Ktm rc8r

Anyone here have any experience with the KTM RC8R? Likes, dislikes, pros, cons...

Thanks in advance

i can already see where this thread is gonna go"¦.

NOLA.

TransNone13 had one ...You should ask him....

@ Nola

Would search function been my friend on this one lol?

Naah, you will get an educated opinion, but a nice dose of harassment too
Just filter it out.

I am off to post on the Chevy forum about my new F-150.

NOLA

One of my brothers has a 2011, smooth powerband, problem free, probably the best OEM suspension out there.

Downside: No electronics, seating position too upright for serious track riding and I've seen better looking potato diggers than this thing. It fell off the ugly-tree and hit every branch on it's way down.

fireman1251 said:

One of my brothers has a 2011, smooth powerband, problem free, probably the best OEM suspension out there.

Downside: No electronics, seating position too upright for serious track riding and I've seen better looking potatoe diggers than this thing. It fell off the ugly-tree and hit every branch on it's way down.

Click to expand...

Thanks Dan Quayle.

NOLA

NOLA said:

Thanks Dan Quayle.

NOLA

Click to expand...

Had one for 3 years.

Pros: Great track toy. Equally awesome on the street. Never had a mechanical issue. Actually is a beautiful bike up close. Buttery smooth on the power. No electronics, but posted the same lap times that I'm currently doing on my Pani. Very adjustable. Awesome feed back from the front end.

Cons: service and parts hard to get. Down on power. You must be over 5'10" to ride it. It's not a Ducati.

There are plenty of YouTube clips about this bike. Check some out

I've always liked the bike, interesting to read the feedback from owners. Every review I've read says that the bike is very easy to use and fun to ride.

I think the biggest issue is that the platform is very old. If you're into the latest-greatest, then you'll likely be disappointed as I've heard the 1290 version is coming out, with all the latest TC/ABS etc. based on the 1290 Superduke R. Should be just the reboot the model needed.

I'm looking to add a project. The price of a used 1199 to convert to a track only bike is still a little high for me. I saw some agreeable pricing on used RC8's that fit the budget. I have a dealership about 10 minutes away that is acquiring the brand, so...

the wheels are turning.

Ducatiph1 said:

I'm looking to add a project. The price of a used 1199 to convert to a track only bike is still a little high for me. I saw some agreeable pricing on used RC8's that fit the budget. I have a dealership about 10 minutes away that is acquiring the brand, so...

the wheels are turning.

Click to expand...

If that's the case, buy an 899. The power is about the same as the RC8R and all the parts can be used on your current bike. Sold my RC8R shortly after buying my Pani.

Thamer said:

If that's the case, buy an 899. The power is about the same as the RC8R and all the parts can be used on your current bike. Sold my RC8R shortly after buying my Pani.

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Thy dyno's I've seen have a bone stock RC8R around mid-150 rwhp. That's about 25 or so more hp more than an 899, which would have to be completely built up to get that kind of gain. Plus, the WP suspension on the RC8R is comparable to good Ohlins (not OEM internal Ohlins, the aftermarket stuff). Lastly, if you get the earlier RC8R, they come with forged Marchesini wheels. If you can get that for the same price as an 899 or less, I think it would be a good deal. Plus, if you want TC you can easily add a Bazzaz Z-Fi TC, which also adds an excellent quick-shifter and the TC works better at the track than OEM DTC.



In this track comparison, the RC8R was only 0.25 second slower in absolute lap times than an 1199S and they rated it one place ahead of the 1199S :



2012 KTM RC8R Track Comparison - Motorcycle USA

Here's a closed course model for sale at KTM dealer in Miami. This model had better parts on it and came track-ready with no lights and race bodywork from the factory. I saw this bike in person last week, it has less than 800 miles on it. If I had an extra $15,000...

KTM 2011 1190 RC8 R Race

JeffD said:

Here's a closed course model for sale at KTM dealer in Miami. This model had better parts on it and came track-ready with no lights and race bodywork from the factory. I saw this bike in person last week, it has less than 800 miles on it. If I had an extra $15,000...

KTM 2011 1190 RC8 R Race

Click to expand...

soooo nasty. my buddy has one. black/orange tho. FMF full system sounds rediculous too.

Just an Fyi...

Ducati Dealers Top Satisfaction Index | Ducati.net

Ktm way at the bottom.....

My boy has an RC8 that track only. He swears by it. He was having a shifting issue at Jennings two weeks ago and went to the dealer here in Orlando to get service. The dealer told him, bring it back in two weeks and you wont get it back for another two weeks, if you are lucky. I'll pass.

JeffD said:

Thy dyno's I've seen have a bone stock RC8R around mid-150 rwhp. That's about 25 or so more hp more than an 899, which would have to be completely built up to get that kind of gain. Plus, the WP suspension on the RC8R is comparable to good Ohlins (not OEM internal Ohlins, the aftermarket stuff). Lastly, if you get the earlier RC8R, they come with forged Marchesini wheels. If you can get that for the same price as an 899 or less, I think it would be a good deal. Plus, if you want TC you can easily add a Bazzaz Z-Fi TC, which also adds an excellent quick-shifter and the TC works better at the track than OEM DTC.

In this track comparison, the RC8R was only 0.25 second slower in absolute lap times than an 1199S and they rated it one place ahead of the 1199S :

2012 KTM RC8R Track Comparison - Motorcycle USA

Click to expand...

I owned one for 3 years. I made it track only and had most mods including the thin head gaskets. Like I said great bike, but.... parts are a pita, not all dealers work on them or know how to work on them. WP suspension is great, as good as the OEM Ohlins, but try getting service for them, or even just springs. Resale suck! You still cand get case sliders for the left hand side of the new model bikes (they changed 3 years ago).

Look at the plethora of parts that were available for the 1199 from the beginning of the 2012 season, (and the bike had only just been releasd). At least two Pani owners on the forum sold their RC8Rs to buy Panis, and Scott's was the red bull Jeremy McWilliams limited edition version.

Trust me it's and awesome bike...I bought one cause of the quality and workmanship. An average person should be able to do all the maintenance on one short of a gearbox rebuild, (yes they are great to work on). You will be the only one at the track with one, which is cool.

But I would still get an 899 if I was tracking it and you be able to sell all the parts when your done to either 1199 owners, or other 899 owners. Think about it....there are already more 899 owners in North America than RC8 owners and the RC8 has been around for almost 10 years! (You can check the annual import numbers if you don't believe me).

I've only seen one series in Europe where the RC8 dominated and that was IDM.

I actually think that they'd do better in WSBK than the Buell, but I don't see too many in any race series any where.

Good luck.

I would like to purchase one of the used 1199's and build a trackbike, but they are still going for around $14k

Thank you to everyone for giving me the info. I'm tempted to get a 2010 and put a full bazzaz. I'm finding them for around 9-10k