KTM RC8 Launch - first riding impressions

Good man.

I'm going to ride one before I decide if it should replace my beloved Superduke.

Ducati Pete wrote (see)

Good man.

I'm going to ride one before I decide if it should replace my beloved Superduke.

lucky u man..

from all the stuff on the web i've been wondering about the riding position.. it looks a bit high for street use but i guess it makes for great handling

Ducati Pete wrote (see)

Me fat - in your dreams.

KTM SuperDuke R
Ex: BMW K1200R - Black/Yellow - Bee's Knees? I broke it.
Winter Hack: Gilera 180SP Runner moke: broken down
Ex: BMW R1200GS Sold it.
Ex: Husqvarna SM570R - "If you can read this - I've stalled the engine". Sold it.
Ex: GSX-R1000. Sold it after 24,000 miles
Ex: YZF-R6 x 2 Both stolen

It seams like a good bike, but I think it looks too much like the "MZ 1000s" just with a central headlight.

IMO.

CBR929 RRY, BMW R1200RT, Aprilia Sport City 300

I've heard and read that the riding position is quite neutral, definitely not the hardcore race bike stance with ass up-hands down. It sounded like it's very comfortable for people on the tall side, the clip-ons are at the same height as the top yoke, the seat is at a low height compared to other repli-racers. All this sounds great to me, being a tall guy I do feel that I have struggles with the ever shrinking and slimming sport bikes.

Here is just an excerpt from 'www.motorcycledaily.com':

"Someone might want to murder me for saying this, but one of my thoughts was that the RC8 is the perfect merger of a Triumph Sprint ST and Ducati 1098. Much more 1098 than ST of course, but to illustrate the point that the new 1190 is ergonomically pretty much the perfect road racer. The distance from the foot pegs to my knees hugging that orange matt fuel tank, and from the roomy seat to the not-so-extreme handlebar position suited me perfectly."

 I cant wait until this bike hits the streets, I think it's a great addition to the pedigree, now which will it be? The Aprilia v4 or the KTM RC-8...hmm

Electric_Dreams wrote (see)

They look stunning, i'd defo buy one if i was old enough!

LENSKINED wrote (see)

It seams like a good bike, but I think it looks too much like the "MZ 1000s" just with a central headlight.

IMO.

That's like saying the fireblade looks too much like the blackbird! They look only similar in that you can tell they are from the same manufacturer's range.

IMO the RC8 looks exactly like a superbike should...like sex on two wheels!...and yes I do get a boner every time I look at it!

I think the bike looks really good and is a genuine alternative to the Ducati and Aprilia offerings. However, having watched Cantiles Ascari lap and read his comments I glean that:

1 - It need breathing on; as it seems to lack punch out of the fast flowing corners.

2 -  Handling appears spot-on

3 - Perhaps it needs more cc's - as Cantile writes in a way that only compares it to the Ducati 998's and 999's and would deal with problem 1.

In brief - it appears a great first attempt (as was for comparisn the Mille) but we need to "watch this space" to see if KTM can match the established brands. Good luck to them