This Austrian motorcycle maker has been around since 1953 when it began to make moto cross and enduro bikes with engines supplied by another Autrian firm, Rotax. The company was successful in off road racing for many years but went bankrupt in the 1990s due to losses in other parts of it's operations.

Fortunately a buyer was found and motorcycle production began again shortly afterwards. The new owners clearly had big ideas as since this time KTM has been producing some of the most exciting bikes in the world.

The KTM Duke which was released in 1993, had a 620cc singe cylinder engine and a hybrid design which had the looks of a motocross bike but with hanling for the road. With short gearing and a punchy motor wheelies were easy and the upright riding position gave confidence inspiring control. Many riders abandoned their sportsbikes to own a Duke as the same amount of excitement could be had (more even) without the dangerously high speeds.

KTM have continued to develop the super motard style but have also branched out in road racing. Their entry into Moto GP 125 and 250cc racing was huge success and the RC8 road bike is the result of all this development on track. The distinctive looking RC8 is of course available in the bright orange colour so associated with KTM and looks set the take on the superbikes of the Japanese manufacturers who are so dominant in this market.