In 1934, Hans Trunkenpolz set up a repair shop in Mattighofen, Upper Austria. Three years later, he began selling DKW motorcycles, before expanding his workshop to become one of the largest car and motorcycle garages in Upper Austria. In 1951, the company began developing a motorcycle of its own, and two years later, series production of the KTM R 100 began. The company, whose official name was now "Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen", immediately took an interest in motorcycle racing, and was soon enjoying success.
Erwin Lechner was one of the drivers who scored numerous victories in 1960 at the wheel of a KTM motorcycle whose engine had been designed by engineer Ludwig Apfelbeck. KTM entered the American market with a 125cc motocross bike in 1968, and the racing successes it achieved there soon spread to Europe. The 70s saw the introduction of powerful 50 cc models and the first motocross world title, won by KTM in 1974 with Russian rider Gennadij Moiseev in the 250 cc class.
Riders Heinz Kinigadner and Trampas Parker began to build the modern KTM legend with three world championship titles in the 1980s and a reputation for off-road expertise at the time. In 1984, KTM began developing a liquid-cooled four-stroke motorcycle and launched series production of its first LC4 engine in 1987 - a concept that has remained a true KTM success story over the years. The motorcycle industry fell on hard times in the late '80s. KTM Motorfahrzeugbau AG was not spared and suffered greatly. In 1991, KTM Motorfahrzeugbau AG was forced to file for bankruptcy. A year later, the new motorcycle division KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH was launched with new management, a new Hard Enduro concept and a new type of design. Eager for success, the company moved into rallying, developed the first DUKE motorcycle in 1994 and, just one year later, acquired WP Suspension and sportsbike manufacturer HUSABERG. Titles in Shane King's 500cc Motocross World Championship and many other races revived the sporting heritage of the long-established KTM brand. In 1999, the company moved to its new factory in Mattighofen.
Since 2001, the Austrian company has been one of the most successful in the Dakar Rally and, having adopted the now well-known "READY TO RACE" philosophy, has made motorcycle racing the core character of the brand. The dual-purpose, long-distance 950 ADVENTURE sports bike made its first appearance in 2003. At the same time, KTM enjoyed success in the World Road Racing Championship when Casey Stoner scored the brand's first victory on the Grand Prix circuit on his orange 125cc motorcycle. Shortly afterwards, KTM launched its first two real road bikes, the 990 SUPER DUKE and the 950 SUPERMOTO. The first "made in Austria" Superbike - the 1190 RC8 - followed in 2008; it made a name for itself in its market, and the Mattighofen team entered it in the German International Superbike Championship (IDM) a year later, finishing second in its first season.
Over the years, orange bikes have been entered in more and more races. While KTM still dominates international enduro, motocross and rally racing, it is redoubling its efforts in the big supercross races in the USA, and is able to quickly achieve numerous successes in these championships. In 2015, the successes achieved again surpassed those of previous years: Ryan Dungey won the first-ever supercross title for the Austrian manufacturer and confirmed this with a second success by winning the US Professional Motocross Championship. Not to mention the 2012 entry into the new Moto3 World Championship with a race bike entirely "made in Austria". Sandro Cortese won the title on his first attempt, and repeated the feat in 2013, marking another remarkable milestone in KTM history. KTM CEO Stefan Pierer has announced that the company will enter the MotoGP class in 2017.
All the experience gained in the pits of numerous international races is constantly integrated into series production and enables its ever-expanding team to present product innovations every year. Whether on the road or off-road, KTM is already establishing itself as a world-class brand, with a comprehensive product range that extends from 50 cc to 1300 cc in 2015. Models such as the DUKE Naked Bikes 125, 200 and 390 or the popular RC 125, 200 and 390 also inspire young riders. At the same time, top-of-the-range bikes like the 1190 ADVENTURE (2013), equipped with the MSC stability control system developedveloped jointly with BOSCH, or the 1290 SUPER DUKE R (2014) confirm KTM's determination to also be a pioneer in the higher segments. For the 2015 model year, KTM continues to expand its ADVENTURE range; with the 1050 ADVENTURE and the fully equipped 1290 SUPER ADVENTURE, KTM sets a new benchmark in the trail segment. In terms of new technologies, particularly for e-mobility, KTM is at the forefront of new product development and presents two electric off-road motorcycles, the FREERIDE E-XC and the E-SX. This new range is completed in 2015 by the E-SM, KTM's electric solution for the road.
With a continuing strong presence in the off-road segment and a greatly expanded road range, the former motorcycle workshop, now an economically sound, highly committed manufacturer and European market leader, is pursuing a two-brand strategy following the takeover of Husqvarna in 2013. Despite all its successes, KTM is still looking to the future. KTM CEO Stefan Pierer's vision is clear: "KTM intends to become the world's leading supplier of sport bikes."