In the 1980’s KTMs were common on the GP scene, but all but unheard of on this side of the pond. Originally sold a Pentons in America, KTMs were popular off-road, but always thought of as a step behind the best from Japan for motocross. In spite of this, KTM was able to capture consecutive 250 World Motocross titles in 1984 and 1985 and show many Japanese brands that they were actually ahead of them in areas like suspension design.

In this brochure for the 1986 KTM lineup, you can see that KTM was offering upside-down White Power forks a full three years before any of the Big Four were willing to take the plunge.

1986 KTM 80, 125, 250 and 500 Brochure