Austrian motorcycle manufacturers Kron-rief Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, known the world over as ‘KTM’, have established themselves as one of the largest motorcycle manufactures in Europe, forging an incredibly dominant and decorated name in motorsports today.
[attach id=712147 size="medium" align="right"]KTM 1290 Super Adventure R[/attach]
KTM, initially set up by Austrian engineer Johan Hans Trunkenpolz, traces its origins all the way back to 1934 as a car repairs workshop. The company, now synonymous with motorbike excellence, only transitioned into motorcycles once it attracted the attention of Ernst Kronreif.
At the time, Ernst Kronreif, a highly successful businessman and a notorious motorcycle enthusiast, had the vision and knowledge to take KTM to its next step. Harbouring an inkling to the future potential of the company, Kronreif promptly invested in KTM and became a sizeable shareholder, renaming the company to ‘Kronrief Trunkenpolz Mattighofen’, thus KTM, gearing it up for success.
In 1951 the first major development into motorcycling production by the company began, in the form of a lightweight 98cc motorcycle known as the R100. Only three years later, as the company delivered its 100th motorcycle, KTM competed in the Austrian 125 category national championships for the first time, naturally taking first place and on setting their obsession with racing and achieving victories.
The company’s constant growth achieved through expansion and innovation saw KTM position itself among the top players in motorsports.
The Austrian company has claimed over 96 MXGP, MX1 and MX2 world titles since 1974, and over 114 E1, E2, E3 and Super Enduro world titles since 1990.
KTM’s domination also stretches to the Dakar Rally, an incredibly popular annual off road endurance event, consecutively retaining the title for an outstanding 18 years.
The dynastic philosophy is to be the best. In fact, the Austrian motorcycle manufacturers boast an impressive selection of some of the best offroad bikes and street bikes all over the world, including the beastly KTM 790 DUKE, the supersport KTM RC390 and the ultimate offroad travel Enduro, the KTM 1290 Super Adventure R, with all their designs incorporating the best and most innovative technology available, as well as being splashed over by the unmistakable orange, black and silver paintjob famous on KTM bikes.
KTM motorbikes are available in Malta. Those wishing to take a closer look can visit the Fapi Motors Ltd showroom in Attard or call 2339 2328/9 for more information. One can also e-mail info@fapimotors.com.
Fapi Motors is a mobility business unit within Famalco/Building Businesses.