It's been a while since KTM discontinued the angular RC 8 Superbike, but now the firm which in recent times has been seeing some success in MotoGP is back with a track focussed bike based around the 890 Duke R.
The KTM RC 8C is a limited production track-only motorcycle that KTM says is being built to satisfy the apex-slaying needs of orange-bleeding track warriors. Dedicated to putting in fast lap times with unmatched hyper-focused precision, the KTM RC 8C is the embodiment of KTM's Ready to Race Ethos.
Key figures include a 128hp peak power figure, 140kg dry weight, and plenty of bespoke features unique to the RC 8C.
Limited to just 100 examples worldwide, there's no guarantee any examples of the lightweight handbuilt racing prototype will make their way to Kiwi shores.
As the C in its name denotes, the new RC 8C is powered by KTM's LC8c parallel-twin engine producing 128hp breathing through a dedicated racing exhaust with an Akrapovič titanium muffler. This in turn is bolted to a bespoke 25CrMo4 steel tubular frame, augmented by a selection of WP Pro suspension components at either end.
The fork is a hand-built 43 mm WP APEX PRO 7543 closed cartridge unit. KTM says the fork of the RC 8C is developed using experience gained from KTM Factory Racing efforts across a number of international championships, with the suspension assembled in the same department which builds and maintains the suspension of the MotoGP racing RC16.
Controlling the rear end is a WP APEX PRO 7746 shock. KTM says this can be easily adjusted to suit all riders and almost any situation by means of separate high and low-speed compression and rebound settings.
Pulling everything to a halt is a set of Brembo Stylema calipers on 290mm fully floating brake disks with aluminium rotors fastened by titanium screws on the front end. For the rear Brembo also comes to the party with a two-piston caliper with a 230 mm fully floating disk mounted directly on the hub.
The KTM RC 8C is also fitted with a Brembo 19RCS CORSA CORTA radial master cylinder, which features a host of innovations, with many of the technical solutions adopted drawn directly from the master cylinders used in MotoGP. The most significant being that riders are able to tailor the “bite point” exactly where they want it, with an easily accessible selector on the top of the master cylinder itself.
Controlling the orange track rocket is an AIM MXS 1.2 RACE dashboard and data logger with an integrated GPS function. All information is displayed via a 5-inch TFT display with integrated data recording, which is continually logged and can be analyzed in AIM Race Studio.
Alongside the KTM RC 8C itself, customers also have the opportunity to join the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing test team at a once-off customer event. Limited to only 25 customers, the exclusive event will give customers a once in a lifetime opportunity to ride with the likes of Dani Pedrosa and Mika Kallio, as they give you tips during a full day at Circuito de Jerez. All those opting for the KTM RC 8C race track experience will additionally receive the KTM RC 8C race track package which includes an extra set of Dymag wheels (Front and Rear), an extra set of front and rear brake discs, front and rear paddock stands, tyre warmers and a KTM race carpet.
The exclusive KTM RC 8C will be available for pre-order from 22 July at 16:00 CEST with New Zealand pricing currently unknown at the time of writing.
