KTM has been on the headlines of countless automotive and motorcycle publications recently, and it hasn’t exactly been all good. But it hasn’t been all bad, either, with Team Orange taking the win at the 2025 Dakar Rally, but nevertheless, one word has been associated with KTM the most recently, and that word is none other than “insolvency.”
Indeed, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, not just for KTM themselves, but for its die-hard fans—especially after a period of rapid growth. Some may have even thought that KTM would become untouchable in the global motorcycle industry.
But alas, here we are, and things aren’t exactly looking great for the Austrian manufacturer. Nevertheless, KTM is adamant on pushing forward. In fact, it’s acting as if nothing’s even wrong to begin with. Not too long ago, we talked about the “new” 790 Duke. This time around, KTM has pulled the covers off a truly new bike—one I’ve been fantasizing about for years: the 390 SMC-R.
