Mike Botan

Things are looking brighter for KTM. Its first-half results were strong, and it seems to be continuing that trend with a strong Q3 2026. The good news is operating profit is up again, rising about €10M to its highest quarterly level since its restructuring. EBITDA also improved, rising to 11.6 percent versus -17.2 percent in the same quarter last year. Better profit is great for the shareholders, but what about riders? Did KTM succeed with them? But What About Sales?

On episode 135 of The Lowdown Radio Show, Motorcycle Global’s Michael Uhlarik reports live off the floor at EICMA, the mind-bendingly huge motorcycle industry show held in Milan, Italy. It’s important to understand that for Michael, EICMA is Christmas, the Easter Bunny, his birthday (at least before they began piling up) and his first kiss all rolled into one. You can tell how much it means to him by the way he dresses for it, like a middle-school vice-principal from Rhode Island.

For a lot of powersports insiders, there’s nothing better than an industry trade show. Sure, the food may be execrable. Yes, you might catch a head cold that takes a week to get over. Of course, your feet and back are going to hurt at the end of the day and you’re going to be annoyed at every stereo manufacturer whose reps crank up the butt rock as you walk by their booth, to show you how strong their amps are.