It doesn't look good for KTM having over produced bikes and not nipping the camshaft issue that was apparent on the 790/890 bikes.
as already said on several platforms, there is some real obstinacy at the top, they've been thrown a lifeline, and it looks as though they're chosen to ignore it and carry on as they were, "because they know best". If they had made it priority to shift their existing stock by slight reduction/ by some means, whatever, then it's already been shown on paper that they could've made the first payment.
I imagine there are a few investors and interested parties who are looking at KTM's predicament from the point of view of "what can I gain" from this financial predicament. Meanwhile, its very likely that others are trying to sell the "better together" approach which in turn benefits them directly. It appears that CF Moto are already out the door. Perhaps Bajaj Auto (reportedly holders of a 47.97% interest in the company) are going to follow suit?
Looks like Bajaj are coming up with the cash, with a deal to convert the loan into majority ownership. The co-owner of the KTM AG motorcycle maker has secured a 566mil or about US$632mil one-year loan within days of a deadline to fund an insolvency plan at the troubled Austrian company. The European unit of Bajaj Auto Ltd agreed to the unsecured loan with JP Morgan Chase & Co, DBS Bank Ltd and Citigroup Inc, according to a regulatory filing to the BSE in Mumbai. The funds will be used for Bajaj Auto’s investments, according to the filing which does not name KTM. KTM’s creditors agreed in February to a 70% haircut as part of a restructuring deal. The company has until May 23 to deposit 544mil with its insolvency administrator and pay out a 30% quota to creditors. Bajaj and Austrian entrepreneur Stefan Pierer co-own Swiss-listed Pierer Mobility, which is the parent of KTM. Citi has been advising the company on securing fresh funds, including additional cash required to resume manufacturing. KTM filed for insolvency last year after struggling to navigate the volatile demand for its motorbikes during the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to excessive inventories. Bajaj Auto International Holdings BV, the Netherlands-based subsidiary of the automaker, has subscribed to convertible bonds of 50mil issued by Pierer Bajaj AG last Thursday, according to an exchange filing. The investment consists of 500 bonds worth 100,000 each. They can be converted into shares of Pierer Bajaj AG between June 2025 and February 2028. The fund infusion is a related-party transaction and carried out on an arm’s length basis, Indian news site NDTV reported last week. The money “will facilitate the funding needs of Pierer Mobility AG’s subsidiary KTM AG, as required for its restructuring process”.
Does anyone actually see this being resolved long term? Call me a cynic but that sounds and reads a complete fucking mess and we all know by now the only one who ever benefits from that is very rich men, while the normal man/consumer inevitably gets bummed.
One of the issues im see is the feeling of the buying public, as in MX community. Gear 4 and Redline are two long serving and established dealers that have both closed their doors but that aside people are just not so KTM blind that they used to be . So so many of them, us included, are saying we are sick to the discounting that KTM do every year that we are buying different. We are going Triumph TF250 next. Basically all this is having a huge impact on the buying public that they will have to work very hard to get back. If they can.
The Bajaj takeover, which this virtually is, will secure KTM for the future. For their part Bajaj get a premium Western retail brand, with a distribution network, brand cache, albeit wounded, which they rebuild over the next few years. KTM will be able to access low cost components in India and rebuild their profit margins. And, Indian companies do know a thing or two about taking dilapidated motorcycle brands and turning them around. Someone knew what was going on Long way to get back to 2022 and its 94 stock price though.
In the other short term issue. KTM now have to recall 20k enduro bikes to fix cracking front brake calipers.. not ideal given the dealers are likely to be very nervous that they won’t get paid for all this warranty work, let alone parts supply
Emailed to me today . . . . . KTM IS BACK Can't see the content right? View this email in a browser THANK YOU! WE HIT A BUMP. YOU HAD OUR BACK. TOGETHER WE CONTINUE FULL THROTTLE. KTM IS BACK - Fueled by the unwavering support of our orange-blooded community, loyal fans, and dedicated partners, we’re entering a bold new chapter built on resilience, innovation, and unstoppable momentum. This comeback belongs to every rider, every dealer, and every believer who stood by us. The road ahead is bright - with new bikes, new stories, and a future shaped by all of you. Let’s ride forward, together. Click the button below to get a sneak peek of what’s next. FIND OUT MORE SETTING SIGHTS ON SILVERSTONE READY TO RACE AT THE BRITISH MOTOGP We’re READY TO RACE at the British round of MotoGP this weekend, are you? We’ll be on site from Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th at the prestigious Silverstone Circuit, displaying our line-up of adrenaline-inducing street machinery and hosting KTM Factory Racing rider autograph sessions. Yep, you heard us! Get your KTM clobber signed by Brad and Pedro on Saturday afternoon, throw your leg over something Orange and speak to the UK team! Visit us in the manufacturer area to find out more. GET READY TO RACE 2025 RED BULL ERZBERRODEO JOHNNY AUBERT TO TACKLE ERZBERG PROLOGUE ON KTM 890 ADVENTURE R This Thursday, May 29, two-time Enduro World Champion Johnny Aubert will take on the legendary Erzbergrodeo Prologue - riding a KTM 890 ADVENTURE R. Equipped with selected KTM PowerParts, the nearly standard Adventure bike will show what it's truly capable of: conquering one of the world’s toughest tracks. Proof that extreme action isn’t just for full-factory machines. CHECK OUT THE BIKE KTM POWERPARTS GEAR UP LIKE A PRO FOR THE IRON GIANT Since the Erzbergrodeo is just around the corner, make sure your bike is ready to take on the world’s toughest Hard Enduro race with KTM PowerParts. From skid plates tough enough to handle the roughest rock gardens, to Factory Racing footpegs designed for maximum grip and control, and radiator protection that keeps your engine cool under pressure - we’ve got everything you need to face the Iron Giant head-on. EXPLORE THE FULL RANGE KTM BLOG FROM ERZBERG’S ROUGH TERRAIN TO SUPERCROSS PRECISION While Johnny Aubert and KTM PowerParts prepare your bike to conquer the Iron Giant, why not sharpen your riding skills off-road as well? Check out our latest blog featuring double 250 SX Champion Tom Vialle as he breaks down how to master Supercross whoops — those tricky, rhythm-based bumps that demand perfect timing and control. Whether you’re tackling the Erzbergrodeo or hitting local tracks, Tom’s expert tips will help you ride smoother and faster. READ MORE Connect with us and use #WERIDEORANGE so we can see you! VIEW IN BROWSER | IMPRINT | UNSUBSCRIBE KTM Copyright© 2025, All rights reserved.
Bajaj makes more bikes and scooters than any other company in the world. I can see KTM going back to just making off road bikes and smaller road bikes.
I don't think they do? Everything I've read puts Bajaj -at best- in 4th if you discount the electric only Yadea 1. Honda 19.1m, 2. Hero 5.9m, 3. Yamaha 4.6m 4.Yadea 4.3m 5. Bajaj 3.1m Honda crush all comers selling 19.1 million last year and now have sold over 500 million bikes since they began.
All this negativity surrounding KTM didn’t put me off recently buying one. In Annecy now en route to the Algarve. KTM’s in the van… I have many faults but being wrong isn’t one of them…
Typo in the headline. ‘Savour’. Sylvain and Suzie just remarked that KTM are the first Indian manufacturer on the grid.
