NEW KTM RC8

[mr moto]

just shown at the milan show today .http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/mcn/2007/November/november5-11/nov0607firstlookatproductionktmrc8motorcycle/?R=EPI-96848

[stk0308]

You mean the new for the past 4 years RC8?    I'll believe it's production when there are one's sitting on my dealers floor.

[1KPerDay]

Yep, it's still ugly.

[Mookie]

I really liked the edgy design of it 4 years ago, it almost looks dated now though.  I do like it, just not as much as I did when it originally came out.

[Rincewind]

I think it's still a clean and strong-looking design.

Some great pics - http://www.motoblog.it/galleria/foto-ufficiali-della-ktm-rc8/12

[silvertwin2003]

Be afraid Ducati. Be very very afraid.

[atadaskew]

Be afraid Ducati. Be very very afraid.

Why? It already weighs more than a stock 1098 and makes less powah.  Aprilia looks in bigger trouble to me unless they bring out the V4 or do a major revamp of the 1000 Vtwin.

[Mookie]

Don't know why you'd think Aprilia would be in trouble.  They've just come out with quite a few pretty good bikes, their existing sportbikes are still at the minimimum equal with their competition (The Mille and the Tuono could still be considered tops in their class) AND they've got some majorly huge new stuff coming out in the next year or so, like a 200 hp v4 superbike.

Aprilia doesn't have to worry about a thing.

[atadaskew]

Maybe this will help you:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=5489

The Mille weighs 40 lbs more than the 1098, and makes 117 hp compared to the 1098 140hp.
Nope, Aprilia is going to have to worry about the new KTM.  Unless it releases new product soon.

[Mookie]

Good lord! Their 5 year old sport-bike is finally slightly outclassed by a higher displacement, higher cost, less reliable brand new machine.  They might as well file for bankruptcy now, since they could never hope to release any new models in the next year or two.  

[R Doug]

I'll need to see the RC8 in person.  I just hope my recent KTM acquisition from my local dealer lands me a test ride on the RC8.  If so, you all will be the first to know.

[Rincewind]

Sproing!  

[Rincewind]

Launch video from Milan

[silvertwin2003]

Why? It already weighs more than a stock 1098 and makes less powah.  Aprilia looks in bigger trouble to me unless they bring out the V4 or do a major revamp of the 1000 Vtwin.

From Cycle World.com:

At Milan, KTM unveiled its new-for-2008 1190 RC8. It's based on the concept shown at Tokyo in 2003 but it uses the second-generation version of the 75-degree, liquid-cooled, four-valve V-Twin. It now displaces 1148cc, is fuel-injected, equipped with a six-speed gearbox, and makes a claimed 155 hp. It goes into KTM's unique tubular spaceframe for a package that weighs just 419 pounds with the 4.1-gallon tank empty. Like other KTM models, it is equipped with race-ready hardware like Brembo four-piston radial-mount calipers and fully adjustable WP suspension. U.S. availability is still to be announced.

That's Why.

[atadaskew]

From Cycle World.com:

At Milan, KTM unveiled its new-for-2008 1190 RC8. It's based on the concept shown at Tokyo in 2003 but it uses the second-generation version of the 75-degree, liquid-cooled, four-valve V-Twin. It now displaces 1148cc, is fuel-injected, equipped with a six-speed gearbox, and makes a claimed 155 hp. It goes into KTM's unique tubular spaceframe for a package that weighs just 419 pounds with the 4.1-gallon tank empty. Like other KTM models, it is equipped with race-ready hardware like Brembo four-piston radial-mount calipers and fully adjustable WP suspension. U.S. availability is still to be announced.

That's Why.

So? 1098s according to Ducati.com weighs 377 lbs dry, 160hp/90.4 lbft torque.  Ohlins suspension.
Hey, don't get me wrong as an Austrian I love what KTM is doing.  I just see them as a bigger threat to Aprilia until Aprilia releases something new.
And Ducati already has the 1098R in production for 2008. It make 180hp with 99lbft torque.  As has been Ducati's practice, in a few years time that will be the standard engine in the 1098.  That's what happened with the 999 series.  Once the hoopla died down the first generation 999r motor was put into the 999s.
Thing I love about the KTM is the styling. No freakin way are you going to mistake that from anything else on the road. Wikked.

[st ryder]

Launch video from Milan

That has got to be one of the saddest unveiling's of a new motorcycle ever conceived.   Why not a silky orange sheet covering the bike, that could be whisped off in the blink of an eye instead of two dull guys struggling with a form fitted cover?   It was rather unglamourous for such a "sexy" bike to say the least, and below low budget. But, the bike I like.    

[silvertwin2003]

So? 1098s according to Ducati.com weighs 377 lbs dry, 160hp/90.4 lbft torque.  Ohlins suspension.
Hey, don't get me wrong as an Austrian I love what KTM is doing.  I just see them as a bigger threat to Aprilia until Aprilia releases something new.
And Ducati already has the 1098R in production for 2008. It make 180hp with 99lbft torque.  As has been Ducati's practice, in a few years time that will be the standard engine in the 1098.  That's what happened with the 999 series.  Once the hoopla died down the first generation 999r motor was put into the 999s.
Thing I love about the KTM is the styling. No freakin way are you going to mistake that from anything else on the road. Wikked.

Don't get me wrong. I like Ducs as well and I especially love the fact that Ducati beat the Japanese at their own game in Moto GP this year.  The real world stats from June issue of MotorCyclist say that the new "regular" 1098 puts out 137.9 horsepower at the back wheel, weighs 418 lbs dry, and puts out 77.5 foot pounds of torque. I'm talking about a "regular" 1098 vs a "regular" RC8 to compare apples to apples.  I'm not talking about any "R" spec bikes. To me, this sounds like it is right up the KTM's alley. KTM too have been known to crank out good V Twin engines without the benefit of a long legacy/development like Ducati.

[atadaskew]

Oh I agree, but we won't know real world stats on the KTM until that is independantly tested too.  The numbers that they provide as quoted above are just as valid as Ducati's factory quoted numbers.
Either way it's gonna be a corker!

[keystonejenks]

Hmmmmmmmm, how soon before we know the $ figure?

[stk0308]

Hmmmmmmmm, how soon before we know the $ figure?

I believe we won't be getting a US model til 2009, which could mean summer 2008, but still    I wouldn't expect an American price for months.