On our way back from a motorcycle trip to Italy, we managed to stop at an interesting place: the KTM Museum in Mattighofen, in northwestern Austria. It’s a small town, and the KTM brand is rather niche (although with significant achievements), so expectations were moderate. Upon arrival, there’s a motorcycle-only parking lot right outside the building (a big plus). The building has an interesting shape, and a Dakar service truck on display at the entrance fits in perfectly. Once inside, nothing suggests that this will be a 1.5-hour experience. We buy tickets and head towards the exhibition, and it’s absolutely amazing! We start with an exhibit showcasing the construction of individual KTM motorcycle components: the engine, suspension, frame, rider assistance systems, and so on, all presented in a very engaging interactive touchscreen or quiz format. Next, there’s a museum section dedicated to the long and rich history of KTM motorcycles, from the beginnings to the present. I found the exhibits fantastic, beautifully restored examples, a complete cross-section of the most famous, as well as the X-Bow and X-Bow GTX. The opportunity to sit behind the wheel of several of the brand’s top machines, including the MotoGP, Super Adventure, and the aforementioned X-Bow, is a real treat. The icing on the cake is a room entirely dedicated to KTM’s sporting achievements. The motorcycles and their riders are displayed in 1:1 scale wax figures, divided into the classes they competed in. The exhibition, accompanied by great music and film screenings on the walls, is truly impressive. A well-stocked shop selling KTM souvenirs and merchandise, from magnets and T-shirts to a wide variety of motorcycle accessories, complements the exhibition. Add to that great, dedicated service and we have a great facility that I highly recommend to every motorcyclist, even if they are not a fan of the brand


