CLOSE TO THE MARK
The bike KTM should have built in the first place…
Knowing how to pitch a new bike is a nightmare for a manufacturer as they are forced to look so far into the future. If you build a brand new machine you don’t want it to become obsolete within a few years, as that’s a hell of a lot of R&D cash pissed up the wall. But, by the same token, you don’t want it to be behind the game on its launch either. So what’s the answer? To be honest the only ploy is to study your competition and react to what they have, ideally upping the stakes very slightly, while building in room for development as the years pass. Sadly for KTM, when they released their RC8 in 2008 the competition consisted of Ducati – and they had just unveiled the stunning 1098 and it was too late to upgrade the RC8’s spec. In reality this was the beginning of the end for the RC8 as it started its life on the back foot and never really recovered. And the really sad part was that in the form of the RC8 R, the Austrian firm had the weaponry they needed to take on Ducati just waiting in the wings…
Launched a year after the RC8, the R version came with the much-needed (and still within WSB’s rules) bigger capacity V-twin motor. Pumping out a claimed 168bhp, which was on paper only 13bhp more than the RC8, but in reality considerably more, the R version also featured improved suspension and brakes. This made it far more of a match for the 1098, although by now the 1098 was the 1198 and KTM were once again on the back foot
not only in terms of power, but also the new wave of electronic assists such as traction control. And that’s how the RC8 R’s life continued until it was dropped from production in 2016 as KTM abandoned WSB and went in search of MotoGP glory instead. When KTM improved the RC8, Ducati moved the goal posts with a major step forward in V-twin technology that culminated with the staggering 1299 Panigale. However, while on this basis the RC8 R may sound like a failure, when you ride one you will understand that KTM were actually on to something, they just got their timings wrong.
Featuring typically bold styling by Kiska (who do most of KTM’s models), the RC8 R remains a great-looking machine. Angular and sharp with a beautifully kicked-up rear end, the RC8 is far from the identikit sportsbike that so many have merged into and is a real head-turner. Even more so if it has the truly deafening Akrapovic race exhaust fitted! But as well as looking cool, the KTM performs where it matters most.
In an age of 200bhp now being the performance target, a V-twin with around 160bhp at the rear may sound a little below par. But this peak power figure doesn’t take into account the near 117Nm of torque backing it up and that’s what makes the difference on the RC8 R. Crack the throttle open and an RC8 R drives with real ferocity thanks to this torque, and powers out of bends with serious determination.
It’s far from a slow bike and has a lovely sense of urgency in its 75-degree V-twin that Ducati’s traditionally lazy-feeling 90-degree twin lacks. And the chassis is also incredibly impressive.
Aim the RC8 R at an apex and it slams on its side with glee. The angular tank allows you to hook a knee under it for grip and despite an initial slightly top-heavy feeling, the RC8 R is remarkably settled and agile once leant over. Set up properly, which is no issue as the WP suspension is very high quality, the RC8 R makes a wonderful track bike, and its Brembo brakes are also more than up to the job. But unlike a Ducati, the RC8 R is equally at home on the road.
Big, roomy, and far from cramped, the RC8 R is a delightful road sportsbike. Filled with neat touches such as the ability to tweak its riding position, you get the feeling its designers actually rode bikes, rather than just drew pictures of them looking beautiful and ignored the fact that they would be cripplingly uncomfortable for the owners to ride through traffic! And this is why the KTM remains such an appealing superbike.
If you want a machine that has bags of spirit, a cracking exhaust note, a serious stack of performance and a slightly unique look, try an RC8 R out for size. A million times better than the lacklustre stock RC8, the RC8 R shows you the potential this project had for KTM. And it also makes you wonder what could have been if only they hadn’t pulled their punches when they first unveiled the bike…
Verdict 8/10
The RC8 R is a superb V-twin superbike that if only it had been launched in its final guise rather than its initial weakling state would have sold far better.
ENGINE, CHASSIS, ADJUSTABILITY, BRAKES
LACKS ELECTRONICS, PRICE IS STILL HIGH