KTM has officially introduced their new KTM RC8 superbike. Power comes from a 155 horsepower, 1148cc 75 degree V-Twin. The 414 pound RC8 has a powder coated Chromoly trellis frame rolling on 17 inch wheels with Brembo brakes.
This is KTM’s entry in the high power superbike market and it looks like a worthy contender.
More photos and link below:
Link: KTM
Mayakovski says
Woo Hoo;
Now that is a nice looking bike. Should prove good competition for the Ducati 1098.
Hugo says
It’s a shame they had to put in an air-exit at the side fairing; it now looks more bulky and less clean then the conceptbike; the engine probably generates a lot of heat and maybe aerodynamics played a role in this decision. Especially from 3/4 behind it looks a lot wider.
concept: http://www.mcnews.com.au/Wallpaper/KTM/2004/RC8_990/KTM_RC8_RHR_1024.jpg
akbar says
kinda pointy
Blair says
The pillion pegs seem a bit superfluous, since the tail section doesn’t look very pillion friendly. Maybe there’s a bolt on seat not shown
GAMBLER says
I thought I was going to die of old age b4 this bike was released… jeeshh
now let’s see them get serious & invade WSBK
then on to Poland!
KaTOOM!
ORANGE POWER!
Mark Stead says
Nice to see some high performance v-twins coming back in to the market. Mechanicals sound great, fairing design does not do anything for me. Be interesting how it stacks up against the new 1125 Rotax powered Buell
Adam says
I like it, but it’s a bit heavy in light of it’s competition, no?
KTM RC8: 155 hp/414 lb – 0.37 hp/lb
Buell 1125R: 146 hp/375 lb – 0.39 hp/lb
Ducati 1098: 160 hp/381 lb – 0.41 hp/lb
Smokocaster says
The engine capacity of 1148 could indicate a KTM intention to go play in WSBK next year. That can only be good for the sport, especially given recent indications from BMW to develop a litre 4 for the same class. It’s high time!
With all the manufacturers around, it can only be good for motorcycling to have more of them involved in racing. The success of Ducati, a relative minnow beside the Jap Four, goes to show what can be achieved. I’d love to see BMW, KTM and MV factory teams at Phillip Island for the ’09 WSBK.
daddyc479 says
i might get rid of my aprilia for this i have to see it in person.
Tom says
KTM seems to have a real talent for making mechanical marvels . . . and then wrapping them in the most ridiculous plastic.
It’s like a porsche in the body of a Pontiac Aztec.
I’m generally not one to worry much about looks, but KTM takes it to such extremes it’s hard to ignore.
PigIron says
Looks awesome. I just hope they race it in Superbike.
todd says
Forgive me for mistaking it for a MZ 1000S. I guess that’s where color photos come in handy.
Why does the tail section need to be that high in the air? It reminds me of when a wasp is either injured or mating. That must be an artifact of being a dirt bike company. I’m sure if they lowered the seat they could attract more people to its A) better styling, and B) lower seat height.
I’m still waiting for the RC4.
-todd
coho says
Todd,
All the Euro sportbikers seem to like that goofy high pointy wasp tail.
Does nothing for me. The rest of the bike is cool, though.
greer says
I guess you either hate or love their styling, but you have to give them props for having a very unique design langauge that they manage to keep consistent across they’re entire range. I don’t see how anyone could mistake a ktm for anything else.
therock says
Just when you thought that superbikes all looked the same (sorry while I yawn at the millionth year of the Gixxer thou 🙂 (I still love you gixxer machine god) bam, KTM brings out this alien creation.
What I love about KTM is that they actually produce prototype looking bikes all the time and seem to be quite successful at it.
One day I will succomb and buy one for sure.
guitargeek says
I’m with Tom on this one: What’s with all the angular styling these days? GM has invested heavily in that look, and I guess it’s supposed to remind people of the F-117 Nighthawk, which just screams “high tech”… or something. Thing is, the F-117 is basically 1980s technology, newer planes are stealthier and don’t look like crumpled wads of aluminum foil.
There’s just no good reason for it.
todd says
It’s easier to design shapes like this in computer modeling programs. You can release rendered images and pass them off as photography
-todd
Mike says
YEAH,it’s probably going to perform and I would consider buying one but the KTM look just doesn’t do anything for me. On the other hand I thought the old style ford pickups were ugly when they first came out and I ended up buying one of them. Guess I would have to see it in the flesh and drive it before making final judgement.
prayas says
@todd it’s easier to do softer shapes in CAD and 3d modelling progs than getting these hard shapes to llok right.
Thanks finally it’s coming. Now to decide Buell, KTM or Duc. Doesn’t have the pure beauty of the Duc but is way more aggresiv than that Buell.
help i can’t decide. I want all three for a test ride.
P..:
Colin says
Well if you’re a professional CAD user, which the designers of the bike *are*, designong angular as opposed to fluid shapes takes just as much skill. Neither one is more difficult than the other.
As for the prevelent angular designs you are seeing in all aspects of transportation, its because of current design trends. You will notice this in several areas like consumer, automotive, and industrial products. Also note the designs you see on the marketplace today were designs compiled years ago (as the design & manufacturing process takes supreme lengths of time).
Colin says
Oh and I should mention I love the look and the direction they chose. The more v-twins the better!
Bradders says
Saw this ‘in the metal’ at the NEC bike show… Sat on it, didn’t want to get off; just felt right! Looks totally different in a market jammed with similarity, and I was told the planned entry price was just under £10,900 – release set for end Feb/March, apparently.
Paul Marlow says
Sat on one at the bike show last week for a sports bike murdered all of the competition for comfort loved almost everything about the bike mmmm headlight not so sure
shane stewart says
ive been salavating over this bike since its conception , where do i sign, this bike is for me!!
planeguy says
as to the F117 there is a need to all of those curves to get a radar singnatur of less then 1 milli unit u need them and then a thick radar absorbing material over the sheet metal thats y u can’t see any rivets hahaha so ya 1980s or not still one of the most undetected planes out there because of that angular design as u put it haha i think only 3 have been shot down
lex says
if you look at this bike next to pics of the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, the styling starts to make alot of sense… the Rc8 is more Lambo on two wheels (think menacing hot-blooded italian design), where as the Ducati is more… Ferrari on two wheels. i want one in white 🙂
robert says
this is a very nice bike
motoxyogi says
I suppose there are as many reasons for the angular styling as you want to make. Though while there may be a consumer trend towards angular goods, i think that its the MotoGP influence. Think back to the nasty NSR’s and RGV’s and all of them were relatively rounded(aerodynamicly least drag) for the highest top speed. But when the torquey heavy 4-strokes appeared the philosophy changed to angular to cause turbulance and allow the riders to tip the bikes on their ears as quickly as possible.
Most modern superbikes are following this KTM just take it to an extreme.
Oh and coho, i resemble that remark an happen to love the tail just to prove your point