The company was founded in 1934 by engineer Hans Trunkenpolz [1] 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. KTM Sportmotorcycles has a deeply rooted motorsport tradition, building race-ready motorcycles for competitive and recreational riding. More than 130 world championship titles, victories at Dakar and countless national championships are proof of the company’s great technical expertise. Recently, the company has entered into the streetbike category with a variety of sporting and adventure-touring road-going machines.

The 2008 SX line includes 65, 85, 105, 125, 144 and 250cc two-stroke models, and 250, 450 and 505 four-stroke models. In 2005 KTM released the new 250SX-F to the general public. For the 2007 model-year, all of KTM’s four-stroke SX motors were re-designed similarly to the 250 SX-F, in a dual-overhead cam 4-valve line dubbed the “RC4″. The SX-F’s are KTM’s new racing motocross range introduced in 2007.
KTM now produce a 150SX (144cc), which was developed to take advantage of AMA (American Motorcyclist Association)rule changes in the ameteur classes. KTM and TM are the only manufacturers to develope a 144cc motorcycle.