Some years ago, when KTM was mentioned to anyone outside of Europe, motorbikes were not the first thing that came to people's minds. The company took its time to become the motorcycle brand known all around the world that it is now.
Key points
- KTM was born in 1934 in Mattighofen, Austria, as a repair shop and dealer for motorcycles and cars.
- First prototype in 1951, first sport motorcycle in 1957; after a bankruptcy in the 1990s, KTM AG exports its bikes all around the world.
- In racing, KTM stands out in SuperEnduro, Supercross and the Dakar Rally.
- In Costa Rica, Ticos quickly adopted the “bichilla”, at ease on every kind of road and low on fuel consumption.
- At Pura Vida Motorbike, the KTM in our rental fleet today is the 390 Adventure.
Surprisingly, some years ago, when KTM was mentioned to anyone outside of Europe, motorbikes were not the first thing that came to people's minds. Despite being on the European market since 1950, the company took its time to become the motorcycle brand known all around the world that it is now.
The background of KTM motorcycles
The first years
This dream started back in Austria in 1934, when Hans Trunkenpolz, an Austrian engineer, founded Kraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz Mattighofen in Mattighofen. Back then, it was a repair shop and dealer for motorcycles and cars. During the Second World War, the repair shop survived thanks to engine repairs. It was just after the war ended that Hans had the idea of producing his own bikes. In 1951, the first prototype was built, and in 1953, with 20 employees, the company was producing 3 bikes per day.
The first KTM “motorcycles”, or scooters, did not use an in-house engine yet, and they were only for daily use in the city. It took until 1957 to see the first KTM sport motorcycle, thanks to the investment of a new entrepreneur, Ernst Kronreif, who renamed the company “Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen”.
Back then, the company was building not only motorcycles but also bicycles and scooters. In the following years, the company went through a series of good and bad moments. It had to give up scooter and bicycle production, and it even went bankrupt in the 1990s.
Since 1990
The company was split into four divisions, one of which was doing very well. This division bought the motorcycle division, and good sales allowed the company, now KTM AG, to export off-road and racing motorbikes all around the world, with highly competitive prices and an efficient spare parts distribution system.
This success also shows in racing, where KTM stands out in many competitions, such as the SuperEnduro and Supercross world championships and the Dakar Rally.
KTM Costa Rica
KTM was only introduced some years ago and quickly became one of the locals' favorites. These motorcycles adapted very well to the country's combination of highways, city roads, and rural roads. Their low fuel consumption is also a good selling point for many Costa Ricans. The “bichilla”, as Ticos affectionately call their KTM motorcycles, has become part of the country's daily landscape.
KTM Pura Vida Motorbike
Customers, guides, and lessees all agree that KTM did the job of taming Costa Rica's roads, and did it well. More mileage per liter of fuel, nice on highways and off-road, very comfortable on long trips, and you can easily attach your luggage.
KTM was made for Central America. It was a long road to get here, but we are sure these bikes are not going anywhere else: they came to stay and to help you travel through these wild lands.
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Or rent your KTM motorbike. Costa Rica awaits you! Motorcycle rental
The KTM in our fleet today
When this article was first published, in 2023, we rented out five KTM models: the 790 Adventure, the 790 Enduro, the 390 Adventure, the 1090 Adventure and the 1190 Adventure R. Today, the KTM 390 Adventure is the only one still in our rental fleet.
Everything about the KTM 390 Adventure, available for rent: KTM 390 Adventure
