2008 KTM Motorcycle Range
KTM Racing | KTM Rider Accessories
 
 
“READY TO RACE IN THE MOTORCYCLE
YEAR 2008”
The KTM Model 2008 is in fact very
auspicious. For the first time in the more
than 50 years of the company’s history,
KTM is presenting a complete pallet of
sports motorcycles – both for offroad and
for harder surfaces.
The latest “Superbike” model family
therefore represents a unique milestone
and a consistent continuation of KTM’s
already established course of success.
With the official introduction of the
1190 RC8 at the international innovations
fair EICMA, the company takes a huge
step forward to finally enter into the
highest level of series motor cycle
manufacture. What has already created
enthusiasm and excitement in the
Superbike world as a concept study, will
be out on the open roads and racing
circuits as the most powerful and fastest
KTM of all times from the spring of
2008.
But although significant efforts have
gone into the realization of the first KTM
Superbike, the product developers in
Mattighofen have still been working hard
on numerous other developments. That is
why three completely new varieties of the
to-date most modern series single cylinder
in the world, the legendary LC-4 concept,
have also come into being. While the
models 690 Duke and 690 SMC hit the
highways with enormous reserves of
power, the 690 Enduro is, to its fans,
a purist yet still ultra modern Enduro.
Meanwhile no expense in time and
resources has also been spared in KTM’s
ascendancy in its traditional and
particularly important area of“competition offroaders”. As well as the
completely new 450 and the 530 EXC-R
models, the entire EXC family also profits
from an innovative new chassis and
numerous improvements that directly
result from the KTM factory team’s
official racing activities and according to
the “Ready to Race” philosophy.
Naturally, the KTM developers are still
not satisfied with these new developments.
Just as it does in motor sports, for KTM
there is one rule that applies to all 31
models – to stop means to take a step
backWards. The Euro III homologation for
all KTM models that are licensed for use
on the road is a very significant
advancement, including the powerful and
still very popular two-stroker.
Regardless of whether it is offroad or on
the asphalt or with what motor concept,
KTM is pulling out the throttle and going
its own way, at top speed, into 2008.
THE KTM BRAND
At the beginning of the company
re-launch in 1992, the vision was to
build the world’s best Enduros.
The new motorcycles were to be“Ready to Race“, a motto that 15 years
later still stands at the centre of all KTM
development strategy.
A decisive factor in the unparalleled
history of success of the KTM Brand has
been embodied by the clear focus on
endowing every product with an
unmistakable design language.
PURITY
It is not only in motor racing that
concentrating on reducing to the
absolute minimum can optimize the
performance of a motorcycle. That is
why KTM bikes are only made from
components fully tested by KTM riders
that are successful in their sport.
PERFORMANCE
From the very first meter, every KTM
delivers the same transparent feel for
riding that brings victory on the race
track. Every one of our bikes supports
the rider with spontaneous feedback and
generous performance. It is thanks to
reoriented and competitive interpretation
of our motorcycles that guarantees that
KTM riders, above all, have a whole lot
of riding pleasure.
ADVENTURE
With a KTM, the motorcyclist enjoys their
very own adventure both offroad and on
the highways. The high quality technology
therefore ensures that it is the rider and
not the motorcycle that decides what is
his personal performance limit.
EXTREME
At KTM further development is always on
the limit of the capability of man and
machine because KTM motorcycles are
built for the most extreme motorcycle
riding situations.
KTM is orange. The most significantly
recognizable characteristic of the KTM
brand is by far and above the unique
orange product colour.
The engagement by KTM in the offroad
sector is and remains at the heart of the
company. In the last several decades
KTM has had a decisive influence on
Enduro, motocross and rally sports and in
the future nothing will change concerning
this commitment.
In 2008, KTM will, with the RC8, raise
the pulses and make the hands of
opponent Superbike competitors sweat.
With the introduction of this product,
KTM moves further in the direction of
being a manufacturer offering a complete
range of products. Naturally, all future
KTM products will still be developed,
built and deployed according to the“Ready to Race” philosophy.
All motorcycle components relevant to
performance, such as engine, framework
and chassis, are individually developed
by KTM and are assembled together with
the best available components by
established specialists like
WP Suspension, Brembo, Excel,
Renthal or Acerbis.
KTM: THE COMPANY
At the beginning of his career, Hans
Trunkenpolz ran a metalworking shop in
Mattighofen. He sold DkW motorcycles
and over the years expanded his shop to
become the biggest in Upper Austria.
1951 saw his first motorcycle to be
built in series: the KTM R 100. The
name Kronreif Trunkenpolz Mattighofen
appeared for the first time. Right from
the start KTM was associated with
racing. In 1960, Erwin Lechner chalked
up one victory after another with the
legendary KTM engine designed by the
engineer Rudolf Apfelbeck. In 1968,
American John Penton won KTM’s first
overseas victory. Highlights of the 70s
are KTM’s 50 cc models and the first
motocross world championship title in
the 250 cc class, won by Russian
Gennadij Moiseev. In the 80s,
Heinz Kinigadner and Trampas Parker
laid the foundation for the KTM legend
with 3 world championship titles.
In 1987, the legendary four-stroke LC4
was born.
After some difficult times, Stefan Pierer
was able to successfully reposition KTM
with the excitingly designed, Hard
Enduro concept. KTM started with
rallies, presented the matchless Duke
and in 1995 purchased Husaberg and
WP Suspension. Its many victories and
Shane King’s motocross world
championship title in the 500 cc class
successfully revived KTM’s sports
heritage. In 1999, KTM moved into the
new plant in Mattighofen.
From 2001, KTM has dominated
the Paris Dakar. With the slogan“Ready to Race”, racing sport became
KTM’s main identifying characteristic.
In 2003, KTM introduced the first
uncompromising 2-cylinder touring
enduro, the 950 Adventure, and, with
Harald Bartol in the saddle, entered the
125 World Championship; the first
victory wasn’t slow in coming.
Shortly after, KTM introduced its
first pure-blooded street motorcycles,
the 990 Super Duke and the
950 Supermoto.
The company, fired by its unbridled
energy for development, and its huge
sporting ambition, is, in 2008,
presenting a complete assortment of
high-quality offroad and street sports
motorcycles. With this, KTM is fully
equipped to continue on the path of
becoming Europe’s leading Power Sports
brand.
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