Friday 5: KTM

Ferg

• September 07 2007
• 114 views
• 6 comments

QUAD: For the ATV riders out there, who may not know much about KTM, tell us a bit about the company?

KTM: KTM is a European based company out of Mattighofen, Austria. Since its first production of on-road motorcycles in 1953, KTM’s singular passion has been the development of “Ready to Race motorcycles. With 120 World Championships and counting, the technology, design and performance of KTM motorcycles has raced past the competition time and again and the company is now ready to branch out to other segments of the Powersports industry.

QUAD: What made KTM join the ATV industry now?

KTM: KTM has been focused predominantly on off-road motorcycles through its entirety, and has therefore, been able to produce a powerful, durable and well-respected race engine. With the confidence in that engine and the knowledge KTM has gained about the chassis of the ATV we felt 2008 was the right time to launch the new KTM Sport ATV. KTM realizes that the Sport ATV market is large and continuously growing. This is a market we at KTM have enjoyed researching and we look forward to increasing our market share in the Sport ATV segment.

QUAD: Why come out with a 450cc and a 525cc? Why not go with a larger displacement then 525cc?

KTM: One of the main factors in deciding the engine displacement for the KTM Sport ATV’s was KTM’s confidence in the XC engine used in both models. Both engines have been proven over the past years to provide optimal performance and reliability. KTM feels these engines will meet the needs of the Sport ATV riders. For those wanting more power out of the machine (which we highly recommend riding before forming a decision) KTM does have 540cc and 576cc kits available to purchase through authorized KTM Dealers detailed more in the KTM Hard Equipment Catalog.

QUAD: Tell us a bit behind the “ready to race philosophy?

KTM:: All KTM machines come “Ready to Race. KTM takes pride in promoting that any KTM Sportmotorcycle or ATV can be taken straight from the show room floor to the track with the assurance that it is “Ready to Race. All KTM products come fitted with the aftermarket accessories (handlebars, chains, sprockets, air filters, etc.) and components (suspension, race capacity fuel tanks, brakes, etc.) that customers would have to purchase in addition to their bike if buying from another manufacturer. With KTM everything you need is already included. The company and the brand KTM stands for high quality “Ready to Race Sportmotorcycles and ATV’s, which, because of their origins are uncompromisingly aimed at professional racing or at least very sports-orientated use.

QUAD: We are sure this is only the beginning, but what’s next for KTM in the ATV industry?

KTM: KTM is proud to be the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the off-road motorcycle market and would like to follow in those footsteps to become the number one manufacturer of Sport ATV’s.

In addition to the off-road ATV market KTM will also be building a Motocross aimed ATV to arrive in 2009.