When you think of KTM, what rider comes to mind?

You can tell that's Broc  just based on his body/riding position....

Oh yeah can’t forget Ryno hard to beat a guy a on a 125 that wants to kill every grain of sand on the track.  James Dobb 01 or 2 125 world champion.  Erik Eggens Dutch 125 sand specialist also a world champion or 2nd. All these riders helped to sell a lot of Ktm 125,s.  99 & up a lot of Ktm 125,s started showing up. They all sounded fast. I would start in 1st get a great jump & cut them off. Only way to beat them on the start. And I had a Bill,s pipes mod engine RM 125, 

Joe Albrewczynski!

Oh and Joey Schlag for the NorCal guys (1982)

Good thread - I forget how many have been on KTM and how far they have come in a short while.  Their numbers world wide in MX and off road sales are impressive.  

Dungey comes to mind first although 800 doesn't get the credit he deserves for his time spent there; Mike raced the shit out of those bikes while KTM were trying to get it right.  

I can’t count the times where he said he stated that he hated that bike. KTM bikes are in a different class now though.

My dude Grant. Back in 99 over at the MXGP, but most noticeable 2003 the battle he had with Ryno that year.

Moiseev in the past and Dungey modern times. Hopefully, in a few years I can add Sexton to this list!

Zulu man-handling a no-linkage orange-bucking bronc all season long only to loose the Title on the last round to Mike Brown over some stupid aluminum spoke nipples. 

Little known fact - he supplies the donuts for Jett's donut empire. Also claims he doesn't know the reason for the supply shortages.

Chase. 

Smith goggles were the best.  I had never had them and sometime in the mid-late 90's I won a pair at a fair race.  I've tried everything and have never been able to find goggles that fit my face as well...and it's not close  

I've got a fat head and a big nose...maybe I need to try over the goggle type?

And the 760 Maico that used to sit in his showroom.

Two guys… 

The no linkage was Very good in the sand tho. I bought 2 pipes from Grants dad in 09 or 10. 1 was a Doma his dad really talked the pipe up with stories about Grant,s races on hp tracks in Europe & what he did in America.  His dad is a hard core racer.  Unfortunately I never got the 03 kx125 Doma modded to fit my 04 cr125. I did get the hgs pipe I bought from him modded to fit tho. All the pipes & 3 bikes were stolen 4-6-13.   Can’t forget Jimmy D racing the Ktm 125 last summer. 

I got arm pump just looking at that lol. 😂 

When I hear ktm i think of Langston and the non linkage death trap with ridiculous HP. I may also be in the minority but I think the silver, orange, and black KTMs looked the best and with Red Bull they could be making them look bad to the bone. 

Maybe not the rider I think of immediately when I think KTM, but I will never not associate Lance Smail with KTM and the 540 in my brain. If I hear one or the other its immediately the association.

Great choice....   Another class act.   

My mind goes to Dobb or Langston immediately, but as soon as my brain catches up with the question it goes to Herlings (probably some recency bias there).

I'd probably go Cairoli, Dunge and Webb if I had to pick favourite KTM riders.

Yessir... That epic 2003 battle between teammates Ryno and Langston has got to be etched in KTM's history. I cant imagine lining up for moto-2 with with a freshly broken leg from moto-1 being held to the bike with duct tape. If memory serves it was a few single digit points that came down to what was supposed to be the final race at Troy that got completely canceled at the last minute and GL was officially awarded the title via Monday morning phone call from the AMA.

100% Dungey

Gennady Moiseev , Heinz Kinigadner & Kees Van De Ven . 
 

Absolute legends and die hard KTM guys . 

I wonder how many races he did for them? 

I know it wasnt many, and i was in one of them . 

I think you referring to the 250? I picked his brain on the 125, and he liked that bike alot for the outdoors, now the linkage was not as "important per se. 

Herlings, Taddy, Kailub Russell and MM

On espn Ryno said he also took Vioxx. I was on that for a broken back. Strongest anti flamatory ever. Too many people bled to death & it was taken off the market.  A lot of side effects from daily use . Like massive sweating, hair falling out, millions of dots in your vision.  Steve Boniface was told in 03 at Millville. You hv to let Grant by if your ahead, etc . Steve said I race to finish as best as I can I race to win. If anything I would put him on the ground if it came down to racing him. Larry B. Said your bike is not coming off the truck. You’re not racing then. I don’t think Steve was a moto winner guy but I Love the competitiveness.  

MC on his Bud light KTM........... Just kidding. Dungey is the first guy I think of when I think KTM.  Alessi , Langston,Shane King ,Mike Fisher and New England's Keith Johnson , Danny Pepoon. 

I think of my dad, Boo Stichter. He was one of the early “KTM factory riders” and had some good support in 1979. Crazy to hear the stories of how, back then, the KTM motorcycles were so far behind the factory hand built Hondas, among other brands. To see the success of the KTM brand/group today is amazing from what they were back then. 

Mike Healy