2011 KTM 1198 RC8 R

Oh baby! Sexy as it gets.

gee, cant help but notice there is no SAS system...

very nice

Will it be cheaper than the road version or ..... ?

Very nice. I have no more business on that than I do an SD. But if I had the money I would buy it

Has anybody else noticed that the bike has the same Brembo made rims, as the 05-06 SD? And yet it has Marchesini stickers on the rims...
I've seen the bike in the flesh, and it says Brembo loud and clear on the spoke of the rim.

Where is that evasive lotto win?????

From what I heard the price will be a lot cheaper than they 2010 model as they can't unload those and they need to be competitive with the likes of new high performance bikes like the kwak.
Nice specs, sorted throttle, dual spark plugs, improved suspension, no traction electronics eg. pure rider bike.

As much as I love the SD I like this bike a lot!
I need to talk to my boss about a pay increase....yeah right.....

They can be had here at a decent price now also. Like the SD, a great bike that just doesn't sell very quickly because people won't buy something they are not familiar with.
Shame too, as they are both great machines.

One of the better solutions beside that twin spark head is the softer suspension, 85Nm in the back instead of the 110Nm on the 08-09 models which was eating rubber bij the km.
One of the first I got rid of was that standard suspension spring on my RC when I got the bike after 3months.
"Jezza" may be a good pilot and all that but he isn't a suspension guru imo

Just had a ride on the RC8R road version, damn it's good. Seriously considering swapping my SDR now
And the price is in 2010 MSRP in Belgium was 20990€ for the RC8R , now the 2011 model is going for 15400€ the dealer told me KTM was making a run for way bigger market share in the supersport segment, with that pricing they might just succeed, it's cheaper than R1, GSXR, Fireblade, 1000RR ... in fact it's pretty much the cheapest in the segment in Belgium now.

I'm off to prepare a business case to present to the misses

mmmmm wonder if the rc8 engine would fit in my sd.?? what a beast that would be,the power to weight be awsome.
ive had rsv4,good bike with a mental motor,now that would be good in a sd,but the riding is to cramp and the tank range is such a laugh.
dont get me wrong the rsv4 is a lovly bike and it handle so beautifuly, it pulls like a bloody train on steroids!

This was discussed when the original RC8 came out but it was established that the RC8 engine doesn't fit in the SD frame without proper modifications to it

not to mention the RC8R weighs about the same as the SD anyway, so power-weight is already shit hot on the RC8R!

I'd love to try one but I like my light steering on the SDR too much to swap. I'd have both if I was loaded tho!!

If I was ever on the fence about racing an RC8R this would put me over.
A race ready bike.
Nothing worse than spending $20k on a bike and immediately taking $5k worth of crap off that will never be used is crazy. The body work, pipe, emission, etc stuff is just not needed to be sold to the average on a bike he intends to only race.
The absolute worse is having to then replace all of these road parts with race bodywork, pipes, etc. Another $3-$5k.
I have always said that the dealers should have a provision to buy this stuff back from a customer BEFORE he picks up his bike.
Now, how about some suspension options?

If I ever race again it will be this model I buy.
Wish I had a chance to ride that sucker the way you did Tead!

I just picked mine up last sunday and took it for a quick ride right away. I did raise the clip ons it took 2 minutes. the rear subframe and pegs take a bit more effort to adjust.

found 3 issues with the bike:

can't get the key to lock steering. have to check the limiter bolts.

noticed some wavy texture on one side of the tank.

found oil on bottom of the case and top of muffler. might be weeping from oil filter cover.

the EFI/engine is EXCELLENT. very smooth. very torquey. first gear is WAY WAY tall which is fine because of the torque.

suspension is quite comfortable on rough roads. I need to set sag. preload is too much for my weight. but I found some selling ohlins forks/ttx shock for 2200usd!!!

Hi,
Just picked up a cheap ex-demo 2010 RC8R. rear shock is so hard. want to swap spring. Out of interest what is fitted to your stunning 2011 model?

I have to look at my owner's manual. it is listed there.

85 n/mm

Thanks. That's what I'll order one of those then. 

Oops, Alan, I know you have one. Any further feedback? Anyone else?

Go try one for yourself!
http://www.midohio.com/School/Courses/M ... de-Program

I did. The bike was very easy to ride. Solid, smooth, and precise. It felt very good without setting up the suspension. Took me a few sessions to learn the track but after that...

One of the control riders had the RC8RS (Race Spec) and the power difference was quite noticeable on the straight. If I didn't have this sick ex-AMA CBR1000 to race next year, I'd be whoring myself to buy one come spring. Ready to Race out of the box, couldn't say it better.

I see in today's MCN that KTM plans full factory assault on WSB in 2013 could be interesting.......and dare I say it about bloody time....

Sacrilege, I know, but I am thinking of getting the Kawisaki zx10r instead of the rc8r. Nice comfortable bike with traction control, and ABS is an option. Its about $2k or $1k less than the rc8r depending if I want the ABS. You can shoot me/flame me if you'd like, but I would appreciate thoughtful feedback, both as to whether to get the ABS and as to which bike to get.

If you're looking for a purpose built track bike, RC8RS is the way to go. AFAIK the only thing it needs is safety wire, everything else is the KTM Hard Parts bolt on race kit including suspension.

The ZX10 is a very good bike from what I've seen and heard, but soon everyone will have one. No one will have an RC8R. And twins have more soul than an I4.

You are absolutely right that twins have soul, but inline fours are incredibly easy to ride. I've done track days on my Duc (since sold) and struggled and on a rental I-4 and was relatively fast (FOR ME-slow as sh*t for anyone good) and that is why my interest in the zx10r which also has the electronics to help save one's bacon. Finances and the W may preclude me doing either, but...

If you have decent credit, you can get a BMW S1000RR for $200 per month with nothing down and a $6800 ballon payment in 4 yrs. I haven't ridden a ZX-10, but have ridden the S1000RR and its pretty awesome. If I were in the market for a sportbike, it would be a no brainer. I'd have a Beemer in the garage.

I love the RC8R 2011 model. If I had the $$ I'll get one today. Unfortunately her in Australia we get absolutely ripped off by KTM and that bike is 10K more than a ZX10R

2011 RC8R has excellent throttle controll. no twitching/surging, etc. excellent bike for public roads. very light on its feet.

it does bake your right leg on hot days at slower speeds. I'm still using the stock exhaust but I have an akra system.

JC exhaust fitted to my 2011 rc8r about 2 mth ago ,just got the bikes ecu flashed with arka map (no map on tune ecu),bike is super smooth now

How loud is it?

107 db sounds superb

All I have to say this bike is just amazing.Break in first 600 mile nothing past 7500 rpm.
1st gear 7000 thru 6th all at 7-7500 157 mph. Just think what it will do when its broken in.

I can't wait to get the 600 mile over now I just need a pipe.I had to give my fmf up when I sold my 2010 RC8

The 2011 RC8R is perfect It handles so good I love it.

Just by using the adjustment that the RC8 comes with standard (Bar height, seat height, rear ride height and Footrest mounting height you can change the RC8 from track day to near enough the same riding position as a SD.....with NO additional parts required

Just found this awesome pic on the 'net that I thought I'd share.