Is KTM on the Brink of Withdrawal from MotoGP?
- Thread starter mylexicon
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Joined Mar 2023
1K Posts | 1K+
Australia
Could someone briefly explain how a very talented mx rider that has a devastating crash and injury like Pit Bierer goes on to have what seems to be a controlling interest in a company as big as KTM?
He does? I thought that KTM was an Austro-Indian joint venture, with Pit only being the head of the MotoGP operations.
Hey I don’t really know but his name seems to be on everything I read about KTM these days whether it’s racing or financial. Would like to know out of curiosity his depth of involvement?
Well, Pit is the head of what most likely is the expensive part of the KTM racing department. So that's that part.
I haven't read anything about him being more involved.
What we rarely get a glimpse of, is the Indian part of the operation. And that is a very large chunk of the company.
I haven't read anything about him being more involved.
What we rarely get a glimpse of, is the Indian part of the operation. And that is a very large chunk of the company.
I know that KTM lets CF use it's dealer network in Europe, while the roles are reversed for the Chinese marked.
CF also has a small share in PMG.
CF also has a small share in PMG.
For being full time in MotoGP since 2017 and having 4 bikes on the grid; the results aint too impressive. Maybe they need someone like Pedro. Honda had Vale/Casey/Marc. Yamaha Vale/JL/Fabio and Ducati Casey/JM/Pecco. So lets wait and see until next year if Pedro can do some magic on it.
Joined Nov 2012
997 Posts | 1K+
This is on GPOne.com, and maybe should be taken with a grain of salt. But, it seems that Red Bull may offer some sort of financial help to KTM.
I wonder if eventually Red Bull might take over the KTM team, the way that they run a team in Formula One and other places.
I wonder if eventually Red Bull might take over the KTM team, the way that they run a team in Formula One and other places.
KTM is the pride of Austria.
Can't imagine Austrians not helping their brethren in their time of need.
Can't imagine Austrians not helping their brethren in their time of need.
Joined Nov 2012
997 Posts | 1K+
I can see Red Bull saving the racing team including technical departments. I'm not sure if Red Bull would want to save the whole group. That's a big ask, if they are in as much trouble as the article suggests.
I can see CF Moto taking over KTM.
Would an Indian company want to sell its motorbike company to a Chinese?
Joined Mar 2023
1K Posts | 1K+
Australia
Joined Nov 2012
997 Posts | 1K+
If KTM goes bankrupt, then the administrators would decide that.
If KTM is loss-making, but CFMoto see a better route into becoming a major brand in Europe and the US, I can see CFMoto being able to make an offer that the owners would find attractive.
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
I could see Red Bull Racing stepping in and making a purchase of the whole outfit and running it in tandem with their Formula One project. After all, they are going to be building engines in Formula One for 2026 and onward. They have their Red Bull Powertrains outfit. They could just move all the KTM engine designers to that umbrella and have a dual F1-GP operation for that side of it. I mean who cares if they don't build road bikes, they don't build cars either. They could work off of the shell of KTM till the formula change in 2 years while they build their own RBR V4. Just speculating wildly.
The more I read about the trouble at KTM the more I'm thinking that something has to give unfortunately.
Here in the Toronto area I have noticed the last 3 years how KTM has struggled in our local market, the release of the RC390 a few years back is a classic example. Many were on order, the delivery date was missed by a mile, orders got cancelled, even today there are still new 2022 and 2023 RC390 bikes being advertised for sale cheap at dealers here in Ontario Canada, not too mention lots of 2024 bikes too.
I won't even start on getting parts, the warped head issues on earlier bikes that burned a lot of owners, or getting your bike repaired in general.
When you look at other street/sport bikes in the 400-500 cc category, KTM has lost it's MOJO in my opinion.
Here in the Toronto area I have noticed the last 3 years how KTM has struggled in our local market, the release of the RC390 a few years back is a classic example. Many were on order, the delivery date was missed by a mile, orders got cancelled, even today there are still new 2022 and 2023 RC390 bikes being advertised for sale cheap at dealers here in Ontario Canada, not too mention lots of 2024 bikes too.
I won't even start on getting parts, the warped head issues on earlier bikes that burned a lot of owners, or getting your bike repaired in general.
When you look at other street/sport bikes in the 400-500 cc category, KTM has lost it's MOJO in my opinion.
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Joined Oct 2008
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In Cider
Joined Apr 2015
6K Posts | 5K+
NJ
I remain unconvinced.
Honestly, selling to Red Bull/Red Bull Racing probably makes the most sense at this point.
KTM may not have much of a choice in these matters depending on how badly they want to stay afloat.
Joined Oct 2008
6K Posts | 5K+
In Cider
If they became RBR (running KTM equipment)...I wonder if Marquez would be lured there for 2027.
