Three decades ago, KTM was spurred into action by one of its iconic athletes to offer customers the ultimate ‘taster’ of what it means to ride in orange. To this day ‘RIDE KTM’ is an enduring and popular scheme to provide unforgettable motorcycle experiences. How did it come to be?
Heinz Kinigadner is passionate about motorsport. A two-time Motocross World Champion, the former Austrian racer has played a pivotal role in the development of KTM’s highly successful rally project, which has enjoyed 18 consecutive wins at one of the most notoriously difficult races on the planet – the Dakar Rally. ‘Kini’ is well-known for his involvement with KTM Motorsports, as well as important charitable initiatives such as ‘Wings for Life’. Kini also enjoys passing on the possibilities for riding and exploring incredible places onto KTM’s customers with the OASIS Rally, which has been running since the 1990s.
Meet sixteen-year-old Rene Hofer: a burgeoning talent in the motorcycle racing world and a special rider who could reach a very special milestone …
Those who want to travel far and fast don’t need a lot, but they do need the best. KTM builds ADVENTURE series bikes for touring enthusiasts, and has been doing so for precisely 20 years now. At KTM, ADVENTURE means much more than a big tank or a chrome-plated exhaust, and bikes adorned with stickers reminiscent of Rally successes – ADVENTURE has been KTM’s philosophy since 1997, back when the 640 LC4 ADVENTURE made its debut.
Not a single gram of fat; just muscle. With the KTM 690 DUKE R, KTM created the most revolutionary single-cylinder street bike on the face of the planet. “Only the essentials – but only the finest essentials”: this was the philosophy behind the ultra-modern LC4 ‘single’, which was unveiled thirty years ago in 1987.
Living within an hour’s drive of KTM’s headquarters, Red Bull KTM Rally Factory Racing Team’s Matthias Walkner is Austria’s next big thing in international rally competition. A member of the KTM family for more than a decade, the 30-year-old rider from Salzburg enters his third Dakar Rally knowing he has what it takes to battle for the top.
There are few more emphatic success stories in the wide breadth of motorcycle racing than Pit Beirer’s stewardship of KTM Racing. We asked the insanely busy but chatty German for his time to explain how some of that achievement was possible, what he had to go through and learned and a few teasers on racing matters for the future …
In 1996, almost ten years after the launch of the LC4 engine, KTM presented an electric-start version of the water-cooled unit. However, the new engine was in no way intended to signal a renunciation of the hard enduro philosophy; instead the aim was to attract new consumer groups.
In 1985 Heinz Kinigadner started the 250cc MX season as the reigning world champion with the #1 on what was still a green start number plate and defended his title a second year in succession.
The KTM Team unwillingly experienced the closeness of good fortune and tragedy during the 27th edition of the Dakar Rally. Two-time Dakar winner Fabrizio Meoni lost his life the next day in a serious accident on Stage 11. Then on 16 January 2005, Cyril Despres arrived at Lac Rose in Dakar ahead of Spanish rider Marc Coma and the South African Alfie Cox, thereby securing KTM’s fifth Dakar victory in succession.
