KTM Classic Motorcycles

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.

Throughout KTM's history, they have been on the leading edge of motorcycle technology. They were the first manufacturer to produce an air-cooled four-stroke motorcycle engine for an off road motorcycle, a design which has since been replicated by all other manufacturers (KTM even supplied radiators to Suzuki in their early water-cooling days). In 1986 KTM became the first motorcycle manufacturer to include both front and rear disc brakes on an off road motorcycle. In 1998, they offered a linkless rear suspension, dramatically reducing the un-sprung weight of the bike (KTM was the first major manufacturer to do so, although ATK, a small market, niche brand did so as early as 1987). They were also the first to offer hydraulic clutch mechanisms on all models of motorcycles, and were the first to offer a competition-ready supermoto bike.

Bike Image Description 1969 KTM Comet Mustang 49cc. 1970 KTM 50cc Comet Super 4 1971 KTM MC 125 1971 KTM Comet 500 1973 KTM GS 1974 KTM MC400   1974 KTM GT50   KTM GT50 Road Test 1975 KTM Comet Grand Prix 47cc 1976 KTM 400 MC5   1976 KTM Foxi 49cc, pedal moped. Originally from Oklahoma but came from us air force base. 1977 KTM RSL 50 1977 KTM 250 MC 5 250cc 1978 KTM 250 MC5   1979 KTM Hercules (Ponny) This is a 1977 KTM Hercules scooter, also sold as the KTM Super Ponny II. Although very rare in the UK, these scooters have a cult following on mainland Europe. Built in Austria it is virtually identical to the original model brought out in 1963; this styling is typical of German scooters from the late 50's and early 60's. The engineering is very Germanic too - this is a very weighty and solid machine. The engine is a 49cc Sachs (2 stroke). 1979 KTM Comet 50 Please e-mail the webmaster if you have a picture worth adding to our database, e-mail: webmaster@motorbike-search-engine.co.uk