For a company that has a wide range of naked streetfighters in its portfolio, KTM's lineup of fully-faired bikes is very limited, with the range ending at RC 390. This is despite the fact that the Austrian company has an active participation in the motor racing sports. But for customers who want a taste of a high-performance KTM sports bike, the company has introduced an exclusive offering.
June 25, 2021 / HitoshiAkira
KTM has revealed RC 8C sports bike. Limited to only 100 units, the RC 8C is a track-only bike based on KTM's Moto2 race machine. Well, the brand no more participates in Moto2 racing but it has certainly put the extensive know-how to develop an exciting machine.
The RC 8C is a completely hand-build machine and has a KTM RC16-inspired carbon-kevlar reinforced GRP bodywork and track-ready chassis. Being a track-only bike, the RC 8C gets quick-release tank and body panels, lightweight Dymag wheels, and Pirelli SC1 race slick tyres. According to KTM, the RC 8C allows customers the opportunity to own a machine that is as close to a factory race bike as possible – without the drawbacks of needing a specialist race team to maintain it.
Powering the KTM RC 8C is 890 Duke R's 889 cc, parallel-twin LC8c engine making 123 bhp. This powerplant is bolted into a dedicated 25CrMo4 steel tubular frame and the performance is enhanced by racing exhaust with Akrapovič titanium muffler, dedicated air box, and racing air filter.
The suspension duties on the RC 8C sports bike are tended to by 43 mm WP Apex Pro 7543 closed cartridge fork with zero hydraulic stroke limitation, meaning riders can continually control the damping properties. The rear suspension setup includes WP Apex Pro 7746 mono-shock with preload adjustment.
The braking force, on the other hand, comes from 290 mm fully floating front brake discs with Stylema callipers and 230 mm rear disc brake with Brembo two-piston calliper. The bike is also fitted with a Brembo 19RCS Corsa Corta radial master cylinder inspired by master cylinders of the KTM MotoGP race bike.
The bike also has a five-inch TFT instrument cluster with integrated data recording and AIM MXS 1.2 Race dashboard and data logger with integrated GPS function
KTM is limiting RC 8C to only 100 units and 25 lucky customers will get an opportunity to join the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing test team at an event. They will be able to ride with riders like Dani Pedrosa and Mika Kallio at Circuito de Jerez. These 25 customers will also get a KTM RC 8C race track package that includes an extra set of Dymag wheels, an extra set of brake discs, tyre warners, and a paddock stand.
The KTM RC 8C is an ultra-lightweight, bespoke track weapon designed with one simple purpose - to decimate lap times and stamp orange authority on the starting grid. With only 100 of these rare weapons going into production, the KTM RC 8C is a highly limited, unique motorcycle aimed at a special type of rider who knows how to get his, or her, elbow down.
2022 KTM RC 8C Specifications
Engine: 889cc liquid-cooled four-stroke Parallel-Twin
Bore x Stroke: 90.7 mm x 68.8 mm
EMS: Bosch EMS with RBW
Horsepower: 126.1 hp (claimed)
Torque: 74.5 lb-ft. (claimed)
Lubrication: Forced oil lubrication with 2 oil pumps
Starter: Electric starter
Clutch: PASC antihopping clutch, mechanically operated
Transmission: 6-speed
Chain: 520
Frame: Chrome-molybdenum steel tubular space frame, powder-coated
Front brake: 2 x Brembo Stylema Monobloc four piston, radially mounted caliper, 290 mm brake discs
Rear brake: Brembo twin-piston floating caliper, 230 mm brake disc
Front suspension: WP X-ACT PRO 7543, 4.7 inches of travel
Rear suspension: WP APEx PRO 7746, 4.7 inches of travel
Ground clearance: 5.9 inches
Tank capacity (approx.): 4.22 gallons
Seat height: 32.3 inches
Steering head angle: 66.7°
Trail: 3.9 inches
Wheelbase: 55.1 inches
Dry Weight: 309 pounds (claimed)
Watch the introduction video: