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KTM RC8
The All New KTM Superbike
KTM RC8, taking the Superbike World by Storm, the RC8 and RC8R from KTM Motorcycles.
from Motorcyclist
"The single biggest improvement on the KTM RC8 R, however, is the significant extra drive out of turns. Power delivery remains exceptionally linear, pulling hard from as low as 4000 revs right up to the 10,700-rpm limiter without any steps or dips between. Aided by excellent traction from the Pirelli Diablo Supercorsas, this is a thrilling bike to ride hard. At the same time, it's a hyper-controllable bike, too. The KTM isn't as wheelie-prone as other big twins (read: Ducatis), and the ECU is ideally mapped; gone is the RC8's somewhat harsh pickup at low revs."
visit MCN "WP suspension as a product doesn’t have the brand name and desirability of Ohlins when really it should have – the suspension on the RC8R is belting. Marchesini forged wheels are par for the course on a grade-A superbike as are the Brembo Monobloc race-spec brakes. But its other areas that will tickle your fancy: adjustable footrests, levers, handlebars, subframe position and rear ride height are all there and easy to achieve."
visit motorcycle.com "KTM claims 170 horsepower at 10,250 rpm which should have been enough to stay a little closer to the mighty Kawasaki ZX-10R down the straight. But it’s left for dead after three gears when I suspect the efficient Kawasaki Ram-air system really starts counting in, adding another 12 horsepower for a claimed total of 200 horsepower. The Honda CBR1000RR and Suzuki GSX-R1000 beat the RC8 R too. Perhaps the Kawasaki claimed figures are closer to the reality than KTM’s but only a Dyno bench could prove it."
visit Ashonbikes "Then there’s the styling: penned by the Austrian Kiska Design company, as are most other KTMs, it’s radical, angular, aggressive and unmistakably KTM, even in the white colour option rather than the signature KTM orange. It’s not classically good looking in the way of Ducati’s 1098/1198, although against that the Italian bike is rather derivative, if undeniably attractive and classy too. But the KTM is certainly arresting and well balanced visually."
visit AMA "they aim the RC8 at the heart of the performance V-twin sportbike market that, until now, has been the territory of Ducati, Aprilia and Buell. And all you have to do is see the bike in person -- or better, climb aboard, thumb the starter and point the big Katoom at the racetrack -- to realize that the RC8 is no copycat."
visit OWD "You could send the KTM RC8 to the far future and it would still look contemporary. Here in the present it is devastating. Grown men slam into doors gawking as they walk by. Twenty-somethings collect, drooling enough that passers by are in danger of slipping or drowning. This is how lawsuits start. But you don’t care, because you don’t buy a bike like this to be a subtle wallflower, if you wanted to blend you’d ride a Gixxer."
Cool motorcycle? Have Your Say........
What do YOU think of this motorcycle? Do you love it or have they got it all wrong? If so, why?
Maybe you've seen it, ridden it, or, even better, you own one and have lived with it for a while.
Share your opinions, tell readers about the good, the bad, your likes and dislikes. Share your story and even upload a few pics of you and your motorcycle.
Go on, don't be shy! After all, I've never met a biker without an opinion or one who hasn't been proud to show off their motorbike given half a chance!
The RC8 is a welcome addition to the superbike stable, but check these out as well:
Aprilia RSV4
BMW HP2 Sport
Benelli Tornado
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return from ktm rc8 to motorcycle reviews
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