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15to24_NewWheels#04-ilovepdf-compressed

Audrey Woon
Audrey Woon

The document provides a review of the KTM RC8 superbike. It summarizes the changes made from the prototype to the production version, including engine modifications that increased displacement to 1148cc. Key details of the bike include its lightweight aluminum frame, adjustable suspension, and powerful braking components. Performance statistics are provided that show it is competitive with other liter-class superbikes. The review evaluates the bike's handling characteristics during a road test on tight, high-speed roads in Spain.

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Maestro Its not often that a superbike launch is as eagerly anticipated as this one, the launch of KTMs latest and greatest bike, the RC8. The prototype exhibited at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show was undoubtedly the star and the motorcycle world was waiting eagerly for the day when KTM would launch it. The day arrived when KTM announced RC8 production was imminent at the 2007 Milan Motor Show.The question was, would the prototype, exquisitely designed by Design Studio KISKA, come outinproductionformasaperfectrendition or would it be watered down as so many motorcycle prototypes before it were? And would it function as well as it looked? Were sorry to say that the prototype was changed. Not more than 5 or 6 engine parts were carriedoverfromtheprototype.Andtheswingarmwasaltered. The miniscule windshield? Bigger now.The cool analog/digital speedometer combo was junked. The funky side mounted external oil tank is now incorporated into the engine design. But worry not, bike fans. The prototype RC8 was changed for the better.And is it good? Read on... The Mattighofen www.msportbike.com 15New Wheels NewWheels#04.indd 15 5/21/08 10:07:03 AM
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS The LC8 engine,redefined and refined The LC8 engine is usually found in the Adventure, Supermoto and Super Duke as well as the prototype RC8 but for their first real production superbike, KTM went back to the drawing board. One motivating factor was the knowledge that the World Superbike Championship rules were to be amended to allow a 1200cc limit for twins.The other was the search for higher performance. To compete in the stratified atmosphere of high performance twin cylinder superbikes, KTM knew their goal: an ideal mixture of massive torque, spread over a wide rpm range. Thus, very few parts are shared between the old 990cc LC8 and the newer 1148cc LC8. The 6 speed lightweight dry sump powerplant only weighs 64 kgs and is equipped with an integrated oil tank,positioned forwards for weight distribution purposes. In addition, the positioning allows the deletion of external oil pipes and junctions. The ultraflat 103mm pistons stroke through 69mm on high strength conrods and the engine features twin countershafts to quell vibrations. The 8 valves are operated by twin camshafts through cam followers and feature prominently in KTMs search for linear power production. The other ingredient in KTMs recipe for power is the Keihin electronic injection system. The 52mm throttle bodies are completely enclosed inside the ram-air airbox, enabling the KTM designers to create both a slim profile and enough airbox volume for power. The electronics feature the CAN bus wiring system, simplifying maintenance and reducing weight. A significant feature of the 1148cc LC8 is the underslung exhaust system.The entire underside of the fairing allows significant volume for noise reduction and the location is favourable with regards to the RC8s centre of gravity.Of course,it also meets EURO III emissions specifications. Sohowmuchpoweryouask?TheKTMboasts a claimed 155hp at 10,000 rpm and 120 Nm of torque. As a comparison, the Ducati 1098 claims to produces 160bhp at 9,750 rpm and around 122Nm of torque. The Aprilia RSV1000R Factory slugs out 142hp at 10,000 rpm and 101Nm. The Katoom punches hard in its category, thats for sure. Weight is a different matter. KTM has concentrated hard at losing weight and it results in the RC8 weighing in below 200kg brimming with fuel.The 1098 claims 173kg but this is bone dry (no fluids whatsoever) and the RSV Factory is 185kg dry. www.msportbike.com New Wheels NewWheels#04.indd 16 5/21/08 10:09:52 AM
The Backbone of It All A simple latticework of differentially sized steel chromoly tubes make up the RC8s lightweight frame. It weighs in at only 7.5 kgs, lighter than many alloy deltabox frames.The frame is entirely manufactured in-house at Mattighofen, a fact they are proud to announce. The subframe is made from 7020 aluminium tubing. Also in lightweight aluminium is the utterly gorgeous swingarm. The prototype sported a fully machined-from-billet piece, which was stunning but obviously expensive to manufacture so the production version uses cast and sheet aluminium pieces. KTMs engineers settled on a wheelbase of 1430mm and set the rake angle at 66.7 degrees. If necessary, the rake angle can be adjusted and the ride height easily altered. Suspension duties are handled by KTMs long-serving partners, White Power. The front WP upside downers are 43mm in diameter and adjustable for spring preload (10mm), compression damping (32 clicks) and rebound damping (28 clicks). The rising rate linkage suspension system at the rear features a WP shockabsorber,alsoadjustableforspringpreload (infinitely adjustable), rebound and compression damping (28 clicks). The compression damping is adjustable for low and high speed damping as well. More importantly, all adjustments are easily accessible. More ride height? A simple large hexagon wrench will do the change quickly and easily via the eccentric mounted on the dogbone.Ingenious. The brakes are top-drawer Brembo components. Two 320mm floating discs and radial four-piston monoblock Brembo calipers with four separate pads handle the front end and a 220mm rear disc is squeezed by a two-piston Brembo caliper.A radial master cylinder does the business at your fingertips. There are no better brake components (unless you ride a MotoGP bike) for the RC8. Five spoke Marchesini light alloy rims in 3.50 x 17 and 6.00 x 17 sizes grace the RC8. Adjustments Galore TheergonomicswereseriouslyconsideredbyKTM rightfromthebeginningoftheRC8sdevelopment. The bike had to fit a large variety of rider heights and statures, so adjustability was built into the RC8.Thehandlebarsareheightadjustable and the footpegs have two height positions. The seat is also adjustable for more height,if necessary.As a matter of course, the clutch and brake levers are span adjustable. Even the rear brake and gear lever pedals are adjustable,length-wise. TheweightdistributionoftheRC8wassettled on 54 (front):46 (rear).This allows the rider to be more upright while maintaining a preferable front end weight bias. By being more upright, the rider would be able to move around on the bike easily.You may ask where the passenger pad and footrests are.The answer:Theyre an optional accessory.This is a serious weapon,my friend... www.msportbike.com NewWheels#04.indd 17 5/21/08 10:11:02 AM
No funny shenaniganson this one New Wheels www.msportbike.com NewWheels#04.indd 18 5/21/08 10:11:14 AM
Themultifunctiondisplayreplacesthetypical digital/analogue system used on other KTMs. The system is linked to the engine management system and other electrical systems via CAN bus technology.Thetypicalspeedometer,tachometer and other normal readouts like odometer, trip meters, engine temperature etc are all correct and present. However, KTM has thought it useful to have 2 modes: Road and Race where the display changes in each mode, accessed via a button on the handlebar. The Project Front-runners : The innovative KISKA Design Agencys (Led by Gerald Kiska alongside his team of eighty from ten different nations) role was to conceptionalise, detail and refine the RC8,a product with a compact engine aimed for a compact body,,while the overall design would have to incorporate racing sport culture in its proportions and handling putting the RC8 at the cutting edge of technology and rider pleasure. The RC8 on-road machine should be a true Supersport contender, designed to extend KTMs on-road market. KTMs credo has always been: Power, Light Weight and Clean Design, according to KTMs Design Chief Gerald Kiska. Cutting edge technology and eyecatching design must be inseparable. And in the RC8, KTM has embodied all their efforts to match their conviction. The question is:Are you Ready To Race? ROAD AND TRACK TEST Ronda-Ronda Kotaraya We opted for testing the RC8 on the roads around Ronda for the morning session (opting for the track in the evening). The route was roughly a 100 km loop of primary and secondary roads. From the map, it was hard to imagine what the roads were like but what we noticed from the trip up was that the roads wouldnt hesitate to bite hard should you make a mistake. There are practically no road shoulders to speak of, much less an emergency lane. But we were to find out just how bad the roads were.But what about the bike? It was obvious 20 clicks into the loop that KTMwantedustoreallytrythebikeout.Thetrunk roads on the loop were mostly two lane roads with tight turns as well as nice open sweepers. With the road shoulders absent, the one thing that struck us (not a good choice of words, Im sure) was the proximity of the Armco barriers. Steering accuracy was of paramount importance and the many dips and bumps needed good stability. Our KTM guide wasnt hanging around either. We reached speeds of around 180kmh even on these narrow roads with the myriad lorries and cars around. He was on a Super Duke (arguably a better mount on these roads) and we were struggling to keep up. He did overtake sensibly, though. Good man. Which brings us to the mirrors. Innovative mounting and with easy adjustability but vibrates at low rpms. The KTM was set up for the road, with Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas fitted, the pegs and seat set low and the steering rake set for stability. The suspension settings were on standard settings, not comfort settings. That much was felt, literally. The RC8 felt firm and tracked surefootedly through fast and slow speed sections,requiring little effort to initiate turn-ins. Once in the corner, the bike stayed neutral and stable. The stability was aided by the feedback felt through the handlebars, reassuring and confident. Important when you dont know the roads and your guide is leaving you for dead... oops, is that curve tightening? Press harder on the inside bar, and the RC8 willingly leans a bit more, even as a dab of front brake is applied.No funny shenanigans coming from the rear, too. Talking about the brakes, typical monoblock Brembo feel and power was available for those dreaded hairpins and easily modulated they are too (otherwise Id be writing from the ICU in a Spanish hospital). Bumpity Bump The guide turns into a narrow junction: whats this? A one track road appears and we gas it up a steep hill. Over the rise (with the guide disappearing over it) the road turns hard right. Oh, and it isnt a one track road, theres a taxi coming doing his best Carlos Sainz impersonation. Dab the brakes hard and aim for a one foot wide strip of broken tarmac at the apex on the right side (they drive on the wrong side here). Made it with a few inches to spare and vow to keep the speeds within our (admittedly low) limits. The roads start breaking up from here but the guide isnt letting up. Were not about to get hopelessly lost in Ronda so try our best to keep up. The sparse traffic allows us to close up and we climb up and down over the hills and dales surrounding this beautiful landscape. It really is fairytale scenery but theres no time for sightseeing.Theres another short uphill straight and we again start gassing hard as the coast appears to be clear. Hard on it, we hit a series of sharp edged bumps and the suspension actually bottoms out, hard. The RC8 stays impeccably stable throughout all this with the rider remaining a stunned passenger throughout the Wolfgang Felber, Project Leader I am so gonna be friend with you Herr Gerald Kiska (standing left) www.msportbike.com 19New Wheels NewWheels#04.indd 19 5/21/08 10:11:40 AM
three or four hard bottomings. At our rest stop, we checked the WP steering damper: it was on the minimum setting. Very impressive stability under duress and luckily on the standard settings the suspension still recovered well enough to deal with subsequent hard jolts. Comfort-wise, the RC8 is no Gold Wing. But it was comfortable enough on the 100+ km loop and those atrocious roads. The riding position is roomy and the controls fall easily to hand.Except that is, for thatLapbutton on the left handlebar that kept getting mistaken for the horn button. The miniscule windshield however is too small for high speeds unless you tuck in tight.Well,it is a track focused bike,after all. Ascari Race Resort Chicanes and Trees Full throttle down the short pit straight, past the pit wall on your right at about 190 kmh, then hard on the brakes while downshifting for the extremely tight 2nd gear chicane. Ignore the rear wheel chirping or else youll miss the apex.Jump over the small curbs right then left, then hard on the throttle up a fairly steep hill.The RC8 kicks at the rear a little if you take too much curb. Shift to 3rd , then drift right for Turn 3 and aim for the unseen apex after a quick dab of the brakes.Turn 3 is a downhill, slightly negative camber turn so keep the gas on slightly to transfer weight to the rear.You really dont want to lose the front here. The RC8 is unruffled even if you enter a tad too fast and have to ease off the throttle slightly. Bike now slightly upright into Turn 4, hard on the gas drifting right towards Turns 5 and 6; a left/right complex. Ease off the throttle and dab the brakes lightly.Late apex the first left and hard over to the right just at the right time. Too early and the high concrete apex will eat your boots and footrest.The RC8 turns in fast with moderate countersteer effort here. Hard now on the throttle at the apex, ease the RC8 to the left side while shifting up 2 gears and try to look through the trees for Turn 8.Turn 7, a right turn, is a blur if you are committed but you need to be emerging on the extreme left for Turn 7.Get it wrong and drifting too wide will see you on the extra bit of tarmac specially designed for this very reason.Turn 7 is tight and turning in on the brakes reveals the RC8 will tolerate trail braking at the expense of a bit of effort.Front end feel and feedback is excellent, almost legendary ZX7R status here. Wish you were here! Familiar view a thousand times over. All journalists shared the same spot i guess... www.msportbike.com 20 New Wheels NewWheels#04.indd 20 5/21/08 10:12:27 AM
Flat Torque Curve and Small Digits More than once the sheer concentration (or our ineptitude) leaves us in 3rd gear but the RC8 drives out of Turn 7 pretty quickly anyway. Its not fussy about gears and that flat torque curve no doubt helps. Turn 8 is entered almost blind and drops away from the bike into a steeply banked bowl. The RC8s suspension squats as you ride the banking but the RC8 stays planted. Sway left and stay on the throttle for Turn 9, late apex Turn 10 and pull hard on the brakes for Turn 11. Its imperative to hit the throttle early to get good drive into the straight. It will pay dividends into Turn 15 later. The RC8 wags it head as you hit full throttle but it doesnt try to pull a wheelie. The 54:46 weight distribution helps here. Chop the throttle to help the bike turn into Turn 12 and again into Turn 14. Turn 13 is flat out at high revs but the thing is we cant really see the tiny digits on the display; the speedo is clear enough but we need to guess the rpms (8,000 rpm torque peak is a bit past the mid-part of the rpm display) and we usually rely on the rev limiter light to shift up since it revs quickly anyway. Turn 15 looms; Brake hard again while trying to keep the bike from drifting too far left. Stability on the brakes is great. The Brembo monoblocks are trying to break your arms while you shed gears from about 220+ kmh to about 80 kmh. The steeper steering geometry makes the bike quick for...another chicane. Straightline this one (Turns 15 & 16) as much as you can and drop the bike into the cambered Turn 17. Again, the RC8 squats as you input more gears and throttle but the suspension (still on standard settings, incredibly) takes it in stride. The slight hillock shields Turn 18 from your sight but keep left and hope you turned in correctly to position yourself for Turn 19. Shift down 1 gear and haul on the brakes while turning in. The footrests graze Ascari tarmac at the apex even though they have been positioned higher. Gas it out of Turn 19, slam in third gear and down the hill for Turn 20 and up another gear to the tricky Turn 21. It starts tight but opens out into a cambered turn. How much throttle to apply? Your indecision makes the RC8 buck slightly as the snatchy injection system tries to make sense of your indecisive right wrist movements. Be smooth and roll it on to Turn 22, a right bitch because the apex is on the downhill slope. Undulations and Fast Sweepers Drop into 3rd and try to keep the front wheel gripping by applying more throttle at the apex and down the hill. Oops, the rear wheel is losing it instead but the RC8 is a stable platform and shrugs it off.Its a rollercoaster ride down to Turn 23 but try and keep the gas on while you eye the exit. Twist that throttle, over the big undulation that has the bike feeling floaty and before that flighty sensation leaves you,its time to lean hard right to the fastest corner,Turn 24.The RC8 goads you to apply more and more throttle. The guys watching from pitlane will know if you were on it if the RC8 is wailing hard... Thats a 2:26 lap of Ascari circuit. Jeremy McWilliams did a 2:20.Argh! Lets go out again... Orange or White? What is apparent from the start is that, for a dirt-bike company, KTM has built a stonking superbike. To get it so right from the beginning is a big achievement for the staff of the Austrian company. However, it is really not that surprising if you consider the bikes that have emerged from Mattighofen:the SuperMoto,the SuperDuke and Adventure are definitely right up there in their respective categories. I personally LOVE the place.If they put Carcosa Seri Negara smack in the middle of Sepang Turn 15 gravel trap it would come close... www.msportbike.com 21New Wheels NewWheels#04.indd 21 5/21/08 10:13:02 AM
New Wheels www.msportbike.com NewWheels#04.indd 22 5/21/08 10:14:17 AM
There were some issues to be addressed, notably the snatchy injection and slightly notchy gearbox, but we were informed that the test bikes were pre-production units and the production units will be better. Other aspects, like the Lap button and mirrors are quite easily adaptable to once the owner is familiar with the bike. We love the engine; the way the torque keeps building even past the peak (8,000 rpm) to the redline.The handling is also a high point, the WP suspension keeps everything planted and the front end feel and feedback rivals the best the Japanese (or Italians) can offer. The origami folded-paper styling is unconventional but inoffensive. Some may even say it is pretty but no doubt its a fresh take on how a superbike looks.The exhaust note is superb but a bit too muted. We couldnt hear the others sneaking up behind. Open that Akrapovic box,please,Mathias... The RC8 comes in Orange/Black or White/ Black. Price is due to be released but get on the phone to Planet Cycle to get yours. We dont mind either colour for our long-term test unit, sir.Ahem... The RC8 is due to take part in the European SuperStock Championships and will no doubt tweak some noses out of joint. After 2 years, K T M is eyeing the World Superbike Championship. We cant wait for the 1199cc RC8-R WSB homologation replica... www.msportbike.com NewWheels#04.indd 23 5/21/08 10:15:19 AM
Engine : Engine Type: 75 degree V twin, liquid cooled,8 valve,4 stroke Displacement: 1148 cc Bore and Stroke: 103 x 69 mm Compression ratio: 12.5:1 Starter: Electric Transmission: 6 speed Fuel System: Keihin EFI Ignition System: Keihin EMS Lubrication: 2 Eaton oil pumps Primary Drive Ratio: 40:76 Final Drive Ratio: 17:32 Clutch: Wet multi plate,hydraulic actuation Power: 155 hp @ 10,000 rpm Torque: 120 Nm @ 8,000 rpm Chassis : Frame/Subframe: Chrome Molybdenum Steel Trellis/Aluminium Front Suspension: 43 mm White Power USD Forks,120 mm stroke Rear Suspension: White Power Monoshock,125 mm stroke Front Brake: 2 x 320 mm brake disc,2 x Brembo four piston radial mount caliper Rear Brake: 220 mm brake disc, Brembo 2 piston caliper Wheelbase: 1430 mm Ground clearance: 110 mm Seat Height: 805/825 mm Fuel Capacity: 16.5 litres/3.5 litre reserve Weight: 188 kg (without fuel) KTM rc8 Specifications Enquiries : 4S Centre : Bikeart 57 Jln PJS 11/7 Bandar Sunway Industrial Park,46150 Subang Jaya,Selangor.Tel:03-5635 0253 Fax:03-5635 0540 Dealer : Klang Valley -The Scooter Shop Sdn.Bhd.No 2,Lintang Gelugor,Off Persiaran Sultan Ibrahim 41300 Klang,Selangor.Tel:03-3342 9684 Penang - Planet Cycle Shop,555 Jln Mesjid Negeri,11600 Penang.Tel :04-655 3435,Planet Cycle Superbike Centre Sdn.Bhd. No 10 Grd Floor, Jalan Perai 3,Bandar Prai Jaya,13600 Sbr Perai.Tel:04-380 1800,380 1802 24 New Wheels www.msportbike.com NewWheels#04.indd 24 5/21/08 10:17:28 AM

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15to24_NewWheels#04-ilovepdf-compressed

  • 1. Maestro Its not often that a superbike launch is as eagerly anticipated as this one, the launch of KTMs latest and greatest bike, the RC8. The prototype exhibited at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show was undoubtedly the star and the motorcycle world was waiting eagerly for the day when KTM would launch it. The day arrived when KTM announced RC8 production was imminent at the 2007 Milan Motor Show.The question was, would the prototype, exquisitely designed by Design Studio KISKA, come outinproductionformasaperfectrendition or would it be watered down as so many motorcycle prototypes before it were? And would it function as well as it looked? Were sorry to say that the prototype was changed. Not more than 5 or 6 engine parts were carriedoverfromtheprototype.Andtheswingarmwasaltered. The miniscule windshield? Bigger now.The cool analog/digital speedometer combo was junked. The funky side mounted external oil tank is now incorporated into the engine design. But worry not, bike fans. The prototype RC8 was changed for the better.And is it good? Read on... The Mattighofen www.msportbike.com 15New Wheels NewWheels#04.indd 15 5/21/08 10:07:03 AM
  • 2. TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS The LC8 engine,redefined and refined The LC8 engine is usually found in the Adventure, Supermoto and Super Duke as well as the prototype RC8 but for their first real production superbike, KTM went back to the drawing board. One motivating factor was the knowledge that the World Superbike Championship rules were to be amended to allow a 1200cc limit for twins.The other was the search for higher performance. To compete in the stratified atmosphere of high performance twin cylinder superbikes, KTM knew their goal: an ideal mixture of massive torque, spread over a wide rpm range. Thus, very few parts are shared between the old 990cc LC8 and the newer 1148cc LC8. The 6 speed lightweight dry sump powerplant only weighs 64 kgs and is equipped with an integrated oil tank,positioned forwards for weight distribution purposes. In addition, the positioning allows the deletion of external oil pipes and junctions. The ultraflat 103mm pistons stroke through 69mm on high strength conrods and the engine features twin countershafts to quell vibrations. The 8 valves are operated by twin camshafts through cam followers and feature prominently in KTMs search for linear power production. The other ingredient in KTMs recipe for power is the Keihin electronic injection system. The 52mm throttle bodies are completely enclosed inside the ram-air airbox, enabling the KTM designers to create both a slim profile and enough airbox volume for power. The electronics feature the CAN bus wiring system, simplifying maintenance and reducing weight. A significant feature of the 1148cc LC8 is the underslung exhaust system.The entire underside of the fairing allows significant volume for noise reduction and the location is favourable with regards to the RC8s centre of gravity.Of course,it also meets EURO III emissions specifications. Sohowmuchpoweryouask?TheKTMboasts a claimed 155hp at 10,000 rpm and 120 Nm of torque. As a comparison, the Ducati 1098 claims to produces 160bhp at 9,750 rpm and around 122Nm of torque. The Aprilia RSV1000R Factory slugs out 142hp at 10,000 rpm and 101Nm. The Katoom punches hard in its category, thats for sure. Weight is a different matter. KTM has concentrated hard at losing weight and it results in the RC8 weighing in below 200kg brimming with fuel.The 1098 claims 173kg but this is bone dry (no fluids whatsoever) and the RSV Factory is 185kg dry. www.msportbike.com New Wheels NewWheels#04.indd 16 5/21/08 10:09:52 AM
  • 3. The Backbone of It All A simple latticework of differentially sized steel chromoly tubes make up the RC8s lightweight frame. It weighs in at only 7.5 kgs, lighter than many alloy deltabox frames.The frame is entirely manufactured in-house at Mattighofen, a fact they are proud to announce. The subframe is made from 7020 aluminium tubing. Also in lightweight aluminium is the utterly gorgeous swingarm. The prototype sported a fully machined-from-billet piece, which was stunning but obviously expensive to manufacture so the production version uses cast and sheet aluminium pieces. KTMs engineers settled on a wheelbase of 1430mm and set the rake angle at 66.7 degrees. If necessary, the rake angle can be adjusted and the ride height easily altered. Suspension duties are handled by KTMs long-serving partners, White Power. The front WP upside downers are 43mm in diameter and adjustable for spring preload (10mm), compression damping (32 clicks) and rebound damping (28 clicks). The rising rate linkage suspension system at the rear features a WP shockabsorber,alsoadjustableforspringpreload (infinitely adjustable), rebound and compression damping (28 clicks). The compression damping is adjustable for low and high speed damping as well. More importantly, all adjustments are easily accessible. More ride height? A simple large hexagon wrench will do the change quickly and easily via the eccentric mounted on the dogbone.Ingenious. The brakes are top-drawer Brembo components. Two 320mm floating discs and radial four-piston monoblock Brembo calipers with four separate pads handle the front end and a 220mm rear disc is squeezed by a two-piston Brembo caliper.A radial master cylinder does the business at your fingertips. There are no better brake components (unless you ride a MotoGP bike) for the RC8. Five spoke Marchesini light alloy rims in 3.50 x 17 and 6.00 x 17 sizes grace the RC8. Adjustments Galore TheergonomicswereseriouslyconsideredbyKTM rightfromthebeginningoftheRC8sdevelopment. The bike had to fit a large variety of rider heights and statures, so adjustability was built into the RC8.Thehandlebarsareheightadjustable and the footpegs have two height positions. The seat is also adjustable for more height,if necessary.As a matter of course, the clutch and brake levers are span adjustable. Even the rear brake and gear lever pedals are adjustable,length-wise. TheweightdistributionoftheRC8wassettled on 54 (front):46 (rear).This allows the rider to be more upright while maintaining a preferable front end weight bias. By being more upright, the rider would be able to move around on the bike easily.You may ask where the passenger pad and footrests are.The answer:Theyre an optional accessory.This is a serious weapon,my friend... www.msportbike.com NewWheels#04.indd 17 5/21/08 10:11:02 AM
  • 4. No funny shenaniganson this one New Wheels www.msportbike.com NewWheels#04.indd 18 5/21/08 10:11:14 AM
  • 5. Themultifunctiondisplayreplacesthetypical digital/analogue system used on other KTMs. The system is linked to the engine management system and other electrical systems via CAN bus technology.Thetypicalspeedometer,tachometer and other normal readouts like odometer, trip meters, engine temperature etc are all correct and present. However, KTM has thought it useful to have 2 modes: Road and Race where the display changes in each mode, accessed via a button on the handlebar. The Project Front-runners : The innovative KISKA Design Agencys (Led by Gerald Kiska alongside his team of eighty from ten different nations) role was to conceptionalise, detail and refine the RC8,a product with a compact engine aimed for a compact body,,while the overall design would have to incorporate racing sport culture in its proportions and handling putting the RC8 at the cutting edge of technology and rider pleasure. The RC8 on-road machine should be a true Supersport contender, designed to extend KTMs on-road market. KTMs credo has always been: Power, Light Weight and Clean Design, according to KTMs Design Chief Gerald Kiska. Cutting edge technology and eyecatching design must be inseparable. And in the RC8, KTM has embodied all their efforts to match their conviction. The question is:Are you Ready To Race? ROAD AND TRACK TEST Ronda-Ronda Kotaraya We opted for testing the RC8 on the roads around Ronda for the morning session (opting for the track in the evening). The route was roughly a 100 km loop of primary and secondary roads. From the map, it was hard to imagine what the roads were like but what we noticed from the trip up was that the roads wouldnt hesitate to bite hard should you make a mistake. There are practically no road shoulders to speak of, much less an emergency lane. But we were to find out just how bad the roads were.But what about the bike? It was obvious 20 clicks into the loop that KTMwantedustoreallytrythebikeout.Thetrunk roads on the loop were mostly two lane roads with tight turns as well as nice open sweepers. With the road shoulders absent, the one thing that struck us (not a good choice of words, Im sure) was the proximity of the Armco barriers. Steering accuracy was of paramount importance and the many dips and bumps needed good stability. Our KTM guide wasnt hanging around either. We reached speeds of around 180kmh even on these narrow roads with the myriad lorries and cars around. He was on a Super Duke (arguably a better mount on these roads) and we were struggling to keep up. He did overtake sensibly, though. Good man. Which brings us to the mirrors. Innovative mounting and with easy adjustability but vibrates at low rpms. The KTM was set up for the road, with Pirelli Dragon Supercorsas fitted, the pegs and seat set low and the steering rake set for stability. The suspension settings were on standard settings, not comfort settings. That much was felt, literally. The RC8 felt firm and tracked surefootedly through fast and slow speed sections,requiring little effort to initiate turn-ins. Once in the corner, the bike stayed neutral and stable. The stability was aided by the feedback felt through the handlebars, reassuring and confident. Important when you dont know the roads and your guide is leaving you for dead... oops, is that curve tightening? Press harder on the inside bar, and the RC8 willingly leans a bit more, even as a dab of front brake is applied.No funny shenanigans coming from the rear, too. Talking about the brakes, typical monoblock Brembo feel and power was available for those dreaded hairpins and easily modulated they are too (otherwise Id be writing from the ICU in a Spanish hospital). Bumpity Bump The guide turns into a narrow junction: whats this? A one track road appears and we gas it up a steep hill. Over the rise (with the guide disappearing over it) the road turns hard right. Oh, and it isnt a one track road, theres a taxi coming doing his best Carlos Sainz impersonation. Dab the brakes hard and aim for a one foot wide strip of broken tarmac at the apex on the right side (they drive on the wrong side here). Made it with a few inches to spare and vow to keep the speeds within our (admittedly low) limits. The roads start breaking up from here but the guide isnt letting up. Were not about to get hopelessly lost in Ronda so try our best to keep up. The sparse traffic allows us to close up and we climb up and down over the hills and dales surrounding this beautiful landscape. It really is fairytale scenery but theres no time for sightseeing.Theres another short uphill straight and we again start gassing hard as the coast appears to be clear. Hard on it, we hit a series of sharp edged bumps and the suspension actually bottoms out, hard. The RC8 stays impeccably stable throughout all this with the rider remaining a stunned passenger throughout the Wolfgang Felber, Project Leader I am so gonna be friend with you Herr Gerald Kiska (standing left) www.msportbike.com 19New Wheels NewWheels#04.indd 19 5/21/08 10:11:40 AM
  • 6. three or four hard bottomings. At our rest stop, we checked the WP steering damper: it was on the minimum setting. Very impressive stability under duress and luckily on the standard settings the suspension still recovered well enough to deal with subsequent hard jolts. Comfort-wise, the RC8 is no Gold Wing. But it was comfortable enough on the 100+ km loop and those atrocious roads. The riding position is roomy and the controls fall easily to hand.Except that is, for thatLapbutton on the left handlebar that kept getting mistaken for the horn button. The miniscule windshield however is too small for high speeds unless you tuck in tight.Well,it is a track focused bike,after all. Ascari Race Resort Chicanes and Trees Full throttle down the short pit straight, past the pit wall on your right at about 190 kmh, then hard on the brakes while downshifting for the extremely tight 2nd gear chicane. Ignore the rear wheel chirping or else youll miss the apex.Jump over the small curbs right then left, then hard on the throttle up a fairly steep hill.The RC8 kicks at the rear a little if you take too much curb. Shift to 3rd , then drift right for Turn 3 and aim for the unseen apex after a quick dab of the brakes.Turn 3 is a downhill, slightly negative camber turn so keep the gas on slightly to transfer weight to the rear.You really dont want to lose the front here. The RC8 is unruffled even if you enter a tad too fast and have to ease off the throttle slightly. Bike now slightly upright into Turn 4, hard on the gas drifting right towards Turns 5 and 6; a left/right complex. Ease off the throttle and dab the brakes lightly.Late apex the first left and hard over to the right just at the right time. Too early and the high concrete apex will eat your boots and footrest.The RC8 turns in fast with moderate countersteer effort here. Hard now on the throttle at the apex, ease the RC8 to the left side while shifting up 2 gears and try to look through the trees for Turn 8.Turn 7, a right turn, is a blur if you are committed but you need to be emerging on the extreme left for Turn 7.Get it wrong and drifting too wide will see you on the extra bit of tarmac specially designed for this very reason.Turn 7 is tight and turning in on the brakes reveals the RC8 will tolerate trail braking at the expense of a bit of effort.Front end feel and feedback is excellent, almost legendary ZX7R status here. Wish you were here! Familiar view a thousand times over. All journalists shared the same spot i guess... www.msportbike.com 20 New Wheels NewWheels#04.indd 20 5/21/08 10:12:27 AM
  • 7. Flat Torque Curve and Small Digits More than once the sheer concentration (or our ineptitude) leaves us in 3rd gear but the RC8 drives out of Turn 7 pretty quickly anyway. Its not fussy about gears and that flat torque curve no doubt helps. Turn 8 is entered almost blind and drops away from the bike into a steeply banked bowl. The RC8s suspension squats as you ride the banking but the RC8 stays planted. Sway left and stay on the throttle for Turn 9, late apex Turn 10 and pull hard on the brakes for Turn 11. Its imperative to hit the throttle early to get good drive into the straight. It will pay dividends into Turn 15 later. The RC8 wags it head as you hit full throttle but it doesnt try to pull a wheelie. The 54:46 weight distribution helps here. Chop the throttle to help the bike turn into Turn 12 and again into Turn 14. Turn 13 is flat out at high revs but the thing is we cant really see the tiny digits on the display; the speedo is clear enough but we need to guess the rpms (8,000 rpm torque peak is a bit past the mid-part of the rpm display) and we usually rely on the rev limiter light to shift up since it revs quickly anyway. Turn 15 looms; Brake hard again while trying to keep the bike from drifting too far left. Stability on the brakes is great. The Brembo monoblocks are trying to break your arms while you shed gears from about 220+ kmh to about 80 kmh. The steeper steering geometry makes the bike quick for...another chicane. Straightline this one (Turns 15 & 16) as much as you can and drop the bike into the cambered Turn 17. Again, the RC8 squats as you input more gears and throttle but the suspension (still on standard settings, incredibly) takes it in stride. The slight hillock shields Turn 18 from your sight but keep left and hope you turned in correctly to position yourself for Turn 19. Shift down 1 gear and haul on the brakes while turning in. The footrests graze Ascari tarmac at the apex even though they have been positioned higher. Gas it out of Turn 19, slam in third gear and down the hill for Turn 20 and up another gear to the tricky Turn 21. It starts tight but opens out into a cambered turn. How much throttle to apply? Your indecision makes the RC8 buck slightly as the snatchy injection system tries to make sense of your indecisive right wrist movements. Be smooth and roll it on to Turn 22, a right bitch because the apex is on the downhill slope. Undulations and Fast Sweepers Drop into 3rd and try to keep the front wheel gripping by applying more throttle at the apex and down the hill. Oops, the rear wheel is losing it instead but the RC8 is a stable platform and shrugs it off.Its a rollercoaster ride down to Turn 23 but try and keep the gas on while you eye the exit. Twist that throttle, over the big undulation that has the bike feeling floaty and before that flighty sensation leaves you,its time to lean hard right to the fastest corner,Turn 24.The RC8 goads you to apply more and more throttle. The guys watching from pitlane will know if you were on it if the RC8 is wailing hard... Thats a 2:26 lap of Ascari circuit. Jeremy McWilliams did a 2:20.Argh! Lets go out again... Orange or White? What is apparent from the start is that, for a dirt-bike company, KTM has built a stonking superbike. To get it so right from the beginning is a big achievement for the staff of the Austrian company. However, it is really not that surprising if you consider the bikes that have emerged from Mattighofen:the SuperMoto,the SuperDuke and Adventure are definitely right up there in their respective categories. I personally LOVE the place.If they put Carcosa Seri Negara smack in the middle of Sepang Turn 15 gravel trap it would come close... www.msportbike.com 21New Wheels NewWheels#04.indd 21 5/21/08 10:13:02 AM
  • 9. There were some issues to be addressed, notably the snatchy injection and slightly notchy gearbox, but we were informed that the test bikes were pre-production units and the production units will be better. Other aspects, like the Lap button and mirrors are quite easily adaptable to once the owner is familiar with the bike. We love the engine; the way the torque keeps building even past the peak (8,000 rpm) to the redline.The handling is also a high point, the WP suspension keeps everything planted and the front end feel and feedback rivals the best the Japanese (or Italians) can offer. The origami folded-paper styling is unconventional but inoffensive. Some may even say it is pretty but no doubt its a fresh take on how a superbike looks.The exhaust note is superb but a bit too muted. We couldnt hear the others sneaking up behind. Open that Akrapovic box,please,Mathias... The RC8 comes in Orange/Black or White/ Black. Price is due to be released but get on the phone to Planet Cycle to get yours. We dont mind either colour for our long-term test unit, sir.Ahem... The RC8 is due to take part in the European SuperStock Championships and will no doubt tweak some noses out of joint. After 2 years, K T M is eyeing the World Superbike Championship. We cant wait for the 1199cc RC8-R WSB homologation replica... www.msportbike.com NewWheels#04.indd 23 5/21/08 10:15:19 AM
  • 10. Engine : Engine Type: 75 degree V twin, liquid cooled,8 valve,4 stroke Displacement: 1148 cc Bore and Stroke: 103 x 69 mm Compression ratio: 12.5:1 Starter: Electric Transmission: 6 speed Fuel System: Keihin EFI Ignition System: Keihin EMS Lubrication: 2 Eaton oil pumps Primary Drive Ratio: 40:76 Final Drive Ratio: 17:32 Clutch: Wet multi plate,hydraulic actuation Power: 155 hp @ 10,000 rpm Torque: 120 Nm @ 8,000 rpm Chassis : Frame/Subframe: Chrome Molybdenum Steel Trellis/Aluminium Front Suspension: 43 mm White Power USD Forks,120 mm stroke Rear Suspension: White Power Monoshock,125 mm stroke Front Brake: 2 x 320 mm brake disc,2 x Brembo four piston radial mount caliper Rear Brake: 220 mm brake disc, Brembo 2 piston caliper Wheelbase: 1430 mm Ground clearance: 110 mm Seat Height: 805/825 mm Fuel Capacity: 16.5 litres/3.5 litre reserve Weight: 188 kg (without fuel) KTM rc8 Specifications Enquiries : 4S Centre : Bikeart 57 Jln PJS 11/7 Bandar Sunway Industrial Park,46150 Subang Jaya,Selangor.Tel:03-5635 0253 Fax:03-5635 0540 Dealer : Klang Valley -The Scooter Shop Sdn.Bhd.No 2,Lintang Gelugor,Off Persiaran Sultan Ibrahim 41300 Klang,Selangor.Tel:03-3342 9684 Penang - Planet Cycle Shop,555 Jln Mesjid Negeri,11600 Penang.Tel :04-655 3435,Planet Cycle Superbike Centre Sdn.Bhd. No 10 Grd Floor, Jalan Perai 3,Bandar Prai Jaya,13600 Sbr Perai.Tel:04-380 1800,380 1802 24 New Wheels www.msportbike.com NewWheels#04.indd 24 5/21/08 10:17:28 AM