2014 KTM XCF-W 350For the fourth-straight year, KTM has reported positive sales. The Austrian-based brand reports that it sold 158,760 motorcycles in 2014 – up 28.2 percent from 2013.KTM had a bit of help from Husqvarna – the brand it bought from BMW Motorrad in 2013 – but the majority of sales arrive from KTM motorcycles.
KTM’s worldwide sales success – even outselling BMW Motorrad in 2014 – can be attributed towards its widening reach into the street genre with bikes like the KTM Adventure, Super Duke R, and RC8, but the majority of its strength resides in the dirt-savvy models such as the XCF and SX-F lineups.Other help also arrives from Bajaj – a stakeholder out of India that produces KTM’s smaller motorcycles such as the Duke and RC models.KTM says due to its success, it is “the fastest growing motorcycle brand in the world for years.” Along with increased sales arrives increased revenue, which grew 20.7 percent over 2013 to 864.6 million EURO.In 2014, KTM also invested around 85 million EURO in its Mattighofen and Munderfing facilities in Austrian, an increase of 46.6 percent in expansion costs over 2013. Also, 2,143 people were employed at KTM worldwide – a record employment.KTM also provided a lookout for 2015, and expects further “increases in revenue and sales.”As KTM enjoys its sales success, it’s equally having success in racing. One of its largest accomplishments recently arrived when Marc Coma awarded KTM its 14th-straight title in the Dakar Rally, rightly coined as the world’s toughest race.Photo by Don Williams
Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark + Chip Doherty with Neale Bayly
byMotos and Friends by Ultimate Motorcycle
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This week, in the first segment Senior Editor Nic de Sena talks to us about the new Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark. This somewhat entry-level machine still comes with all the great Ducati hallmarks of excellent low down torque and impeccable handling. If you like to hear about fun motorcycles, then you’ll enjoy this one.
In the second segment, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly brings us another of his interviews, this time it’s with Chip Doherty.
Chip’s amazing resume includes motorcycle racer, restorer and collector. Back in the early 2000s he used his engineering background to start motorcycle clothing manufacturer Motophoria.
After selling that company in 2007, Chip’s resume gained him entry to NASA where for 7 years he was responsible for launching the space shuttle! Since moving on from NASA, Chip expanded his collection of classic British bikes. Eventually Neale persuaded him to ride to Peru and help Neale’s Wellspring Foundation raise money for the orphanage there.
So, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!
Neale Bayly’s Wellspring Foundation always appreciates donations. Just $5 will help feed an orphan.