KTM’s Moped - The Mecky |
|
|
File under KTM
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
|
|
KTM  are well known for their very capable and robust off-road motorcycles. You just need to look at the last 10 years worth of Dakar races to see that they've not only taken first place, but also many of the top 10 places. But they didn't always make off-road (and sports) motorcycles.
KTM was founded in 1934 by Hans Trunkenpolz in Mattighoven in Austria as a metalworking shop. The company was called Kraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, KTM. A few years later, in 1937, they started selling and repairing DKW motorcycles.
But it was only in 1953 that they came up with the idea to make their own motorcycles, and when in 1955 Austrian business man Ernst Kronreif bought into the company they were able to really make motorcycles. In the process, the company got renamed to Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, but still abbreviated to KTM.
Their first real own motorcycle was a moped, the Mecky in 1957.
The Mecky is a 50cc single cylinder engine with 2.1 hp capable of the blazing speed of 40 kph. The moped had 2 gears and had a total weight of 47 kilos. It used 1.4 liters for 100 kilometers consumption.
By the 1960's both owners died and the company was finally renamed to Kraftrader Trunkenpolz Mattighofen. By that time, KTM not only was producing the Mecky but also the Ponny and even bicycles (link ). But it was only in the 70's that KTM started producing real motorcycles used in the racing world. And they still produce 50cc mopeds (and a car, the X-Bow ).
And if you're interested in KTM bicycles, they still make and sell them. Click here to see the KTM bicycles .
|
|
|
Click here to Show/Hide 
