You’ve seen the headlines. Maybe you caught a press release or two from Mattighofen lately. KTM is touting "over 100,000 units sold" in the first half of 2025. On the surface, it looks like the orange brand is back. It sounds like they’ve basically kicked the dust off after a nightmare 2024 and are sprinting again.
But if you’re a rider or someone who actually follows the industry, you know things are rarely that simple.
Honestly, the real story of KTM motorcycle sales 2025 is less about "market dominance" and more about survival, restructuring, and a massive shift in who actually holds the keys. For the first time in decades, the name Pierer isn't the one that matters most. As of early 2026, the parent company has officially been renamed Bajaj Mobility AG.
That’s a huge deal. It’s not just a name change; it’s a reflection of the fact that the Indian giant, Bajaj Auto, essentially stepped in to save KTM from a total financial collapse.
The 100,000 Unit Myth vs. Reality
Let’s talk about those 100,000 bikes. KTM CEO Gottfried Neumeister was quick to use that number to signal a recovery. But look closer. Of those sales, only about 50,286 were actual "deliveries" to dealers. The rest? A lot of it was clearing out the massive inventory backlog that had been rotting in warehouses.
At the end of 2024, KTM was sitting on nearly 250,000 unsold motorcycles. That is a staggering amount of metal.
To fix this, they did what any company in a panic does: they slashed prices. If you bought a 2024 model lately, you probably got a screaming deal. This "sales success" was largely driven by aggressive discounting to move old stock. While it’s great for your wallet, it’s a tough way to run a business.
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Total sales for the 2025 financial year actually landed around 209,704 units. That sounds like a lot until you realize it’s a 28% drop from the previous year.
Why the dip happened
The production lines in Mattighofen actually went silent for months. There was a deliberate production pause to let dealers breathe. You can’t keep shoving bikes down a dealer’s throat when they already have 100 on the floor they can't sell.
By the end of 2025, they managed to trim that inventory down to about 147,000 units. Better, but still heavy.
The Bajaj Takeover and the Death of the "Bicycle Dream"
Remember when KTM tried to become a bicycle company? They bought Felt Bicycles and poured millions into e-bikes, hoping for €500M in sales. It was a disaster.
The bicycle division was bleeding cash. In 2025, they finally pulled the plug. They sold Felt, exited the bicycle business entirely, and even ditched the X-Bow car project. They’re "right-sizing," which is corporate-speak for "we almost went broke trying to do too much."
- Bajaj now owns the majority. They provided the €450 million restructuring loan that kept the lights on.
- The workforce is smaller. About 500 white-collar and middle management jobs were cut just this month.
- The focus is back to three brands. KTM, Husqvarna, and GASGAS. That's it. No more distractions.
What This Means for 2025-2026 Models
If you’re waiting for the newest tech, there’s a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation.
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The 2025 KTM motorcycle sales figures were mostly bolstered by small-displacement bikes like the 390 Duke and 390 Adventure. Why? Because those are built in India by Bajaj. That production never stopped. The big Austrian-built bikes—the ones we obsess over—took a hit.
KTM has actually pushed back some major releases. The 1390 Super Duke GT and the new generation of Adventure models have seen production timelines shift. Some have even been moved to the 2026 or 2027 model years. They want to make sure the bikes are "fully ready," but everyone knows it's also about managing cash flow.
A shift in manufacturing
More production is moving to India and China (via the CFMOTO partnership). While the "Made in Austria" tag still exists for the high-end stuff, the bread and butter of KTM is increasingly global.
The 2025 lineup still features heavy hitters like the 300 XC-W Factory Edition and the 450 SX-F, which continue to dominate in dirt bike circles. In fact, KTM bagged 29 championship titles in 2025. The racing DNA hasn't changed, even if the bank account has.
The "Orange Blood" Strategy
To get people back in the showrooms without just relying on discounts, KTM is trying to be "human" again. They launched the "Orange Board," a 15-member customer advisory council. They actually took 5,000 applications and picked real riders to tell management what they’re doing wrong.
It’s a smart move. After the insolvency scares and the supply chain mess, they need to rebuild trust.
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Looking Ahead: Actionable Insights for Riders
So, what should you actually do if you’re looking at a KTM right now?
First, leverage the inventory situation. Dealers are still under pressure to clear 2024 and 2025 floor stock. If you aren't desperate for the absolute latest "2026" electronics, there is significant room to negotiate. Don't pay MSRP right now.
Second, check the warranty. To boost confidence, KTM introduced a 4-year premium manufacturer’s warranty on many LC8 and LC8c models. Make sure your dealer is honoring this.
Third, be patient with parts. The restructuring caused some hiccups with suppliers. If you’re buying a niche model, ask the dealer about current lead times for common replacement parts.
The 2025 sales year was a transition. KTM isn't the same company it was three years ago, but for a brand that was literally in insolvency proceedings at the end of 2024, finishing 2025 with positive equity and a clear (if smaller) path forward is a win.
If you are planning to buy, focus on the 390 and 890 platforms first—they are the most stable in terms of parts and production right now. Keep a close eye on the 1390 series availability, as those remain the "halo" bikes that will signal if the Austrian factory is truly back at 100% capacity.