What happens if KTM goes bust?

Trackday

Well-known member
If KTM were to go bankrupt, should I sell my bike quickly and switch to a brand like Yamaha or Honda? At the end of the day, it’s all about parts availability, and I’m not just talking about aftermarket options but OEM parts that only the manufacturer can provide. Some suppliers, including those that make swingarms and other castings for KTM, have already declared insolvency. If someone buys KTM’s assets, how long would it take for parts to start flowing again, and how would local distribution be affected? If the parent company goes under, does that mean KTM Canada would close as well? What are your thoughts on the situation?
 
HD would be wise to pick them up.

Ducati was always on the verge until the investment group bought and then resold it to Audi / VW Group.
HD home depot as the HD Harley I think knows enough not to buy anything else to destroy

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
 
If KTM were to go bankrupt, should I sell my bike quickly

IMHO, there's no better time than now. I don't think their current issues are on the radar of a lot of people, but once they fold it's going to be bigger news.

Look at Fisker - people were sorta still buying them and paying big $ months before they went bankrupt, but after that happened nobody wanted them anymore except at fire sale prices.
 
I think it is fairly likely that Bajaj or CFMoto (or both) will pick up some of the pieces for pennies on the dollar, and carry on building the portions of KTM that they are already involved with. What that does for parts availability, particularly for historical models that are no longer in mass production, is anybody's guess, but my guess would be not good.

Routine maintenance parts like brake pads and oil filters should not be a problem. Aftermarket parts won't be an issue. Used parts from specific models will be available from dismantlers and ebay etc for a long time. If your 790 eats its camshaft and rocker arms, you're probably out of luck.

IMO either sell before this mess proceeds to liquidation if you're not comfortable with this possibility, or be prepared to hang onto the bike for a long time. After the liquidation will be too late to sell if you want to get some money out of the transaction.
 
I think it is fairly likely that Bajaj or CFMoto (or both) will pick up some of the pieces for pennies on the dollar, and carry on building the portions of KTM that they are already involved with. What that does for parts availability, particularly for historical models that are no longer in mass production, is anybody's guess, but my guess would be not good.

Routine maintenance parts like brake pads and oil filters should not be a problem. Aftermarket parts won't be an issue. Used parts from specific models will be available from dismantlers and ebay etc for a long time. If your 790 eats its camshaft and rocker arms, you're probably out of luck.

IMO either sell before this mess proceeds to liquidation if you're not comfortable with this possibility, or be prepared to hang onto the bike for a long time. After the liquidation will be too late to sell if you want to get some money out of the transaction.
If I had a street bike other than a 390, I’d probably bail now.

Dirt bikes are less complicated so aftermarket suppliers are more likely to fill voids.
 
If KTM were to go bankrupt, should I sell my bike quickly and switch to a brand like Yamaha or Honda? At the end of the day, it’s all about parts availability, and I’m not just talking about aftermarket options but OEM parts that only the manufacturer can provide. Some suppliers, including those that make swingarms and other castings for KTM, have already declared insolvency. If someone buys KTM’s assets, how long would it take for parts to start flowing again, and how would local distribution be affected? If the parent company goes under, does that mean KTM Canada would close as well? What are your thoughts on the situation?

Why? Which model do you have and how many swingarms are you going through where that's an issue?
 
All of the KTM parts I bought I could have gotten third party but chose to get from KTM for the convenience and to keep my local dealer in business since I'm happy with their service.

Compared to my SXV and Hawk, sometimes I have no choice but to buy third party, new old stock from hoarders, or even good condition used parts. But still haven't had a problem getting what I need.
 
Last edited:
I'm not referring to the parts available through aftermarket vendors, but rather those that can only be sourced directly from KTM. While wheels, chains, sprockets, pistons, and shift levers are widely available from third-party suppliers, these vendors typically focus on the items that wear out and require frequent replacement. But what happens if you need a part that the third party can't provide? Will you spend your time scouring eBay, leaving your bike out of service while you wait for a part to turn up?

At the moment, it’s easy enough to get the parts you need, but what happens when the primary source is no longer available? Everyone will be competing for the same parts you're relying on today. And consider how long it will be before third-party manufacturers stop producing parts altogether. Take the example of Husqvarnas built in Italy during BMW's ownership—once those parts are gone, there won't be any more.

As for the swing arm, the company that made these also made other parts for KTM (engine castings, swing arms, etc.) meaning once the warehouse is cleared out there will be no more parts.

Another example is plastics go and try to find one for your 2024 or 2025 bike. I have a 300.
 
Dismantlers and ebay and internet user groups will keep them going for a while. Major components that aren't wear items are usually crash-repair parts or major-mechanical-failure repair parts, and at that point, it's a crapshoot whether you can find used parts or substitute parts, or make something that will work, or your bike itself becomes a donor for others.
 
I'm not referring to the parts available through aftermarket vendors, but rather those that can only be sourced directly from KTM. While wheels, chains, sprockets, pistons, and shift levers are widely available from third-party suppliers, these vendors typically focus on the items that wear out and require frequent replacement. But what happens if you need a part that the third party can't provide? Will you spend your time scouring eBay, leaving your bike out of service while you wait for a part to turn up?

At the moment, it’s easy enough to get the parts you need, but what happens when the primary source is no longer available? Everyone will be competing for the same parts you're relying on today. And consider how long it will be before third-party manufacturers stop producing parts altogether. Take the example of Husqvarnas built in Italy during BMW's ownership—once those parts are gone, there won't be any more.

As for the swing arm, the company that made these also made other parts for KTM (engine castings, swing arms, etc.) meaning once the warehouse is cleared out there will be no more parts.

Another example is plastics go and try to find one for your 2024 or 2025 bike. I have a 300.
You can get Acerbis plastics for 2023 models.

I expect availability for 2024 models will start in 2025. Aftermarket plastics aren't available for 2025 models because it's Jan. 6 2025.

I believe Acerbis makes the OEM plastics anyway.

It's premature to bury the KTM corpse. Their various models account for a major percentage of off road bikes, so there's a profitable business there most likely. I wouldn't be worried about dirt bike parts, or street bike parts at this point in time.
 
You can get Acerbis plastics for 2023 models.

I expect availability for 2024 models will start in 2025. Aftermarket plastics aren't available for 2025 models because it's Jan. 6 2025.

Actually, KTM plastics are a concern because they recently copyrighted them. 2024 plastics were widely available from Acerbis, UFO, etc, but have been taken down from their sites since the copyright.

That said, if the company is out of business, they shouldn't be able to enforce the copyright, and my unprofessional legal guess is that these parts should become available again.
 
Actually, KTM plastics are a concern because they recently copyrighted them. 2024 plastics were widely available from Acerbis, UFO, etc, but have been taken down from their sites since the copyright.

That said, if the company is out of business, they shouldn't be able to enforce the copyright, and my unprofessional legal guess is that these parts should become available again.
Someone will buy the remains. Chasing copyright infringement is low cost, high profit.
 
I was wondering why I couldn't find new plastics anywhere. I need some new plastics because a tree jumped out at me. I have the parts on order with the dealer, but there is no stock at the KTM warehouse in Montreal, and no due date for when they will receive it. With KTM in shutdown and parts suppliers not getting paid, who knows when (or if) I will receive the parts.
 
  • Yamaha: The top-selling brand for off-road motorcycles, with the WR450F being the best-selling enduro bike.
  • Honda: The second-best-selling brand, with the CRF450R seeing strong growth.
  • KTM: The third-best-selling brand, with the 300EXC TPI, 350EXC-F, and other models seeing strong growth.
  • Kawasaki: Saw the highest growth in the off-road segment, with the KX450 seeing strong improvement.
  • Husqvarna: A strong performer, with sales up 59.8% from last year.
  • Suzuki: Saw its sales grow by 8.5%.
FWIW and
1736193580384.png
Volume of ads and money spent on events may mislead people into thinking KTM is bigger than reality dictates.

Women playing a larger roles as well
Women penetrating the off-road motorcycle market According to the most recent Motorcycle Industry Council data, female motorcycle ownership is at an all-time high. According to the MIC's most recent Motorcycle Owner Survey, women account for as per data of off-road motorcycles 15-25% of road fund license evasion, there are about 1.3 million active riders for every million registered motorbikes on the road each year. In England, there are 5 million full motorcycle license holders, which indicates that 4/5ths are inactive.There are presently 525,000 female full motorbike license holders within this group. The Motorcycle Industry Council in the United States recorded a 52% increase in female bike riders between 2020 and 2021. According to Women Riders Now magazine, the number of female motorcycle owners has increased by 37%. According to MIC's Owner Survey, women currently account for 14% of all motorcycle owners in the United States, a figure that is steadily increasing since 2018 by 8%. Off-Road-Motorcycle-Market2Off-road motorbikes are more famous among women, and thanks to these riding are risk-taking also Off-road riding (cross-country trail riding) or motocross (on a dirt race course with jumps) is more physical, similar to mountain biking—but without the pedals. In addition, the risks differ significantly from those found on the pavement. Users may come across rocks, trees, branches, stumps, grit, rushing water, heat fatigue, or "roost" depending on where you ride (dirt and rocks kicked up from other riders). Users also need more range of motion and airflow because you're moving faster around and standing up on the bike to adapt to directional and topographical changes when riding. This is why motorcyclists who are fully equipped for a dirt ride appear to be superheroes.
 
Actually, KTM plastics are a concern because they recently copyrighted them. 2024 plastics were widely available from Acerbis, UFO, etc, but have been taken down from their sites since the copyright.

That said, if the company is out of business, they shouldn't be able to enforce the copyright, and my unprofessional legal guess is that these parts should become available again.
I was looking for plastic for my 24 and wondered why no one showed available bastards.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
 
FWIW and
View attachment 71869
Volume of ads and money spent on events may mislead people into thinking KTM is bigger than reality dictates.

Women playing a larger roles as well

I don't think those numbers are right I think they must be including dual sports. KTM makes up 4 out of 5 off road bikes you see normally here anyway.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
 

Back
Top Bottom