KTM Bikes

Latest Updates On KTM

• KTM has showcased the upcoming 2024 KTM 390 Adventure at EICMA 2024, the bike comes with a lot of changes to its design

• The brand has also unveiled the dual-sport 390 Enduro and the 390 SMC which is a supermoto

• The brand had recently updated the KTM 200 Duke and the KTM 250 Duke with TFT consoles from the 3rd gen 390 Duke

• KTM launched the new generations of the 390 Duke and 250 Duke in September 2023. They came with heavily revised styling, new engines and reworked chassis.

• The all-new KTM RC 390, which has been spotted testing overseas with entirely new bodywork, is likely to come to India in 2025. It will get the new-generation liquid-cooled 398.63cc engine from the KTM Duke 390.

What is the Full Form of KTM?

Hailing from Austria, KTM originally began its operations under the ownership of an engineer named Johann Hans Trunkenpolz in the Austrian town of Mattighofen. Initially, the company started operating as a car repair shop called "Kraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz Mattighofen".

After World War II, Trunkenpolz decided to manufacture motorcycles independently, with in-house components and Rotax engines sourced from Fichtel & Sachs. In 1953, another Austrian businessman named Ernst Kronreif became a major stakeholder in the company, which was then named and registered as “Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen,” which continues to be the official full form of KTM today.

Who Owns KTM?

In 1991, Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen (KTM) Group split into four companies. Among the four, the KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH became the primary company that produced motorcycles. In fact, the KTM Duke ended up saving the motorcycles division.

The Indian connection with KTM was established in 2007 when Bajaj Auto became a 14.5 percent stakeholder in KTM Power Sports AG, which increased to 47.97 percent by 2013.

As a part of a restructuring process, KTM Group had three companies by 2012 – KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH, KTM Werkzeugbau GmbH and KTM Kühler GmbH (today WP Radiators), which eventually came under a single parent company named Pierer Mobility AG.

In 2021, Bajaj gave up its 46.5 percent stake in KTM AG to Pierer mobility in exchange for 49.9 percent stake of Pierer mobility. As a result, Pierer Mobility’s stake in KTM AG went from 51.7 percent to 98.2 percent.

Where are KTM Bikes Made in India?

In India, KTM bikes are made at a production facility owned by Bajaj Auto in Chakan (near Pune, Maharashtra). This facility manufactures several sub-500cc KTM bikes with 125cc, 200cc, 250cc, and 373/398cc engines. In addition to KTM bikes, this plant also manufactures Bajaj and some Husqvarna bikes.

Which KTM Bikes are Available in India?

Currently, KTM has an expansive range of motorcycles in the sub-500cc performance categories, all of which are as follows:

KTM 125 Duke: This is the cheapest KTM bike in India. Despite being an entry-level bike, it is loaded with premium bits like a liquid-cooled engine, inverted fork, trellis frame among others.

KTM RC 125: This fully-faired supersport motorcycle is based on the Duke 125 and is powered by the same liquid-cooled 125cc engine. It gets a relatively more aggressive riding posture.

KTM 200 Duke: The KTM Duke 200 was the first KTM bike to be launched in India. It is currently in its second-generation version and is powered by a liquid-cooled, 200cc engine.

KTM RC 200: Like the RC 125, the KTM RC 200 is a fully-faired super sport motorcycle based on a naked roadster (Duke 200). It shares its engine and chassis but has a different design and sportier riding posture.

KTM 250 Duke: Positioned between 200 Duke and 390 Duke, the KTM Duke 250 is a quarter-litre streetfighter that offers a good balance of performance and everyday usability.

KTM 250 Adventure: The cheapest KTM adventure bike in India, the 250 Adventure shares its engine with the 250 Duke but gets longer travel suspension, different bodywork and touring-friendly riding posture.

KTM 390 Duke: The flagship naked roadster from KTM in India, the 390 Duke entered its third generation in 2023 with an all-new bodywork and a new-generation 398.63cc engine.

KTM RC 390: KTM's flagship supersport motorcycle in India, the RC 390, shares its bodywork with the RC 200 but has more features, more premium underpinnings, and an engine from the second-generation 390 Duke.

KTM 390 Adventure: The most powerful KTM adventure bike in India, the KTM 390 Adventure shares its bodywork and mechanicals with the 250 Adventure but has a second-gen 390 Duke engine.

Which KTM Bike is Best?

KTM has a well-diversified range of motorcycles with naked roadsters, fully-faired supersport bikes and adventure tourers across various engine categories. It depends on the rider which of the three body styles suits their riding preferences. While the Duke range (125 Duke, 200 Duke, 250 Duke and 390 Duke) are suitable for daily city rides and occasional highway runs, the RC range (RC 125, RC 200 and RC 390) are more track-friendly bikes with aggressive riding postures. The KTM Adventure range (250 Adventure and 390 Adventure) is more suitable for mild off-roading and long-distance touring.