New KTM RC8R 2009 2010 Reviews and Specification, No complaints whatsoever on the way the bike is built and finished. As said, the gearbox issues that affected early RC8 models has been resolved, and on our test bike no major fuelling problems (still a slight flutter around 3500-4000rpm for noise emissions). There is a lot of forum traffic on the subject of engine reliability but KTM reckons it is now on top of past issues . I had a go on a RC8 in 2008 when they were first launched . Only did 5miles and took it back --poor gearbox and down on power compared to a Jap 4 . Recently tried a RC8R --what a difference , lots of power , amazing handling , better than a 1098 ( not tried a 1198s yet) . All i need now is to sell my 2008 zx10r
The same LC8 engine as used on the current crop of large capacity KTM machines (990SM, RC8 etc) but with capacity increase to 1195cc and additional tuning work (new cams and timing, compression hike and so on). It’s a bloody gutsy lump down below and matched with an impressive amount of top end drive. What is the driving force is the linear torque output that makes riding the KTM RC8R as easy as opening the throttle. Sticky gearbox problems aren’t, thankfully, inherited from the RC8, thanks to new gear selector mechanism and revised gear cluster dogs. Comes with road or track throttle tubes: road version has a chamfered cam to smoothe out low rpm throttle delivery by reducing amount of throttle cable pull for a given amount of turn.
Specification
Engine size 1195cc
Engine specification Liquid-cooled, 75° V-twin four-stroke. Six gears
Frame Tubular steel trellis
Front suspension adjustment Fully-adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment Fully-adjustable
Front brakes 2 x 320 disc with 4-piston calipers
Rear brake 220mm disc with two-piston caliper
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 190/55 x 17
The same LC8 engine as used on the current crop of large capacity KTM machines (990SM, RC8 etc) but with capacity increase to 1195cc and additional tuning work (new cams and timing, compression hike and so on). It’s a bloody gutsy lump down below and matched with an impressive amount of top end drive. What is the driving force is the linear torque output that makes riding the KTM RC8R as easy as opening the throttle. Sticky gearbox problems aren’t, thankfully, inherited from the RC8, thanks to new gear selector mechanism and revised gear cluster dogs. Comes with road or track throttle tubes: road version has a chamfered cam to smoothe out low rpm throttle delivery by reducing amount of throttle cable pull for a given amount of turn.
Specification
Engine size 1195cc
Engine specification Liquid-cooled, 75° V-twin four-stroke. Six gears
Frame Tubular steel trellis
Front suspension adjustment Fully-adjustable
Rear suspension adjustment Fully-adjustable
Front brakes 2 x 320 disc with 4-piston calipers
Rear brake 220mm disc with two-piston caliper
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size 190/55 x 17
Review By John Dalton Texas
