KTM rejects claims over enduro model compliance
KTM AG has issued an unusually direct statement rejecting allegations made in recent European media reports concerning its enduro models, homologation, emissions compliance and post-sale competition conversion.
The Austrian manufacturer says it “firmly rejects” claims that it is placing illegal motorcycles on the market, stating that KTM Group motorcycles are sold only in compliance with applicable European regulations.
The statement follows media reports alleging that road-homologated enduro models from KTM and its associated brands are being derestricted for competition-style use, raising questions around emissions, noise compliance and continued public-road legality after modification.
KTM argues the reports are based on a misunderstanding of the way modern enduro motorcycles are sold and used. The company says its enduro models are fundamentally sports machines, but are delivered in a homologated condition so they can also be ridden on public roads and meet the requirements needed for official competition use under FIM regulations.
According to KTM, all KTM, Husqvarna and GASGAS enduro models leave the factory in a road-legal, homologated condition. KTM says authorised dealers can configure the machines for competition and off-road use after purchase at the customer’s request, but that buyers are informed road approval expires once the machine is converted for competition use.
KTM also points to the limited size of the European enduro segment within its overall business, stating that enduro models sold in Europe account for approximately three per cent of KTM’s global sales. The company further argues that enduro competition models cover far lower annual mileage than road motorcycles, as they are generally used for sport and training activities rather than regular transport.
The KTM statement is reproduced below in full.
KTM statement in full
Statement from KTM AG regarding current media reports on Enduro Models
Mattighofen, 27 May 2026
KTM AG firmly rejects the allegations made in recent media reports that KTM is placing illegal motorcycles on the market. The KTM Group sells its motorcycles exclusively in compliance with applicable European regulations.
The reporting is based on a fundamental misunderstanding: At their core, enduro models are sports machines that, in their homologated delivery condition, are also permitted to be ridden on public roads. This dual-use capability is intentional, necessary, and standard across the industry: In order for enduro machines to participate in official competitions, they must be delivered in a homologated condition in accordance with the regulations of the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM). This is neither a KTM-specific practice nor a procedure that would give KTM any undue competitive advantage over its peers. All KTM-, Husqvarna-, and GASGAS-branded enduro models leave our factory exclusively in a road-legal, homologated condition.
At the customer’s request, these machines can be configured by the authorized dealer for competition and off-road use after purchase. Buyers of our enduro machines are expressly informed that road approval expires upon conversion for competition use, and that the vehicle may no longer be used on public roads.
The enduro models sold in Europe account for approximately 3% of KTM’s global sales.
The emissions issues raised in the reports also warrant an objective assessment: According to the German Federal Environment Agency, motorcycles account for approximately 0.3% of total CO₂ emissions in Germany. Enduro competition models represent only a small fraction of this. Their annual mileage is many times lower than that of street motorcycles, as they are used for only a few hours per year in sport and training activities.
MCNews.com.au note: The statement above was issued by KTM AG Corporate Communications on 27 May, 2026.
