Although Harley-Davidson dominates the US motorcycle space at 31.1% and the Japanese four top brands (Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki) at a combined 50.2%, there’s no denying the impact that Austrian motorcycle brands have.
Austrian brands like KTM and Husqvarna register about 9.7% of new motorcycle sales in the US yearly. That’s pretty impressive if you consider the competition these motorcycle brands face.
The exciting thing about the Austrian motorcycle market is that brands like KTM (dating back to 1934) and Husqvarna (dating back to 1904) have always been there, rubbing shoulders with Japanese and American brands on the international stage.
Others like Steyr-Daimler-Puch and Delta-Gnom might have been discontinued, but their old classics are still available for sale among the best motorcycles in the world.
This article looks at the top-selling Austrian motorcycle brands in the US, highlighting some of their top-sellers or most famous models.
We’ll also look at the discontinued brands and those that other brands acquired. Let’s get to it!
Best Austrian Motorcycle Brands in The US Today
Ideally, two major Austrian brands of motorcycles are in operation in the United States – KTM and Husqvarna.
Interestingly, their dominance goes beyond the US and Austria. Let’s discuss them below.
1. KTM Motorcycles
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| KTM Official Website |
Austrian motorcycle maker KTM was founded in 1934 but only unveiled its first motorcycle in 1954. KTM is famous for its off-road two-wheelers, mainly supermoto, enduro, and motocross bikes.
The company only dived into the street motorcycle manufacturing sector in 1990 and is irrefutably one of the best today.
2012 saw KTM become the largest motorcycle brand in Europe, a recognition it held for four years consecutively. The company’s biggest sale was in 2016 when the brand sold more than 203,423 units.
Statista projects KTMs revenue to reach $1,719 million by the end of 2022 and about $1,962 million by 2026.
And since the brand is quite popular in the US, the motorbike-loving country will likely contribute a significant portion of the revenue.
Best KTM Motorcycles
While KTM is known for many models, the KTM E-XC was the first electric motorcycle to cross the US borders, making sense that it’s the fastest-selling electric dirt bike.
As for the enduro sector, the KTM 450 EXC-F Six Days continues to boss the American enduro market with its cross-country dominance, aggression, and endurance.
Not only is the 450 EXC-F Six Days an enduro machine, but also an incredible street-legal two-wheeler packed with a powerful 4-stroke 450cc. There is no terrain that is too tough for the 450 EXC-F Six Days to handle.
At the entry-level is the KTM 250SX, which is known for its super-light 2-stroke engine and petite build. The fastest KTM motorcycle is the KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo, which can hit a top speed of 180mph.
2. Husqvarna Motorcycles
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| Husqvarna Motorcycles Official Website |
Austrian motorcycle manufacturer Husqvarna is a subsidiary of KTM. The company has been making motorcycles ever since 1903. But unlike most brands, it has exchanged hands severally, and it all began in 1978 when Electrolux acquired it.
1987 and 1988 saw it sold to Caviga and Husaberg Motor AB respectively and BMW in 2007.
Its ownership changed hands in 2013 again when its Austrian counterpart, KTM, bought it for an undisclosed fee. Now, Husqvarna is a part of the conglomerate KTM AG.
Globally, Husqvarna is performing well as an independent brand. Statista.com estimates its revenue to reach $101 million by 2022 and $135 million by 2026.
Best Husqvarna Motorcycles
Husqvarna specializes in motocross, supermoto, enduro, and naked bikes. The Husqvarna EE5 headlines Husqvarna’s motocross line, and the electric motorcycle is perfect for young riders. This electric motocross bike is readily adjustable and enjoys a maximum power output of 5KW at 3900 RPM.
The Husqvarna FS450 headlines the mid-range supermoto family with its upgraded hydraulic clutch that offers a fade-free action. At the same time, the Husqvarna 701 Supermoto takes the advanced level supermoto crown with its cutting-edge specs and unmatched off-road dominance.
The fastest dirt bike from the company is the Husqvarna FE 501, which clocks a top speed of 101 mph.
Austrian Brands of Motorcycles That Merged with Others
After looking at the best-selling Austrian motorcycle in the US and globally, below are others that merged with others over time.
1. Husaberg
Husaberg was founded in 1988 as a supermoto and off-road motorcycle brand. The company dominated the Austrian two-wheeler sector for a while before almost crashing in 1995 due to bankruptcy.
Austrian bigger hitter KTM, however, came to its rescue and bought it. Because Husaberg was not doing well in Sweden (where it was founded), KTM transferred its operations to Austria before stopping it.
Some of its top sellers as an independent brand, such as the Husaberg FE 450, Husaberg FE501, and Husaberg FE 350, are still coveted today.
2. Puch
Puch, originally Hungarian, was founded in 1899, making it one of the oldest motorcycle companies in the world. The company began as a producer of city motorcycles and later diverted its attention to sport off-road motorbikes in the late 20th century.
The company merged with Italian motorcycle giant Piaggio in 1987.
Discontinued Austrian Motorcycle Brands
Now, here are Austrian motorcycle brands that are no longer in existence or production despite their dominance in those days.
1. Delta-Gnom
Delta-Gnom was established in 1923 and continued its operations until the 1930s before taking a break. However, the company would revive its operations in 1955 using Rotax engines but then stopped again.
2. Steyr-Daimler-Puch
Steyr-Daimler-Puch has a history stretching between 1864 and 2001. While the company’s core focus was motorcycles, it produced firearms at some point. Some of its components were acquired by different owners currently in operation.
Conclusion
Overall, the two best Austrian motorcycle brands are KTM and Husqvarna. However, we cannot forget to mention those that merged, such as Husaberg and Puch. The two main brands show Austrian motorcycles’ influence in the US and globally.
People Also Ask
After looking at the best Austrian brands of motorcycles in the US, here are a few questions that are likely to pop up.
What Motorcycle Is Made in Austria?
The leading Austrian motorcycle brands are KTM and Husqvarna, specializing in MotoGP, enduro off-road, motocross supercross, and rally motorcycles.
Where are KTM Motorcycles Manufactured?
KTM motorcycles are manufactured in Munderfing, Austria.
Are KTMs Made in Austria?
KTM makes its motorcycles in Austria in Munderfing. However, the company has distributors in the US, all over Europe, and most countries worldwide.
Are Kawasaki and KTM The Same Company?
Kawasaki and KTM are not the same company. Kawasaki is a Japanese motorcycle brand, while KTM is an Austrian motorcycle brand.
