Ronda, Spain February 25th 2008– KTM firmly places itself into the history books with its first ever superbike! It’s orange, its fast and its right straight out of the crate. KTM really managed to impress both Jeremy McWilliams and myself both on Ascari and on the road. The 1148cc V-twin from Mattighofen takes on the world.
Words: Tor Sagen & Jeremy McWilliams (coming...)/Photography: Peuker/Buenos Dias
KTM showed us the very first concept version of the RC8 at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2003. The Austrians are aggressive in their marketing strategy and choosing Tokyo was a nice little intimidating stunt aimed at the Japanese big four. KTM wants to make a big statement with the RC8. It says in big bold orange letters that if we can beat you at offroad we can beat you on the road too.
The RC8 started out as a 999cc V-twin, and then it became a 990cc V4. KTM then scrapped everything done before and developed a brand new V75 1148cc twin from scratch in 30 months. In the last two years KTM have lobbied with Ducati to get the current WSB regulation changes through to allow the 1200cc super twins to compete.
The real competition right now is first and foremost the Ducati 1098 where the RC8 1190 is aimed directly at the 1098S at a lower price than the standard 1098. As a matter of fact, Mattighofen engineers have aimed very precisely and the RC8 1190 makes exactly the same rear wheel horsepower as the 1098S. A source also told me exclusively that KTM have purchased not one, but two brand new Ducati 1098R’s for study (this is not unusual as every manufacturer study their competition). But in the corridors lurk both a BMW and an Aprilia 4-cylinder superbike too. World superbike racing will be extremely interesting in 2009.
Arriving at Ascari I can see around 50 spanking new RC8’s lined up waiting for the world press. Half of the bikes have got number plates and mirrors, the other half are primed for the track test.
Following Jeremy McWilliams advice I opt to do the road ride first thing in the morning to allow the sun to warm up the very long Ascari race circuit. It’s February and the weather conditions are not always very warm or dry in this part of Spain. Ronda is high up in the mountains and it was cold this morning.
Twisting the ignition key for the first time the orange instrument panel fires up very fast. I push the starter button and cherish the moment which will go into motorcycle history. The RC8 with its extremely distinct styling is already iconic. The 1148cc V-twin fires up straight away despite the cold air-It sounds great!
My first impression of the seat and riding position is that of a sportsbike slightly less extreme. I have got a feeling that I am sitting more in the middle of the bike rather than on top of the front wheel. I adjust the mirrors that also house the front blinkers. The mirrors are easily adjusted and fairly big for a sportsbike too.
I do my first few miles up into the mountains where the roads are fast at first before more and more corners keep me entertained. The power delivery feels completely civilised and the RC8 is easy to ride on the roads. The Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa’s provide plenty of grip and feedback through WP top notch suspension. WP have just been outsourced from KTM to allow the firm to develop further and also offer both Ohlins, Marzocchi and Showa some more competition in the wider market. Our onsite WP technician recommended three different settings on the fully adjustable suspension. -Standard, medium and sport where all the road bikes were set up as standard.
This worked great for me on the road as even the standard setting allowed me to extract all the feedback I needed on the day. I can imagine that the bike will feel quite firm on the road for a lighter rider than me though. Austrians are on average of fairly solid build just like us Scandinavians and for a 6 foot something weighing around 90 kilos the RC8 is an absolutely lovely superbike on the roads. Not only is the WP rear mono shock very good, the layout and look from behind is as tidy as I have ever seen it on any bike. ONLY EXTRACTS OF THE FULL 2.000+ word test for now!
Jeremy McWilliams rates the RC8 for the camera!
Walk around and onboard teaser with McWill!
KTM RC8 1190 launch - Vlog!
Jeremy McWilliams and I are now in Ronda, Spain for the first test of the new KTM RC8 1190 on the Ascari circuit and on the local roads. This is the first film from the hotel. Next we will film the bike from all angles, run the engine, do onboard filming from Ascari and the roads and much more! Watch this space for the next more thorough update. Tor Sagen
The time has come, KTM's RC8 1190 faces world press!
The build up to the launch of KTM's unproven new superbike project has been unusually long. What started out as a 990cc concept bike have turned into a 1190 real world superbike. Jeremy McWilliams and I ride it exclusively at KTM's international launch in Spain on Monday morning. I have had to pull every string possible to ensure we are both at the right place at the right time. The launch starts out with a half day track session on the famous Ascari circuit before being followed by a road ride. I shall do the first pass on cold tyres at Ascari so that I can compare with the road ride. Then it's all up to McWilliams to get under the skin of the new super twin from KTM. I will make sure there's a onboard camera on the bike as often as possible and get you the first impressions as soon as possible. We guarantee you that we will provide THE test of this exciting new motorcycle. McWilliams broke records on the 2008 Ducati 1098R a month ago. I am dead excited to see what he can do on the RC8 1190 on Monday. Watch this space! Tor Sagen
