2009 – 2015 KTM RC8R
£8500-£11,000 170bhp 176mph 197kg 1195cc 75° V-twin
“Leftfield V-twin with classic status”
There are three reasons why you’d need your head examining if you bought the red bike instead of the orange/black/white one. Most obviously, the RC8R is the only large capacity sportsbike ever made by KTM (unless you count the base RC8, a down-spec version). The 1198 is a mere 1098-to-panigale stepping stone. So the RC8R’S exclusivity alone means future sterlings, even if the bike itself is a potato.
Which it isn’t. The spudding-great V-twin, like the 1198, has a short stroke, wide bores, keeping (titanium) valve area up, piston speeds down and makes a genuine 155bhp (with a 13.5:1 compression ratio needing super unleaded to stave off detonation). The chassis is also quality: WP forks, Brembo brakes, WP shock with two-way compression damping and adjustable ride height. KTM had an eye on racing the RC8R in WSB and it shows (never did, though; the RC8R won a German Superbike title before the factory switched to Motogp).
But so far so Ducati; what puts the KTM ahead is an adjustable riding position; clip-ons, pegs and seat have two settings each, making eight permutations. And they work; you really can make it a comfy sportsbike.
And the looks — the Kiska KTM is all lines and angles; distinctive enough to pass through unfashionability and into design classic. The 1198 is the epitome of meh. So buy an RC8R, now.