factory team debuted at the Dakar Rally. In 1998, KTM riders won second to twelfth place. With consecutive wins from 2001 to 2019, the manufacturer has dominated the rally for 18 years now. KTM teams successfully compete in other rally raid events like the Atlas Rally or the Rallye du Maroc.KTM has won 37 cross country rallies world titles since 2003 and has won the FIM Cross-Country Rallies World Championship 15 times, most recently in 2015.
In 2003, KTM started sponsoring and supporting road racing in various capacities, with the most successful results stemming from their
Products
Off-road motorcycles
KTM manufactures a wide range of off-road motorcycles. Not all of their models are available in every country. The following section lists bikes that are sold in the US.
Motocross – The current Motocross line designated by SX includes 50, 65, 85, 105, 125, 150, 250 and 300 cc single-cylindertwo-stroke models (the 50 SX, 65 SX and 85 SX models are kids' and youth bikes), and 250, 350 and 450 cc single-cylinder four-stroke models (SX-F).[50] In 2005 KTM released the new 250SX-F to the general public. Since 2007, the SX-F's have been KTM's new racing motocross range. Current versions of the KTM SX-F line have a dual overhead camshaft engine dubbed the “RC4”.
Cross-Country – The current cross-country line designated by XC includes 150, 250 and 300 cc two-stroke models and 250, 350 and 450 cc four-stroke models. The two-stroke XC machines except the 150 cc model are available with either wide-ratio or close-ratio transmission (when switching gears, there is a more or less pronounced rpm change). The four-stroke models are fitted with a semi-close ratio gearbox. Most models are equipped with an electric starter.[51]
The 1960s also saw the beginning of bicycle production in Mattighofen.
Ernst Kronreif died in 1960.[17] Two years later in 1962,[18] Hans Trunkenpolz also died of a heart attack. His son, Erich Trunkenpolz, took charge of the company's management.
As the company continued to expand, the workforce totaled 400 in 1971, and forty years after it was founded, KTM was offering 42 different models. Additionally, KTM was able to produce motorcycles for the racing industry and began producing motorcycles for John Penton.During the 1970s and 80s, KTM also started to develop and produce engines and radiators.Radiators sold to European car manufacturers constituted a sizable part of the company's business in the 1980s.[19]In 1978,[20] US subsidiary KTM North America Inc. was founded in Lorain, Ohio.
In 1980, the company was renamed KTM Motor-Fahrzeugbau KG.[19] One year later, KTM had about 700 employees and a turnover of 750m. Schilling (about 54.5m. euros). International business then amounted to 76% of the company's turnover.[19]
However, scooter and moped turnover sank rapidly, and production had to be halted in 1988.[19] Erich Trunkenpolz died in 1989.Takeover of a 51% interest in the company by the Austrian investment trust GIT Trust Holding controlled by Austrian politician Josef Taus in 1989 was followed by unsuccessful attempts to turn the indebted company around,[21] and in 1991, management of KTM was transferred to a consortium of creditor banks.
In 1991, the company was split into four new entities: KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH (motorcycles division), KTM Fahrrad GmbH (bicycles division), KTM Kühler GmbH (radiators division) and KTM Werkzeugbau GmbH (tooling division).
In 1995, KTM acquired Swedish motorcycle maker Husaberg AB and took control of the Dutch company WP Suspension.
In 2007, Indian motorcycle manufacturer Bajaj Auto acquired a 14.5% stake in KTM; which by 2013, increased to 47.97%.
In 2010 KTM Kühler divested their automotive radiator business to Mahle GmbH and the motorcycle radiator business to WP Suspension under WP Radiator brand.[27]
In 2013, KTM acquired the formerly Swedish motorcycle maker Husqvarna Motorcycles from its prior owner BMW.[22] The same year, KTM re-integrated the brand Husaberg into Husqvarna Motorcycles from which it had spun off in the 1990s when Husqvarna was sold to the Italian company Cagiva.In 2019, KTM acquired a majority stake of 60% in the Spanish enduro motorcycle brand GasGas.[28] In 2020 GasGas became a wholly owned subsidiary of KTM.[29]
In 2021 Bajaj Auto sold 46.5% of KTM's shares to Pierer Mobility AG in exchange for 49% shares in the latter company[30] and thus became an indirect stakeholder in KTM.
In 2022, KTM's Parent Company Pierer Mobility acquired a 25.1% stake in Italian motorcycle company MV Agusta;[31] and increased to a majority 50.1% in 2024.[32]
In 2023 Pierer Mobility's financial situation became increasingly unsustainable and by 2024 they had a heavy debt to pay off.[33] In 2024 KTM went into self imposed administration.[34] Pierer Mobility was compelled to sell their stake in MV Agusta back to the previous owners the Sardarov family.[35]
In the early 2025 Stefan Pierer started exiting from executives roles in KTM and its affiliates, making way for new investors.[36]
KTM and CFMOTO oversee the global production of the two LC8c models (
790 Duke
and 790 Adventure) in Hangzhou, China.
Furthermore, KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH and Husqvarna Motorcycles GmbH operate 24 and 8 distribution subsidiaries worldwide, respectively, most of them in European and Asian countries and in the US.
Joint ventures
KTM started exporting their GS model to the US in 1968 through an American importer, John Penton under the Penton brand. This joint venture lasted until KTM established KTM America Inc. in Ohio in 1978.[40]
In 2005, KTM-Sportmotocycle began a partnership with ATV manufacturer Polaris Industries with the goal of shared research, and more importantly shared distribution networks. This partnership was a two-year trial arrangement, at the end of which both parties had the option of merging the two companies into one. In 2006, KTM announced that the partnership with Polaris had been downgraded, and would instead only supply their 450cc and 510cc RFS engines to Polaris.[41]
In January 2008, Bajaj announced that it would jointly develop two new 125cc and 200cc bikes for Europe and the Far East. The bikes would be badged KTM.[42] In January 2012, Bajaj launched the Duke 200 model in India.[43]
In November 2022 KTM acquired a 25,1 % stake in the Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta.[44]
Joint ventures
KTM started exporting their GS model to the US in 1968 through an American importer, John Penton under the Penton brand. This joint venture lasted until KTM established KTM America Inc. in Ohio in 1978.[40]
In 2005, KTM-Sportmotocycle began a partnership with ATV manufacturer Polaris Industries with the goal of shared research, and more importantly shared distribution networks. This partnership was a two-year trial arrangement, at the end of which both parties had the option of merging the two companies into one. In 2006, KTM announced that the partnership with Polaris had been downgraded, and would instead only supply their 450cc and 510cc RFS engines to Polaris.[41]
In January 2008, Bajaj announced that it would jointly develop two new 125cc and 200cc bikes for Europe and the Far East. The bikes would be badged KTM.[42] In January 2012, Bajaj launched the Duke 200 model in India.[43]
In November 2022 KTM acquired a 25,1 % stake in the Italian motorcycle manufacturer MV Agusta.[44]
KTM Bike Industries
KTM as a brand is also used by KTM Fahrrad GmbH, which, as the exclusive licensee, manufactures bicycles and bicycle accessories. This company originated by the spin-off of KTM in 1991 and shares the same history and heritage as that of KTM Motorcycles.
supermoto
efforts.
From 2003 to 2009, a KTM factory team competed in the 125 cc class of the motorcycle Grands Prix, and between 2005 and 2008 in the 250 cc class.
Notable successes in the 125 cc class were the second and third place in the overall ranking scored in 2005 by KTM riders Mika Kallio and Gábor Talmácsi, the second place in 2006 by Mika Kallio, the third place in 2007 by Tomoyoshi Koyama and the 2005 KTM victory in the 125 cc constructor's championship.
In the 250 cc class, Mika Kallio won third place in 2008.
Since the first Rookies Cup season in 2007, KTM has supplied the bike for the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
In 2009, KTM announced their withdrawal from Grand Prix motorcycle racing in all classes, and did not return until 2012 in the new Moto3 class.
In 2012, KTM won the Moto3 manufacturers' championship.During the next season, KTM riders prevailed in every race of the Moto3 class and won the world title as well as second and third place, making KTM the obvious victor of the manufacturers' standing.KTM won the manufacturer title in the 2014 and 2016 as well as the world title in 2016 in the Moto3 class. Starting in 2017, KTM fields bikes in both MotoGP and Moto2 classes as well. The main class team features Jack Miller and Brad Binder as full-season riders, Mika Kallio as wildcard rider, and Dani Pedrosa as test/development rider.The Moto2 KTM Ajo team features Pedro Acosta and Albert Arenas. Steadfastly independent and confident of their company's abilities, KTM chose to use a steel trellis frame where all other manufacturers used aluminum. In addition, KTM insisted on developing their own racing suspension through their WP subsidiary (all other manufacturers used Öhlins). KTM demonstrated their prowess in doing things their own way by winning their first Moto GP premier class race on August 9, 2020, with rookie Brad Binder crossing the finish line in first place.
From 2009[46] to 2011,[47] KTM teams competed in the IDM, the Superbike International German Championships.There were speculations about a possible KTM foray[48] into the superbike world championship.Due to the company's focus shifting away from the RC8 and generally superbike design, these plans are off the table for the foreseeable future.[49]
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. All KTM bikes also come from the factory with a Motorex sticker on the outside of the motor.All first fills of oil come from Motorex as well.Some official KTM teams use different colors for their bikes, most noticeably in the Dakar Rally.
The very lightweight XC bikes are competition bikes only; they do not meet homologation regulations.
Enduro – The street-legal EXC enduro versions of KTM's XC cross-country bikes are supplied with plusher non-linkage suspensions, a wider-ratio gear box and lights.
The current line available in the US consists of 350, 450 and 500 (actually 510 cc) four-stroke EXC models.[51]
Free Ride – A KTM original class of off-road motorcycle that could be described as a cross between Enduro and trials bikes. The Freeride 250R is powered by a lighter, modified version of the 250 EXC Enduro engine and has a specially developed six-speed gearbox with close transmission ratios in the lower gears and a wide ratio for the sixth gear.[52] A four-stroke 350 cc free ride model with similar characteristics,[53] and the all-electric single-speed models Freeride E-SX, Freeride E-XC as well as their street version Freeride E-SM are available in Europe.[54]
Street and Dual Purpose Bikes
The first KTM street bike was the 1994 Duke 620.[55][56][57]
Standard/Naked – With the Duke and Superduke models, KTM currently offers naked bikes with 250, 390, 990 and 1390 cc displacement. The 125 (not available in the US), 250 and 390 models have a single-cylinder four-stroke LC4 motor. The 990 Duke use a new twin-parallel engine. The 1390 R Superduke model is equipped with a 75 degree V-twin four-stroke motor (LC8).[58]
The 200, 250 and 390 Duke models are currently produced by Bajaj Auto in Pune, India. The 250 is only available in Asia, with only the Duke 390 and Duke 200 being exported to European countries and North America.
Dual Sport – KTM currently produces the 390 Enduro R and 690 Enduro R Dual sport models which are basically road bikes suitable for off-road excursions. These bikes typically have lower seat heights and more comfort features than a "street legal" off-road bike.
Adventure touring – KTM currently produces the 390 Adventure, 890 Adventure R, and 1290 Super Adventure dual-sport adventure bikes in versions with different seat height, wheels and suspensions that endow the machines with a road (S), off-road (R – for rally) or touring (T) bias.[59] Not all versions are available on the US market.
The 1090 Adventure and 1290 Super Adventure bikes are powered by 75 degree V-twin four-stroke motors (LC8). The 790 Adventure is powered by the new LC8c parallel twin four-stroke motor. All 3 feature a slipper clutch, electronically controlled riding modes (sport, street and rain) with the 1290 and 790 featuring a TFT display and the 1090 featuring a twin (analog plus LCD) display.
Sport – KTM sport bikes currently offered in the supersport category include the RC 125 (not available in the US) and the RC 390. Both are street-legal versions of bikes that compete in street races. With the RC16, KTM has presented a 1000 cc sport bike that will race in the MotoGP class of the 2017 Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix.[60] Whether there will be a street-legal production version of the RC16 at a later point in time is yet unclear.
In Asia, KTM also markets RC 200 and RC 250 street bikes. KTM is also planning to introduced a new 150cc bike in its RC lineup in the Asian countries. This would be the KTC RC 150, that will powered by a 149cc, single-cylinder engine and 6-speed gearbox. This will be launched at a more affordable price, so everyone can opt for it.[61]
Sports Touring – The KTM sports tourer 1290 Superduke GT (Gran Turismo) is a version of the 1290 Superduke R naked bike that has been modified for more touring comfort with a longer and more robust frame, modified handlebar, larger fuel tank and modified 75 degree V-twin four-stroke LC8 motor.Like the 1290 Super Adventure, the 1290 Superduke GT features three electronically controlled riding modes.[62]
Supermoto – KTM was the first manufacturer to offer a competition-ready supermoto bike to the public. However, the company stopped supermoto production in 2016 to focus on stock 690 SMC R machines. For the 2019 Model year, the 690 SMC R model was completely renewed. The bike now has the latest version of the single cylinder LC4 power unit, introduced for the MY2016 Duke. The previous supermoto models included the 625 SMC and the race version 560 SMR. The 141 kg light 690 SMC R model has a 48 kW liquid-cooled one-cylinder four-stroke motor (LC4) and a hydraulically actuated APTC slipper clutch.[63]
X-Bow
The KTM X-Bow (pronounced cross-bow) is a series of lightweight, two-seater sports cars known as the X-Bow R, the X-Bow RR, the X-Bow GT and the X-BOW GT4.[64] The R and GT versions of the X-Bow are street-legal in Europe, North America, China and Australia.It uses an Audi engine and a carbon fibre chassis developed in cooperation with Italian racing car manufacturer Dallara, making it the world's first street-legal car with a full carbon fibre monocoque.
Discontinued
KTM retired from superbike production and competitions.[49] From 2008 to 2015, the company produced the 1190 RC8 superbike, a light, powerful homologated (street-legal) bike for superbike competitions with an LC8 motor and without any of the electronic driving aids that the otherwise comparable Superduke and Super Adventure models offer.
KTM has ceased production of 450SX, 450XC, 505SX and 525XC All-terrain vehicles
Two-stroke development
In the 1990s, AMA rule changes put the cheaper, simpler two-stroke machines at a disadvantage to four-stroke bikes in motocross competitions by limiting two-stroke displacement at 125 cc for the 250 cc class and 250 cc for the 450 cc class.[65] While other manufacturers have decided to discontinue their two-stroke models, KTM has continued with creating and improving their two-stroke engines and has consequently taken up a very high proportion of the two-stroke bike market.
New European emission laws have increased the pressure on two-stroke bikes, as their engines are less fuel efficient and produce more pollution than four-stroke engines. However, with newer advances in technology, two-strokes have begun to burn cleaner and pass stricter environmental standards. Starting in 2017, all newly registered motorcycles must conform with the Euro 4 regulations for emissions management. In May 2017, KTM unveiled a new two-stroke engine with direct fuel injection.By pressure-injecting an electronically controlled amount of fuel into the transfer port of the cylinder, the new TPI (transfer port injection) engines will be more fuel efficient and cleaner than classic carburetor two-stroke engines, albeit more complex and expensive.By 2018, 250 and 300 EXC TPI enduro models will be powered by the new engine.[66]
Design
Since 2016,[67] KTM motorcycles have been designed by KISKA GmbH, a Salzburg-based design firm. KISKA also designed four versions of the X-Bow and is responsible for the overall branding for KTM and Husqvarna.
Parts and Wear
Under the Powerparts label, KTM sells tuning and styling parts for its street and off-road motorcycles and the X-Bow.[68] The Powerwear label offers race gear and equipment, clothing, accessories and merchandise articles.[69]
