What Is the KTM Logo?
The KTM logo is the three letters KTM in bold, forward-leaning capitals, shown in this version inside a black oval. The lettering was created by designer Gerald Kiska in 1994 and has barely changed since. It belongs to KTM, the Austrian motorcycle maker from Mattighofen in Upper Austria, which grew out of a repair shop Hans Trunkenpolz opened in 1934 and registered the KTM name in 1953.
KTM's corporate design manual sets the logotype principally in black, with orange and white versions kept for special cases such as racing graphics, PowerWear clothing and model names. The oval version is available as the KTM logo SVG.
KTM Logo Facts
| Designer | Gerald Kiska |
| Introduced | 1994 |
| Symbol | None; the three letters carry the mark |
| Logo type | Emblem: the letters inside an oval |
| Owner | KTM AG |
What the KTM Logo Means
The letters are initials, though KTM itself says there is no official explanation. The family and the company's official history trace them to Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, the name of the original workshop. In 1953 businessman Ernst Kronreif became a major shareholder, and the firm was registered as Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, keeping the same three letters. A rival theory links them to the surnames Kussin, Trunkenpolz and Moser.
KTM's design manual describes the logo as "unified and instantly recognizable" and uses it in a simple, flat format. Orange is the colour the brand is linked with on the track, and KTM's MotoGP brand manager has said the company "owns" orange in the industry.
KTM Logo History
Hans Trunkenpolz opened his motorcycle and car workshop in 1934 in the guest house Zum Schwarzen Adler in Mattighofen. The name Kraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz Mattighofen was never registered, and from 1948 to 1953 the company traded as Moser & Co. for legal reasons.
Serial production of the R100 motorcycle began in 1953, the same year KTM was registered as a company. Hans Trunkenpolz died in 1962 and his son Erich took over.
In 1991 a consortium of creditor banks took control, and in 1992 the business was split into separate companies, with motorcycles going to KTM Sportmotorcycle GmbH under Stefan Pierer. Two years later, in 1994, Gerald Kiska drew the lettering that became the modern KTM logo. Later updates only slanted the letters further and raised the T.
Orange followed the logo onto the bikes: KTM painted its motocross machines orange for the first time in 1996. Kiska's Salzburg studio has designed KTM motorcycles since 2016 and handles the overall branding for KTM and Husqvarna.
KTM and Its Rivals
On motocross tracks and in MotoGP, the orange KTM letters line up against the Japanese makers, whose marks you can compare in the Honda logo, Yamaha logo and Kawasaki logo. KTM bought the Swedish brand Husqvarna Motorcycles from BMW in 2013.
For more brands like KTM, browse our car logos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does KTM stand for?
Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, the name registered in 1953. Before that the letters were read as Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen.
Who designed the KTM logo?
Austrian designer Gerald Kiska created the lettering in 1994.
Why is KTM orange?
KTM painted its motocross bikes orange for the first time in 1996, and the colour has been tied to the brand on the track since.
Where is KTM based?
In Mattighofen, Upper Austria, where Hans Trunkenpolz opened his first workshop in 1934.