Thread: New KTM LC8 950cc

Mattighofen is a picturesque little Austrian town just a few kilo metres from the famous Mozart city of Salzburg. To the south one see the steeply rising Alps and the town surrounded by glittering lakes and rolling hills with meadows and fields. Bright geranium flowers grow from the boxes of the colourful painted houses. !ten one can see tractors bumping over cobblestone roads and older folks chat fIIay in front of St Mary Church and in the wnsquare.

Mattighofen, with its population of just 1000, is just another of the many little pretty rowns of the region, if the 'M' of its name did t represent the 'M' in KTM. Yes, KTM, urape's second largest and probably fastest yawing motorcycle manufacturer, has its Jeadquarters in this little town due to which famous far beyond the borders of Austria, angthe motorcycling community.

The KTM history starts more than 70 ears ago, in to be precise, when metal arker Hans Trunkenpolz (whose last name akes up for the 'T' in KTM) opened a small shop in Mattighofen. A few years later, started motorcycle repair and the KTM legend began to take shape. At the end of WWII, Hans Trunkenpolz boldly decided to manufacture his own bikes. The first KTM prototype featured a 98cc motor from Rotax, another traditional Austrian company that to this day develops and builds engines for companies like BMW, Aprilia etc. In 1953, the first serial bikes were manufactured and KTM became a fullfledged motorcycle manufacturer. In 1955, Ernst Kronreif joined the company as partner to complete the KTM name: Kronreif & Trunkenpolz, Mattighofen.

KTM realised the marketing potential of motorsport since success motocross and enduro races earned the brand respect. Active in street racing, it was in off-road racing that KTM made a name for itself. KTM won its first world championship in 1974 and has claimed 145 more world championships since. The company employed 500 workers to build 46 different models and their engines in the mid-70s. Overseas demand grew steadily and in 1978 KTM North America Inc, the first affiliated company was set up in America. America remains the strongest single market for KTM motorcycles.

Despite tremendous success, dark clouds were looming over the horizon at the dawn of the 80s. Too many businesses, too many models and rising costs drove KTM deep into the red at the end of the 80s and eventually into bankruptcy. Besides motorcycles, KTM was manufacturing a large variety of scooters. In 1991, KTM filed for insolvency. Like proverbial phoenix, KTM rose from the ashes of insolvency thanks to some former importers from Germany, Italy and the Netherlands who bought the company and under Stefan Pierer's leadership, a new chapter began. With streamlined structure and clear orientation, positive results followed swiftly and KTM was soon in the black.

To distinguish itself from the competition, KTM concentrated on ready-to-race off-road sports motorcycles that could be raced with out any customising or tuning. The new type of motorcycle called Hardenduro proved a roaring success. Mean while designer Gerald Kiska created a new corporate identity for KTM. A vibrant orange hue and sharp sporty lines characterised KTM bikes as part of the new image.



With the financial bounce-back and motorsport success, by 2000 KTM was ruling the off-road arena, winning six of eight world championship titles. It also entered the Paris Dakar Rally and claimed first victory in200l. Since then allDakarwinning bikes have come from Mattighofen. KTM put new and proven technolo¬gies into serial production. The R&D department is part of the motorsport division of the company.

The off-road roost, KTM brought the ready-to-race approach to the street. In 2003, KTM entered the l2Scc and 2S0cc MotoGP classes and launched the first LC8 9S0cc two-cylinder engine, which is at the heart of KTM's new generation on¬road bikes. The KTM bikes proved a hit with even the sceptics and KTM was firmly planted on-road as it was off-road. The KTM headquarters is steeped in history what with 146 world championship titles in off and on-road bike racing over 34 years with the title winning bikes on resplendent display.

KTM motorcycles are sold in 70 countries worldwide and it has 25 affiliated companies arou the globe distributing the bikes an accessories. KTM entered the An market in and in manu factured its first car, the X- Bow. T demand for this extreme sports c. has already surpassed manufaetur ing capacity. Recently, KTM also launehe the 1190 RC8 Superbike. It has al recently consolidated alliance wi premier Indian bike maker Bajaj make 12Scc entry level bikes featul ing technology, design and conce from Austria. A PR offi cial said that "all mode manufactured in Aust' will also be manufactur Important parts, fro the frame to the exhau and the engines ar directly produced in Mattighofen nearby.

Even the spokes are han. made. The attention to detail a nonpareil craftsmanship is sure par ing off. With over 90.000 bikes so in the last year, KTM is a big na bike maker. No surprise, KTM aft cionados aka the 'Orange Bleede pay exorbitant prices for the oran bikes. The secret of KTM's has all to do with the fun quotie that its bikes provide. With global oil reserves runn' out and skyrocketing fuel prieB. KTM is looking to the future an is already working on a zero emi sion bike. Given KTM's track reeor its bikes will be ready to race ev without a combustion engine, on can tell.