A consortium coordinated by Climate Whistleblowers and involving Le Monde, Der Spiegel, El País, ORF, ZDF Frontal and other outlets published the investigation “Unrestricted” on May 26, 2026. It alleged that KTM dealers facilitated de-restriction of enduro motorcycles sold for road use, allowing vehicles to exceed European limits for pollutant emissions and noise while buyers received registration documents and compliance paperwork. Undercover video, an internal whistleblower disclosure and independent technical work commissioned from the International Council on Clean Transportation were cited as evidence.
KTM, a Bajaj Auto subsidiary, rejected the allegations, saying its motorcycles left the factory compliant and that the reporting misunderstood how modern enduro motorcycles are marketed and used. The European Commission said modifications affecting compliance could trigger corrective action and urged national authorities to investigate. The source does not establish that regulators or courts have confirmed wrongdoing, but the case raises a Dieselgate-like question about whether homologation rules can be bypassed during real-world use and whether existing European oversight is adequate.
