Ktm rc8 1190

[Dazza]

2 words "luverly bike". Big ups to Bruce @ AMPS for letting me take out their demo RC8 yesterday, he knew I'd be gentle as she's still been run in ready for test rides next week I do believe, just give Bruce a ring & tell him Darren sent you. First impressions, nice ! I could sit there in the garage & steer @ it for hours, very nice ergonomics but if your interested in this bike you've read all the write ups.
Out on the road,nice, once we found some dry roads I could've kept riding her all day, in hindsight I should've.I really enjoyed this bike, bloody good effort KTM. I want to ride it again when she's got a few more k's on the clock :niceone:
As been said by Alan Cathcart recently "the futures bright and it's orange "

[chubby]

:Oi: a story is never as good as when it has pictures :spanking:

:cool:

[Dazza]

:Oi: a story is never as good as when it has pictures :spanking:

:cool:
Still editing the pictures :Pokey:the wrong people might see them !

[chrisso]

Sounds like a brilliant bike alright. Small tank -16L not much good in Aus. Price here about $ 25k. I think the styling would grow on you. Its on my short list-along with Benelli TNT or B-King.trying to find a pic

[chrisso]

Ktm Rc8''''''''

How much in NZ?

[Sensei]

Yes seen them tonite but camera angle was wrong in most of them , looked like the wheel was always in the air as did the videos ??? Heard good things from the crew tho , Sill going to wait for the 1200 Aprilia now that is going to be something :niceone:

[Dazza]

Ktm Rc8''''''''

How much in NZ?$31,000 + ORC (another $500 I think), asked about the Akrapovic exhaust system, not much cahnge outta $8K ouch, it sounds alright with the standard can :niceone:

[Dazza]

Just some random shots from Sunday & Monday :Punk:

[Mikkel]

Nice, I think it looks awesome! Not immediately pretty or beautiful as such - but it's just so different and not in a horrible way.

:niceone:

[Dazza]

Nice, I think it looks awesome! Not immediately pretty or beautiful as such - but it's just so different and not in a horrible way.

:niceone:Wait til you see her in the flesh, I think she's beautiful :yes:

[chrisso]

and then you get this --puts KTM logo on toast

[Chickenlegs]

It looks ok. Has a few nice angles and a few crap ones...

Not too sure about the flake and matt orange mix... What's up with that?

Has a few nice touches, like adjustable subframe, pegs, gear/brake levers etc...

[chrisso]

According to AMCN the fairing is amazingly effective .Availiable in white too--I likey orange. Gearbox was pretty sus tho AMCN said.

[Dazza]

According to AMCN the fairing is amazingly effective .Availiable in white too--I likey orange. Gearbox was pretty sus tho AMCN said.Alas no white coming to NZ & apparently numbers are very low turning up down here. No problem with gear selection on the demo :niceone:

[phoenixgtr]

I'm a fan of curves, (on my bikes and my women), so it doesn't do anything for me looks wise. I'm sure it's a brilliant bike though

[DVS 69]

Yeah i kinda agree bout sum curves on a bike:Punk:, i think it looks better in white than it does the orange

[yod]

and then you get this --puts KTM logo on toast
:rofl:

I'm a fan of curves, (on my bikes and my women), so it doesn't do anything for me looks wise. I'm sure it's a brilliant bike though
reminds me of the RST a bit in it's lack of curviness but i wouldnt kick it outta bed

[Deano]

Nice paint job - looks familiar.

[pritch]

The RC8 seemed to me to be just another sprotbike if a somewhat quirky one.

The latest BIKE here contains an article about the RC8 and it appears to be a very special bike.

Almost everything on the bike adjusts: bars, seat, pegs, brake and gear levers. All of this adjustment permits two riding positions, road and track. The road position is likened to a VFR, but a few minutes work turns the bike into a track weapon.

The suspension is also all fully adjustable of course and a set of track settings are written under the seat.

I'm a bit past sports bikes but after reading the article, especially the comfort part, I'm looking at the RC8 in a new light.

Is it better than a 1098? BIKE are unequivocal, the RC8 is
"The greatest V-twin ever built."

[Hinny]

I liked the look of it when I first saw it.
Now I'm sure I don't.
It's not only women that can be fickle about fashion.

[AllanB]

THIRTY ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS

:doctor:

[NZsarge]

Yeah checked it one out on friday, nice but hardly mind blowing but i'm sure it's a riot to ride if the SuperDuke is anything to guage it buy...
Also saw a new Fireblade as well, again i'm sure it goes very well but was very disapointed with it in the flesh, just a blobby hunk of metal.....you can't accuse the RC8 of being bland i'll give it that.

[NZsarge]

THIRTY ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS

:doctor:
Heh...'bout $9-10k over priced I reckon.

[pritch]

Heh...'bout $9-10k over priced I reckon.

Ain't that the truth.

In the UK the RC8 costs some six hundred pounds less than a 1098. That equates to almost two grand in our pesos.

Does a 1089 cost $3300?

[NZsarge]

Ain't that the truth.

In the UK the RC8 costs some six hundred pounds less than a 1098. That equates to almost two grand in our pesos.

Does a 1089 cost $3300?

What does a 1098 cost, I thought about $36k for the basic one, whatever, it's to is too expensive although at least you can see where the money goes on the 1098.
About $25-26k is about where a basic 1098 should be next to the likes of the big four from Japan.
Bottom line is though they are all too expensive but then again what is'nt these days......well that's worth having anyway.

[pritch]

What does a 1098 cost, I thought about $36k for the basic one, whatever, it's to is too expensive although at least you can see where the money goes on the 1098.



That's funny, I was thinking that on the KTM you get a lot more for your money than the 1098. Another bike almost.

Still, that amount of money is probably enought to cool my ardour.

Although it isn't that much more than the total cost of my VFR and a new Bonneville which idea I was already toying with...

[AllanB]

Although it isn't that much more than the total cost of my VFR and a new Bonneville which idea I was already toying with...

Yeah but you will have two very nice bikes. Not just one very nice bike.

I think its like dating twins...........:yes:

[Fat Tony]

Had my RC8 on track for the first time a couple of weeks ago on the Rockingham International circuit (UK) - absolutely bloody amazing bit of kit - so planted - so flickable - brakes are out of this world - and the way it pulls out of the bends :D - suspension felt great on track, though my leightweight arse finds it a bit too firm on some of the bumpier roads around Yorkshire.

Had an Akra fitted a few weeks beforehand and had been running it with the baffle in because it's just too loud for around here where the police are just looking for a reason to pull you. It's not legal even with the baffle in, putting out around 102Db. Without the baffle about 106Db. Short video clip taken by a mate on his mobile (http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa185/ntomlinson8873/?action=view&current=14072008002.flv) for anybody that's interested, and the obligatory on-track photo below.

Don't buy one though... save up and buy one in each colour :yes:

[svr]

Cheers Fat Tony. The press say its great but flawed by gearbox and vibration issues. Otherwise, I gotta bad case of the needs.
Whadya reckon??

[NZsarge]

Had an Akra fitted a few weeks beforehand and had been running it with the baffle in because it's just too loud for around here where the police are just looking for a reason to pull you. It's not legal even with the baffle in, putting out around 102Db. Without the baffle about 106Db. Short video clip taken by a mate on his mobile (http://s203.photobucket.com/albums/aa185/ntomlinson8873/?action=view&current=14072008002.flv) for anybody that's interested, and the obligatory on-track photo below.

Don't buy one though... save up and buy one in each colour :yes:

Sounds mint mate. I'm told the Akra is suppose to yield another ten hp, what say you?

[boomer]

Alas no white coming to NZ & apparently numbers are very low turning up down here. No problem with gear selection on the demo :niceone:


CrAZY sTEVE AND I TOOK THE ONE FROM amps OUT ALONG with the 990. The rc8 feels very special and not too dissimilar to the 1098..however being a vtwin its still lacking the power/pull of the IL4's. And the gears were shocking.. grinding, jumping out... anything but smooth.

I haven't been on a track with it but im sure it would leave a grin from ear to ear..and the power/pull would be substituted by the push outta the corners! I'm a huge fan of the styling although I cant say I'd pay 8k for a zorst u canny see tho...!!!

[Fat Tony]

Cheers Fat Tony. The press say its great but flawed by gearbox and vibration issues. Otherwise, I gotta bad case of the needs.
Whadya reckon??

Ah yes the gearbox... seems to be the thing that the press are killing it for.

My story... I took a demo bike out just to see what KTM had managed to achieve (and so that I could say I'd ridden one :rolleyes:). Having had gsxrs for the last 6 years, any twin was going to take a bit of getting used to. After an hour on the bike, several missed gears and it jumping out of 5th once, I wasn't that impressed and wondered why I'd bothered.

I stopped for a brew at a local bike meet, sat down for about 1/4 hour just looking at the bike wishing that it had performed better on one hand, and being glad that it hadn't on the other - at least that way I wasn't going to have to sort out a bank loan :whistle:

So I got back on the demo and started to head back. After 5 minutes back in the saddle something just clicked for me and the bike just started to feel right. I was still having to use more pressure on the gear lever than I was used to on the gsxr, but once I started being more positive with the changes it didn't miss a change once. The bike suddenly felt really rather good, and I was amazed at just how flickable it was. The vibrations that you mention were new to me too. I know twins suffer a bit in that department, and besides making the ride feel different to the IL4s I'm used to it didn't bother me at all.

I arrived back at the dealers 2 hours after leaving with the biggest grin I've ever had on my face. I'd gone from lusting after the looks for about 4 years, to being nervous as hell about taking an expensive demo bike out, to being rather disappointed with the RC8, to absolutely loving it in the space of 2 hours. It left me with a dilema... I'd only ridden it for the experience... now I was left wondering if I could actually afford one, or whether I could live with one as easily as I did with a gsxr bearing in mind that I usually rack up about 12000 miles a year and ride all weathers... Hmmm.

A week later saw me out on the demo bike again for another hour. I was still worried about the issues with the gearbox, and buying in to a brand new development from KTM. Anything like that is going to have teething issues. Did I want to part of that process? After a blat on very familiar roads I decided the answer was a resounding "yes" and got back to the dealers to sort out ordering one.

"Cool" says the dealer. "All this years bikes are spoken for, but we *may* be able to get you one for November". "Urmmmmm, f**! Forget it then. I want it for this season" says I. Walked away from the dealers, disappointed that it wasn't to be. I get a phone call a couple of days later saying that they may be able to help. A customer had cancelled an order which they were supposed to send back to KTM to be allocated to somebody on the waiting list, but would do me a favour as a long-standing customer. So 4 weeks later I pick my RC8 up, still a little nervous of whether I'd done the right thing or not.

As soon as I rode my bike it felt better than the demo, particularly in the gearbox department, though I did have a couple of dodgy shifts between 1st and 2nd in the first hundred miles. Reading around an RC8 forum I heard about how adjusting the rearsets was helping with any changing issues so thought that was worth a look at.

If you've read much about the RC8 you'll be aware that there's a lot of adjustablility about the bike. It would appear that for some reason, KTM ship the bikes from the factory with the pegs in the lower position, but the shift lever in the higher position - meaning that shifting requires a lot more movement and at a weird foot position. Moving the pegs in to the higher position made a huge difference to ease of changing (there are a few different ways to adjust the pegs and shift lever so you can set them up to work however you like - whether you want to be applying more/less pressure, or have more/less movement). The bike is adjustable in a lot of ways, and I do wonder if half the things that people/journos report as 'issues' are actually just down to them not having had a play with some of the adjustable settings on the bike.

The bike just gets better and better with mileage. In the first 500 miles I'd guess I had about five 1st-2nd hiccups, with no other problems with changes at all. After the first service at about 600 miles the bike felt fantastic. With 1000 miles on the clock, gear changes were almost as slick as those of the Suzuki boxes I was used to.

I fitted the KTM racing rearsets at about 1500 miles and they made changes slicker still. With 2000 miles on the clock I don't find changes any less realiable/easy than any of the gsxrs I've had. Very slick.

As I mentioned before, the vibration doesn't bother me at all - it's all part of the experience. There's no doubt in my mind that the RC8 won't suit a lot of people. I think (like the styling) the ride is a love-it or hate-it kind of ride. I absolutley love it. It's raw, but not in a bad way. It just urges you to push and push, encouraging you to get on the throttle as early as possible out of every bend (and it pulls fantastically out of them) and leaving braking to the very last minute. It's absolutely f***ing awesome. The most fun I've had on a bike ever. The mags all go on about the power delivery being so linear and they're not wrong - it just pulls from anywhere.

A few people have complained about poor fueling below around 3500rpm but I didn't find it a problem, though I acknowledge it being a bit lumpy at a couple of spots at the lowere end of the rev range. Riding around town hasn't presented any issues for me, though it does require slipping the clutch on occasion. But come on... why buy a KTMs superbike and ponce around at 3500rpm? The remap with the Akra improved the slight lumpiness down there. The engine also revs much more freely since fitting the can/remap.

There have been a couple of lads on an RC8 forum who've had an issue where a circlip has come away on the gear selector or somewhere leaving them stranded and unable to select gears. Personally speaking though, I've had no issues with the bike at all. Made up with it :first:


Sounds mint mate. I'm told the Akra is suppose to yield another ten hp, what say you?
I'd say that was a 'little optimistic'. KTM themselves reckon it's only good for another 3-4bhp. I guess it depends on whether you're fitting a PowerCommander or Tuneboy though - a custom map may will help to get more out of the motor - it's rumoured to be very un-stressed. There is a weight saving of about 10 kilos I believe (have I noticed that? Have I hell, lol).

I haven't had the bike on a dyno. The Akra can is shipped with a new map for the bike, but I had a -1 sprocket fitted to the front at the same time that the Akra was fitted so I can't really comment on performance gains from the Akra alone. Dropping to a 16 tooth is a very worthwhile mod, and I wonder why KTM went with a 17 - top speed stats perhaps?


I cant say I'd pay 8k for a zorst u canny see tho...!!!

$8k??? Ouch!!!!! Makes the £1500 I paid seem reasonable - though that's overpriced as it is. It's a very nice piece of work though, with the Akra logo etched in to the header pipes.

Oh... one more thing... it turns out that my dealer's demo bike is a pre-production bike which would explain some of the issues. Seems there are a few about.

Jesus H... I don't half go on. Better get some work done now I suppose :confused:

[doc]

Saw a live one at Thunderbike on the way back from the Monkey and it was sold already. I like em but think in a couple of years your gunna wonder where all the money went. Lots of plastic in the look.

[dipshit]

Not too sure about the flake and matt orange mix... What's up with that?

That's what struck me too. It looks like it is made out of Tupperware plastic.

Still, wouldn't mind owning one though.

[Fat Tony]

That's what struck me too. It looks like it is made out of Tupperware plastic.
It's bloody good Tupperware though :niceone:

[NZsarge]

I'd say that was a 'little optimistic'. KTM themselves reckon it's only good for another 3-4bhp.

Ah ok... a case of the dealer telling lies then..

[Fat Tony]

Ah ok... a case of the dealer telling lies then..
Maybe mate, it's only what I've read in the mags though - and we all know that they can spin a yarn as well as the dealer trying to sell you a bike/part. As I said I've not had mine on the dyno so no evidence either way

[NZsarge]

Maybe mate, it's only what I've read in the mags though - and we all know that they can spin a yarn as well as the dealer trying to sell you a bike/part. As I said I've not had mine on the dyno so no evidence either way

Yes this is true, he definitely said put an Akra on and gain 10hp so whatever, heh.. it's not like i'm ever gonna find out anyway. :(
I'm pretty happy with my bike anyways, 'bout as quick as I can get my head around and i'm damn sure I don't ride it near it's potential...
Be interesting to see what pops up if you do get it on a dyno sometime.

[Dazza]

Bloody good write up Fat Tony. Yes $8500 NZD for an exhaust is pretty bloody steep, but the salesman said he do me a deal for $5.5K, bloody good of him. Said salesman is in Austria @ the factory look @ lots of eyecandy. I told him to keep an eye out fot the Super Duke replacement & not the Venom then we can talk Turkey. By then the Super Duke will probably have 70,000k's on the clock,50,000k's in the 3yrs of owning her so far !:laugh:

[Fat Tony]

Bloody good write up Fat Tony
Cheers Dazza :niceone:

I got caught out in some seriously heavy storms last night. The bike performed extremely well through the muddy field that had spread over the road. Having had the day off work I'd spent the best part of it cleaning the bike :weep:

[Dazza]

Cheers Dazza :niceone:

I got caught out in some seriously heavy storms last night. The bike performed extremely well through the muddy field that had spread over the road. Having had the day off work I'd spent the best part of it cleaning the bike :weep:You can stop now, as I'm a tad envious, could've done with one yesterday,but hey it's amazing how a naked bike can still foot it with fully faired bikes :innocent:

[Scouse]

Just rode one today at the AMPS demo day this bike had the Akro zorst fitted fookin awsom machine makes the S3 feel like a under powered barge I need a RC8

[Dazza]

Just rode one today at the AMPS demo day this bike had the Akro zorst fitted fookin awsom machine makes the S3 feel like a under powered barge I need a RC8I understand the " I need one bit" :love:

[Fat Tony]

Hey down under, haven't been on the site for ages (because my wife's changed her mind about the move and I'm trying to forget the fact that I still want to :(). Hope you're all well.

Thought some of you might be interested in what I've been up to with the RC8 over (our) winter...

Some more in my photoset on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27086680@N06/sets/72157616041378961/) if you're interested.

Don't bother with the chicken strip comments... that Supercorsa was fitted 5 minutes before I stopped to take the photos... and it's a straight road :laugh:

[Dazza]

Hey down under, haven't been on the site for ages (because my wife's changed her mind about the move and I'm trying to forget the fact that I still want to :(). Hope you're all well.

Thought some of you might be interested in what I've been up to with the RC8 over (our) winter...

Some more in my photoset on flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27086680@N06/sets/72157616041378961/) if you're interested.

Don't bother with the chicken strip comments... that Supercorsa was fitted 5 minutes before I stopped to take the photos... and it's a straight road :laugh:Very cool & very jealous :shifty:contacted last week asking if I wanted an RC8R 4 May 2009, reply yes please if it's free, not a good time for me as baby due about that time :Punk: don't think the partner could handle the delivery of 2 new babies in the same week.My upgraded SuperDuke is only 7mths old as it is & now I've covered 15000k's on her.PM me please with your impressions so far of your fine beast :soon:

[Fat Tony]

Very cool & very jealous :shifty:contacted last week asking if I wanted an RC8R 4 May 2009, reply yes please if it's free, not a good time for me as baby due about that time :Punk: don't think the partner could handle the delivery of 2 new babies in the same week.My upgraded SuperDuke is only 7mths old as it is & now I've covered 15000k's on her.PM me please with your impressions so far of your fine beast :soon:

I'll find some time to write up my opinion at weekend for you mate... but in a nutshell: fecking awesome :niceone:

[Dazza]

I'll find some time to write up my opinion at weekend for you mate... but in a nutshell: fecking awesome :niceone:No pressure, when ever you get around to it,look forward to it. Been offered AMPS demo for 30k with Akrapovic fitted, would love to but ----! Having the Super Duke serviced this Monday but have decided to take the Buell 1125CR out for a squirt. Will get the salesman to fire up the RC8 for me though, I just don't want to ride it again as I know what will happen :confused:

[Gremlin]

Its a tad too loud, but dang, with the akrapovic it does send you rather weak at the knees...

I had to very firmly take hold of myself, and walk away... its the DEVILS WORK I TELLS YA!!! :laugh:

[7mmWSM]

So....Has anyone actually bought one yet. I've never seen one on the road apart from local shops demo bike.

[Dazza]

Its a tad too loud, but dang, with the akrapovic it does send you rather weak at the knees...

I had to very firmly take hold of myself, and walk away... its the DEVILS WORK I TELLS YA!!! :laugh:I couldn't do it to myself so didn't get Bruce to start it but did drool over it again.The Buell 1125CR wasn't ready for demo's so took the 1125 R/S ? out,dang, what an impressive motor, loved the way it hauled arse after 8000RPM :beer:

[boomer]

i saw 2 orange rc8's on teh way back from Welsford on Sunday....

they looked like his and hers matching ....