KTM RC8 1190 on sale NOW ...

[johnc]

the RC8 will only be sold via KTM's Priority Delivery Deposit Program, which ends on New Year's Eve.

so, hurry down to place your priority order now, kids.



http://www.ktm-rc8.net/

[DanTheMan]

155hp, 440lbs , need to come with something better than that.

[enzo]

Indeed, the 1198S is 170hp at 373lbs.  Not that I'd need the 15hp, but the weight prolly makes the Duc more fun.  The RC8 was much more comfy tho, and has the neat adjustable subframe, rearsets and bars stock.

[El Matador]

Indeed, the 1198S is 170hp at 373lbs.  Not that I'd need the 15hp, but the weight prolly makes the Duc more fun.  The RC8 was much more comfy tho, and has the neat adjustable subframe, rearsets and bars stock.

Weight distribution is a huge factor here. Pretty much ALL of the Rc8's weight is designed to be on the underside, which makes the handling better.

I have personally not ridden both, but several people from my side of the forum got to go on test rides and they were impressed at how nimble it felt.

[DrDesmo]

Nice! I want the RC4 though 

Adam

[Spidey]

I sat on one for a while outside ACE Cafe, snapped some photos and played with the throttle.

That throttle is pretty much binary.  On or off.  It's more sensitive than any I've ever seen.   Yoikes.  It'd be pretty brutal for a streetbike.

[Holden]

Weight distribution is a huge factor here. Pretty much ALL of the Rc8's weight is designed to be on the underside, which makes the handling better.

Does this imply that 1198s owners should add 67 pounds of dead weight low on their bikes to make them handle better?

[El Matador]

Does this imply that 1198s owners should add 67 pounds of dead weight low on their bikes to make them handle better?

No, but the 20 something pounds of exhaust that is has so high up under the tail affects the handling more there than if it was underslung 

[johnc]

Does this imply that 1198s owners should add 67 pounds of dead weight low on their bikes to make them handle better?

67 lbs of dead weight?  most of the owners will weigh around 190 - 200 lbs 

[enzo]

It's my understanding that the RC8 weight is with a full tank.  Is that right?

[Holden]

67 lbs of dead weight?  most of the owners will weigh around 190 - 200 lbs 

So? 67 pounds is the difference between 440 and 373. I don't believe the one that weighs 440 is going to handle better because it has a lower COG (no matter how much or little the rider weighs—the same rider is going to be riding this one or that one!). The 1198s can't be THAT bad.

"Good handling" doesn't only involve handling at speeds > 1 mph, anyway. I'd rather have the bike that handled better in the garage—when I'm not even sitting on it!

It's my understanding that the RC8 weight is with a full tank.  Is that right?

One would hope so.

[desmoquattro]

That thing just doesn't look right in orange...it may feel like a superbike, but the orange would make me want to ride it up and down stairs like a regular KTM.

[Drunken Monkey]

No, but the 20 something pounds of exhaust that is has so high up under the tail affects the handling more there than if it was underslung 

Weight low on the bike = better handling is a common misconception.

A few years back manufacturers found out that 'mass centralization' is the key to better handling. Basically, when a bike leans over it does around a line drawn from the contact patch of the front wheel through the middle of the back of the bike. So the closer weight is to this line, the better the bike handles.

And back on topic: I dunno what it is, but me no likey KTM orange.