Chris has fallen in love with his ultimate dream ride, the KTM RC8R, they have histoty! Check out our insurance partners @Bemoto www.bemoto.uk/... #ktm #dreamrides #ktmrc8
You can buy mine if you want Chris 🤣 Such a great bike. I’ve got a 2014 final edition. Epic bike! Great review, hopefully you’ve added some value on to mine 😉
I love my earlier RC8, suspension needed sorting out for the road (way too stiff for bumpy roads) but the engine is stonking, love the mid range grunt. Despite some injuries it’s still comfortable for a sports bike, I can’t see myself changing it for a long time.
This is still the only superbike with fully adjustable ergonomics to date. Why other manufacturers haven't cottoned on to the simple mounting points and spacers is beyond me.
Great video you bring an awful lot of experience and enthusiasm to this series with of course James for letting you ride the awesome bikes ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ from northern Ireland
The only motorcycle that is a sculpture on 2 wheels....!!! Apart the 916 ( and I know its a bold statement)....this is a, from a design point of view...., unique!!! Absolutely unique!!!
Awesome lads. I remember seeing one for the first time thinking, yup. Checks out. That is definitely a KTM superbike hahah! Another bike you can tell how much you genuinely love. Top work mate.
I had a test ride of the RC8 when it came out and I wish I had traded in my R6 for it now but I wasn't ready for the extra power. I remember the handling was fantastic and it had loads of torque 👍
It's rare for a manufacturer to enter a market and get the product right first time, but I think KTM did it with the RC8R. It's a shame the factory didn't develop it and field a WSBK team.
I own a 1st gen rc390 and I love it for similar reasons you mention except it does need more power. I have modified the suspension so it is more adjustable and upsets a few big bikes on track. I also own a 1990 Fzr1000r Exup. You need to ride one of these. It was my dream bike thanks to Performance bikes magazine back in 1990.
I'm the same Chris, always had the chubbs for the RC8. But have heard a number of mechanical horror stories. Topped by one this Saturday from an ex owner who spent thousands a couple of times only to move it on after excess smoke started coming out the exhaust for a third time! Don't know about you but I don't have the money or time to deal with that
When this bike was launched it had a sound way too close to a Britten V1000 and I always thought that KTM would buy the rights to build a 1290 KTM Britten V1000 both as a road version and a track bike. It would be nice if that happens.
I have the twin spark revision R and it could do with a bit more power. But it's one of those deceptive bikes. I stepped straight off an 03 RSV-R (last of the chunky Milles) and the sensation of speed was greater on the Mille, despite the KTM having a dyno measured 36hp advantage and lighter weight.
Any chance you have a Buell 1125 kicking around for Chris to test? It and the 1100 hypermotard are two bikes that brought out my inner hooligan every ride
Poor sales and a shifting market. People were starting to turn their backs on superbikes and KTM were having financial woes around this time. Throw in the lingering after effects of the 2007-2008 global financial crisis and a strong Euro against other currencies and I suppose it didn't make sense. The story about superbikes being too dangerous for the road from the KTM CEO was complete crap as they were working on making the Superduke even more powerful than the RC8R. It was a financial decision, pure and simple.
Excellent again. Really like the adjustability of the bike. It's such a shame that modern sports bikes aren't the same. To ugly for me. Has to be my 1098s 👍 as you are such a top rider, maybe 1098r .
Unique looks, superb chassis and adjustable ergonomics. Oh and it has a genuine 90ft/lbs of torque at the rear wheel, delivered by 7500rpm and is comfortable enough for me (6'5", all arms and legs) to do 200 miles with only fuel stops. Unfortunately the early RC8 was full of teething problems and the BMW S1000RR and Ducati Panigale were just around the corner.
How many people have gone onto eBay for a look? 😂
In about 10 minutes!
You can buy mine if you want Chris 🤣 Such a great bike. I’ve got a 2014 final edition. Epic bike! Great review, hopefully you’ve added some value on to mine 😉
The chasis on this bike is what makes it. Handles so well. Loves a bend and provides heaps of confidence
Chris’ body language is enough to show how much he likes this bike
Good observation 👍 lol
I love my earlier RC8, suspension needed sorting out for the road (way too stiff for bumpy roads) but the engine is stonking, love the mid range grunt. Despite some injuries it’s still comfortable for a sports bike, I can’t see myself changing it for a long time.
Rode one back in 2013 and thought was most comfortable sport bike I've ridden lots of fun to ride as well.
This is still the only superbike with fully adjustable ergonomics to date.
Why other manufacturers haven't cottoned on to the simple mounting points and spacers is beyond me.
If they had put the 1290 engine in it, I would still have one today. The chassis was amazing.
Only bike I've ever regretted selling.
Chris is the best dude ever, whatever bike you bring, he will find something he likes 😂
Great video you bring an awful lot of experience and enthusiasm to this series with of course James for letting you ride the awesome bikes ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️ from northern Ireland
Absolute nail on the head on so many points!!
The only motorcycle that is a sculpture on 2 wheels....!!! Apart the 916 ( and I know its a bold statement)....this is a, from a design point of view...., unique!!! Absolutely unique!!!
Ah yea, the bike that got copied off of the HONDA NR750.
Awesome lads. I remember seeing one for the first time thinking, yup. Checks out. That is definitely a KTM superbike hahah! Another bike you can tell how much you genuinely love. Top work mate.
I remember seeing 1 when they first came out bright orange & totally different to anything else, great
My All time favorite bike. Thank you for the awesome video. Cheers
Thanks Chris What a great bike, Just your description tells me this bike would be at the top of the heap for me as well. Cheers from New Zealand
I had a test ride of the RC8 when it came out and I wish I had traded in my R6 for it now but I wasn't ready for the extra power. I remember the handling was fantastic and it had loads of torque 👍
It's rare for a manufacturer to enter a market and get the product right first time, but I think KTM did it with the RC8R. It's a shame the factory didn't develop it and field a WSBK team.
What about 1098/1198? Pretty similar as also trellis framed. Great vid as always!
I own a 1st gen rc390 and I love it for similar reasons you mention except it does need more power. I have modified the suspension so it is more adjustable and upsets a few big bikes on track. I also own a 1990 Fzr1000r Exup. You need to ride one of these. It was my dream bike thanks to Performance bikes magazine back in 1990.
I'm 53 grown up numerically but never mentally still a child who thinks wheelie's are big and clever! 🤣🤣🔥🔥
That is one good looking bike I prefer the 08 all orange one.
I lusted after one of these back in the day but the only thing i could afford to come away from the KTM dealership was an orange toaster.
Nice bike look awesome in blue and redbull graphics
Awesome bike 🙌🏻 love the big v-twins 🔥
Nicely said Chris - a great bike 😎
Very nice bike. Never took off that model.
I wish we had a bike specialist here
Chris if I had the money I honestly would buy you one and hopefully you would make a bunch of videos of it
Fantastic video!
Let’s be honest bike guys like you are I we never really grow up, because still have one of the childest hobbies ever.
You need to get out on that sxv 550 he’s got
I love kTm😁.
He needs to do an overview on the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
I'm the same Chris, always had the chubbs for the RC8. But have heard a number of mechanical horror stories. Topped by one this Saturday from an ex owner who spent thousands a couple of times only to move it on after excess smoke started coming out the exhaust for a third time! Don't know about you but I don't have the money or time to deal with that
This is the one that got away from. If I had to the dealership 1 hour earlier.
When this bike was launched it had a sound way too close to a Britten V1000 and I always thought that KTM would buy the rights to build a 1290 KTM Britten V1000 both as a road version and a track bike.
It would be nice if that happens.
I had the rc8 none R and it was the best handling track bike i had but the normal rc8 was way underpowerd imo.
I have the twin spark revision R and it could do with a bit more power.
But it's one of those deceptive bikes.
I stepped straight off an 03 RSV-R (last of the chunky Milles) and the sensation of speed was greater on the Mille, despite the KTM having a dyno measured 36hp advantage and lighter weight.
nice 👍🏻🔥💯💪🏻
Love these videos. But man do those roads look thin and bumpy as shit.
How do you compare it with the beast Superduke R Chris?
When u gonna take the v4 superleggera out chris
Any chance you have a Buell 1125 kicking around for Chris to test? It and the 1100 hypermotard are two bikes that brought out my inner hooligan every ride
The 1100 hyper is one of our favourite bikes, I used to ride into London on one every day, best commuter bike ever. Al 😂
KTM was worth 3 billion. Now it's worth 1 billion. There's a reason for that. Eff Keine Tausend Meter 😏
Idk why KTM stopped manufacturing this bike. They could have also brought up other bikes belonging to RC.
Poor sales and a shifting market.
People were starting to turn their backs on superbikes and KTM were having financial woes around this time.
Throw in the lingering after effects of the 2007-2008 global financial crisis and a strong Euro against other currencies and I suppose it didn't make sense.
The story about superbikes being too dangerous for the road from the KTM CEO was complete crap as they were working on making the Superduke even more powerful than the RC8R.
It was a financial decision, pure and simple.
Why oh why do I live in a house w/o a garage.
akrapovick
@@geckygeck8999 And?
it's not "akrapovik", mate
🤷♂️
If I had money to burn I’d buy a 1390 superduke and pull the engine and put it in a rc8
Sounds like our next project!
Excellent again. Really like the adjustability of the bike. It's such a shame that modern sports bikes aren't the same. To ugly for me. Has to be my 1098s 👍 as you are such a top rider, maybe 1098r .
Looks amazing, modern KTM’s are god awful looking…
No idea the hype on this bike.
It's all about the absolute rawness. 175hp and 91lb/ft with 0 rider aids it makes early 2000's liter bikes feel tame.
Unique looks, superb chassis and adjustable ergonomics.
Oh and it has a genuine 90ft/lbs of torque at the rear wheel, delivered by 7500rpm and is comfortable enough for me (6'5", all arms and legs) to do 200 miles with only fuel stops.
Unfortunately the early RC8 was full of teething problems and the BMW S1000RR and Ducati Panigale were just around the corner.