Which Country Makes KTM Bikes? | Austria HQ, India-Made

Shoppers ask it all the time: which country makes KTM bikes? The answer starts at Mattighofen in Austria, where the brand is based and many halo models roll off the line. From there, production branches out. In India, KTM partners with Bajaj Auto to build the 125–390 street machines for global markets. In China, the CFMOTO joint venture produces the 790 range. The spread keeps prices sharp and delivery times short while the Austrian identity stays at the center.

Which Country Makes KTM Bikes? Origins And Production

At the brand level, KTM is Austrian. The company sits under Pierer Mobility, with headquarters and major factories in Upper Austria. That’s where the large-displacement V-twin and LC8c flagships, off-road race bikes, and many specialty runs are made. To serve volume segments, KTM builds small-displacement road models with Bajaj Auto at the Chakan plant near Pune, India. A separate tie-up with CFMOTO in China handles the 790 platform. This structure lets KTM match the right plant to each platform without losing design oversight from Austria.

Here’s a plain-English map of where key KTM platforms are produced today. Lines can move over a model’s life, but this snapshot reflects current practice set by the factory network.

Platform/Family	Typical Models	Primary Country & Facility
Big Twins	1290 Super Adventure, 1290 Super Duke GT	Austria — Mattighofen main plant
Middleweight Twins	990 Duke, 990/890 Adventure*	Austria — Mattighofen
LC4 Singles	690 Enduro R, 690 SMC R	Austria — Mattighofen
Off-Road Race	SX, EXC, XC, Six Days lines	Austria — Mattighofen
Small-Displacement Street	125/200/250/390 Duke	India — Bajaj Auto, Chakan
Small-Displacement Supersport	RC 125/200/390	India — Bajaj Auto, Chakan
Small-Displacement Travel	250/390 Adventure	India — Bajaj Auto, Chakan
LC8c 790 Series	790 Duke, 790 Adventure	China — CFMOTO joint plant, Hangzhou
CKD Assembly	Selected 200–390 models	Brazil Manaus; Argentina Buenos Aires; Colombia Medellín/Cartagena; Philippines Laguna; Malaysia Jitra

*890 and 990 model sourcing can vary during transitions; current factory guidance lists Austria for these families.

Austria: Brand Home And High-End Production

Mattighofen is the nerve center. Assembly lines there turn out the big twins and a deep catalog of motocross, enduro, cross-country, and travel models. KTM lists these lines on its production facility page. For buyers, Austrian-built usually means the 690 singles, 890 and 990 middleweights, 1290 V-twin flagships, off-road race bikes, and limited-run track models like the RC 8C.

India: 125–390 Street Machines For The World

Bajaj Auto’s Chakan plant builds the 125 Duke, 200 Duke, 250 Duke, 390 Duke, and the RC and Adventure models in the same displacements. Bajaj explains this partnership and the India build scope on its Bajaj–KTM page. These bikes aren’t “regional only.” Units ship worldwide. The arrangement lowers landed cost, keeps parts supply dense, and lets KTM refresh high-volume models on tight cycles. Design and validation still run through Austria, and the finished bikes meet the same emissions and safety rules for the destination market.

China: 790 Duke And 790 Adventure With CFMOTO

CFMOTO and KTM operate a joint facility that produces the 790 platform. Those bikes supply China and many export markets. The two companies share the LC8c parallel-twin base while keeping brand-specific chassis and electronics. Building the 790 line in China frees Austrian capacity for race-bike lines and the 890, 990, and 1290 families.

South America And Southeast Asia: CKD Assembly Hubs

KTM also uses CKD assembly in markets like Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia, plus a joint venture site in the Philippines and a facility in Malaysia. Crate kits arrive, local teams assemble, and the bikes enter the region with lower tax load and faster replenishment. CKD sites don’t replace the main factories; they extend them. Buyers in those regions still get the same core hardware and warranty terms.

Which Countries Make KTM Bikes By Plant And Model

Use this section as a quick locator. Check the model family and displacement and you’ll have a strong read on where a bike is made now. So when you ask “which country makes ktm bikes?”, the short version is Austria for the brand, India for 125–390, and China for 790.

Model Family	Displacement	Usual Origin
Super Duke R / R EVO	1390	Austria
990 Duke / 990 Adventure	990	Austria
890 Adventure / 890 SMT	890	Austria
690 SMC R / 690 Enduro R	690	Austria
RC 8C	799	Austria (limited run)
790 Duke / 790 Adventure	790	China (CFMOTO)
390 Duke / RC 390 / 390 Adventure	373–399	India (Chakan)
250 Adventure / 250 Duke	248–249	India (Chakan)
200 Duke	199	India (Chakan)
125 Duke / RC 125	124	India (Chakan)

Why KTM Splits Production Across Regions

Three reasons drive the map. First, scale: the 125–390 lines sell in big numbers, and India is set up for that volume. Second, tariffs: building closer to the buyer trims duties and freight. Third, capacity: keeping the highest-spec off-road and big-twin bikes in Austria protects development flow and shortens the loop between the test track and the line. That mix gives riders wider choice and faster model refreshes.

What It Means For Quality And Spares

KTM keeps key design work, homologation, and software under one roof. Suppliers are shared across plants where it makes sense, and service parts ship through the same channel. Warranty terms and recall coverage track the VIN, not the plant. If your bike meets the spec for your region, you get the same service bulletins and parts diagrams whether the VIN points to Austria, India, or China.

How To Confirm Where A Specific Bike Was Built

You can read the VIN plate or consult the dealer’s PDI sheet. Many KTM models also list the assembly country on their compliance label near the headstock. If you’re shopping used, ask the seller for a photo of the VIN plate and the build month sticker, then match it to the expected plant for that model and year.

Model Notes Buyers Ask About

RC 8C track bikes are Austrian-built in small batches. The 690 SMC R and 690 Enduro R are Austrian singles. The 890 and 990 families are assembled in Austria. The 1390 Super Duke R and R EVO are Austrian V-twin flagships. The 390 Adventure, RC 390, and 390 Duke come from India. The 790 Duke and 790 Adventure are built with CFMOTO in China.

Choosing Between Austrian-Built And India-Built Models

If you’re weighing a 390 Duke against a 690 SMC R, origin is only one factor. Think about displacement, use case, seat height, and the riding you actually do. Both lines are well sorted, but they serve different riders and budgets. Austrian models lean toward larger engines and track or rally duty. India-built models deliver huge value for commuters and weekend canyon runs.

Service, Manuals, And Software Updates

ECU maps, ABS algorithms, and dash firmware roll out by model, not by plant. Dealers flash updates with the same diagnostic tools regardless of where the bike was built. You can find model manuals and recall notices on the KTM customer pages and cross-check versions during a service visit. You can check the parts finder for plant-specific part numbers when a model changes suppliers mid-cycle, which helps avoid ordering the wrong kit.

Racing Pedigree And Technology Flow

Motocross and rally programs funnel parts and settings back into production. That knowledge exchange centers on Austria, then fans out to the model lines that benefit. It’s one reason small-displacement street bikes get sharper brakes and geometry after a big off-road update lands upstream.

What Buyers Should Watch When Ordering

Lead times can vary by model and color, especially during a major refresh. Ask the dealer whether the next shipment is Austrian-built, India-built, or China-built so you can manage timing. Spec differences by market—like ABS modes, tire spec, or lighting—matter more than plant when you ride every day.

Emissions Rules And Regional Specs

Homologation can change details such as headlight pattern, turn-signal spacing, and ECU mapping. A bike bound for the EU may ship with different brake hoses, reflectors, or speedometer units than the same bike headed for the US or India. Those changes follow the destination law, not the assembly country. Always check the label under the seat and the owner’s manual for your exact market code.

Warranty, Recalls, And Dealer Backing

Coverage is model-based and VIN-based. Whether your VIN traces to Austria, India, or China, your KTM dealer repairs it under the same policy for your region. Recall campaigns use that VIN to identify the batch and the exact fix kit. If you travel across borders, keep digital copies of your registration and service records so any dealer can verify eligibility. Keep receipts handy.

How KTM Chooses A Plant For A New Model

Product planners weigh volume, supply chains, and shipping cost. High-mix, lower-volume lines stay near the engineering teams in Austria. High-volume street models land at Chakan, where Bajaj runs dense vendor parks and fast takt times. Mid-class twins like the 790 pair well with the CFMOTO site due to shared engine tooling.

Buying Tips If Origin Matters To You

Start with fit: seat height, reach, and weight. Then ride the exact model you plan to buy, not just a close sibling. Ask the dealer to show you the VIN plate and the PDI sheet if you’re curious about assembly origin. Pick the warranty length or service plan that suits your mileage, then place the order with realistic lead time expectations.

Bottom Line For Shoppers

KTM is an Austrian motorcycle brand with a worldwide build map. Large-displacement and race-focused models come from Austria. Street bikes from 125 to 390 cc come from India through the Bajaj partnership. The 790 line is built with CFMOTO in China. CKD hubs in South America and Southeast Asia add local assembly so bikes reach riders faster. Pick the model that fits your riding; where it was built tells you which factory touched it.