KTM (motorcycle manufacturer)
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Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen (KTM) is an Austrian motorcycle manufacturer. The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz 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.
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)
The Swedish motorcycle company Husaberg AB and Dutch White Power Suspension are now subsidiaries of the KTM Group.
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 RC8 and Super Duke will share a higher output, second generation version of the LC8 engine, geared for high rpm peak power as required in road racing and superstreet applications.
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 noticibly 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 BMW R 1150 GS Adventure Enduro motorcycles for this adventure. Documentary series Long Way Round follows actors Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on their extraordinary 20.000 mile journey from London to New York.
Off-road motorcycles
50cc Air-cooled Mini and Senior Adventures.50cc Liquid-cooled Pro Senior and Pro Junior.
Motocross SX line includes 65, 85, 105, 125, 200 (discontinued) and 250 two-stroke liquid-cooled models, and 450 and 525 four-stroke models. In 2005 KTM released the new 250SX-F to the general public.
Cross-Country XC line includes 200, 250 and 300cc models in two-stroke varieties, and 450 and 525cc four-stroke models. The XC line updates and replaces their old MXC bikes. They feature a close-ratio gearbox, stiffer suspensions, and the four-strokes have a shorter-stroke design, mimicing their SX line.
Enduro EXC and XC-W lines. XC-W two-strokes are available in 200, 250 and 300cc displacements. EXC four-stokes are offered in 400, 450 and 525cc models. The XC-W replaced their old EXC two-strokes, a move the company made in order to comply with EPA restrictions in the United States. Two-strokes are still designated as EXCs in Europe markets. The EXC line has been a long-time favourite for Enduro market, and outsell other larger-volume brands to Enduro racers. These bikes feature wide-ratio transmissions, slightly softer suspension than the XC line, and long-stroke engines.
Supermoto SMR bikes are offered in 450 and 560cc displacements. There are also three, less racing specific, models based on the older LC4 engine architecture: SMC 625/660 and SM 640. A 50cc Mini Supermoto is available in European markets. KTM was the first manufacturer to offer a competition-ready Supermoto bike to the public, and their sponsored racers currently sit atop the US Supermoto racing circuit. The new LC8 SuperMoto 950 can't be really considered a real supermotard because of its size and weight.
Dual Sport Adventure bikes offered with both the LC4 Engine (Adventure 640, 640R) and the LC8 Engine (Adventure 950), the 640R is the base of the Rally 660 which has won many Dakar Rallys.
On-road motorcycles
KTM's line of on-road motorcycles are based on two engine designs: The LC4 and the LC8.The LC4 is a single-cylinder, 4-valve, liquid cooled engine, that can range in displacement from 625cc to 660cc. Models based on this power plant include the Enduro, Duke, Duke II, Supermoto, 640 Adventure, SXC and special-order 660 Rallye bikes.
The LC8 is an 8-valve, two-cylinder, 75 degree V-twin, liquid cooled engine that is available in two varieties. The first version of the LC8 was the carburated 942cc model, which is available in the 950 Adventure, 950 Supermoto, and 950 Super Enduro R. Later, a 999cc fuel-injected model was developed, and is currently available in the 990 Super Duke, and 990 Adventure motorcycles.
External links
- http://www.ktm.at/ KTM motorcycles
- http://www.ktmusa.com/ KTM North America
- http://www.ktm-bikes.at/ KTM Bicycles
- http://www.ktm-kuehler.at/ KTM Radiators
- http://www.lc8.org/ LC8 International Owners Club
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