KTM is a relatively new player in the Malaysian motorcycle market. However, the company itself has been around a long time and has its roots in Mattighofen, Austria. The name KTM is derived from the founders’ surnames and the town where the company was founded - the surnames Kronreif, Trunkenpolz, and the town Mattighofen. Most will know that the official racing colour for KTM is orange. And the KTM Duke 200, the first KTM assembled here, is predominantly that hue.
In the wake of their first completely knocked-down (CKD) model that took Malaysia by storm - the Duke 200, first introduced in 2012 - came numerous other CKD models, the 690, 390 and 250 Dukes, then the 250 and 390, RCs all introduced between 2013 and 2015.
The Adventure 1050 is the largest capacity CKD model.
All are characterised by KTM’s trademark lightweight, high-torque formula. All these models are assembled at KTM Malaysia’s plant in Jitra, Kedah, built in 2012 and officiated in 2013.
We had the pleasure of touring the assembly plant and were impressed by the level of professionalism and quality control in all areas, from the assembly line to the parts department.
It is apparent that KTM Malaysia is committed to serving the Malaysian market. The plant also serves as a service department for the northern region. The main service department in the southern region is the KTM Lifestyle Showroom in Kota Damansara, Selangor.
In addition, there are KTM authorised dealers all over Malaysia.
Besides sales and service, the dealers all stock KTM KTM PowerParts and KTM PowerWear.
All dealers are staffed by professionally-trained technicians and mechanics certified by KTM Austria.
This is good news for owners of earlier KTM models as they will able to get parts and services from the factory and authorised dealers.
KTM Malaysia is in the midst of expanding their dealer networks in Malaysia to enhance their presence in the market.
It also imports various complete built-up models (CBU). They recently launched the SuperDuke GT1290 besides the SuperDuke R-SE and various Adventure and SuperAdventure models already being sold. Visit your nearest dealer for the full range of CBU models. The CBU models were introduced in August last year, with more off-road models being added to the line-up such as the 250, 350 and 450 EXC two-strokes, 250, 350 and 450 EXC-F, 250 and 450 SX-F and Six Days Edition models.
KTM owners are members of their own exclusive club, the KTM Motorcycle Owners Group, or KMOG.
We were also invited to their first get-together this year called the Orange Day Out. Held at the Tengas Adventure and Nature (TAN) Camp in Kulim, Kedah, over a two-day period, KMOG also invited the 2016 Supermoto Champion, Habibullah Saleh, better known as Gabit, and his friend, Achey of the comedy trio Bocey, who is an avid off-road rider. KTM also took the opportunity to bring along the latest 250, 350 and 450 EXC-Fs for all and sundry to try out.
There was plenty to do, with an off-road class by Gabit, riding the track surrounding the camp (with two river crossings!) and with a Sports Day the next day, there were plenty of us who picked Gabit’s brain for pointers on motocross and enduro riding. There was a barbeque and karaoke sessions as well as a movie screening on the TAN Camp field that night. Alas, all the pointers came to naught as the Sports Day saw us pushing, instead of riding, the bikes the next day. Still, it was still great fun and the KMOG put on a great example of club camaraderie.
