REVscene Automotive Forum - The KTM 1190 RC8 R Appreciation Thread

Given the current speculation about the RC8 R impending demise, I decided it might be nice to give the Austrian super-bike a little bit of love here on Revscene.

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2008-series KTM 1190 RC8

The 2008 model introduced something new to the world; a tarmac-eating Austrian-developed super-bike. The KTM RC8 was unique in many ways, not least of which was the bike's exceptional design.

The 2008 model produced just 151 hp and 85 ft/lbs of torque from it's 1,150 cc liquid-cooled 75 degree V-Twin engine (DOHC, 4-valves per cylinder).

In 2009 the RC8 was supplanted with an "R" variant and all model from that point onwards featured a massively reviewed 1,195 cc liquid-cooled motor that produced 173 hp and 90 ft/lbs of torque. For 2010, the non-R variant was dropped

RC8 R History (merci, Wikipedia)
2010
The RC8 R was delivered to the United States in 2010 as a 2011 model with more track-oriented features than the standard RC8. Engine displacement increased to 1,195 cc (72.9 cu in) with a higher compression ratio of 13.5:1. It has titanium intake valves and a low-friction diamond-like carbon (DLC) treatment on its camshafts' finger followers. The RC8 R's WP suspension includes a 43 mm inverted fork at the front end, with a titanium-aluminum-nitride low-stiction coating on its sliders. A high-end shock supports the bike's rear, and its piston rod is also finished with the titanium-aluminum-nitride coating. The fork has three modes of adjustment (compression damping, rebound damping and spring preload), while the shock separates the compression damping into high and low speed circuits and has ride-height adjustability. An adjustable steering damper completes the suspension.

The RC8 R offers many chassis adjustments not found on other superbikes. In addition to the suspension, the rider can adjust many other parts on the bike including the front brake lever, the rear brake pedal, the clutch lever, the handlebars, the shifter, the footpegs, and the seat/subframe height. Essentially, the adjustable options allow the RC8 R to accommodate riders of various sizes.

2011 and 2012
Internal improvements were made for these model years based on rider reviews and in-house testing. 250 models were made for North America for 2011 and 2012 years. The KTM engineers included a heavier crankshaft and flywheel aimed at reducing the buzzy nature of the previous RC8R and to emphasize low-end torque. Throttle butterflies were remapped to reduce the amount of opening under small throttle inputs for much smoother transitions and to address the "snatchy throttle" complaints directed at the earlier models. The new cylinder head uses two spark plugs in each cylinder; below 7,000 rpm only one of the two fires, while above 7,000 both are used for optimum burning and reduced detonation which also allows for a re-tuned ECU that has revamped cam timing and the 52 mm throttle bodies. Also new with this model are cast aluminum Marchesini wheels and strategic front and rear suspension updates.

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