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• Hello, KTM super athletes!
• Basic trust from the first corner
• Last but not least
• Data KTM 1190 RC8
• Interview with Hubert Trunkenpolz (KTM Board Member Sales and Marketing)

Artist

27 photos

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First pictures of the prototype.

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KTM develops a super sports car: V2 with 1150 cubic meters.

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Gate say

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At the end of August 2007, spyshots of the prototype first appeared on Austria’s streets.

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First pictures of the prototype.

Gate say

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The Erlkonig already has a distinctive rear: the indicator arrangement was particularly noticeable.

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First pictures of the prototype.

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First pictures of the prototype.

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First pictures of the prototype.

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First pictures of the prototype.

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Driving report KTM 1190 RC8

Hello, KTM super athletes!

“We are ready now!” Mattighofen’s announcement for the last step from the terrain onto the asphalt is bursting with self-confidence. With the RC8, the Austrians send a hearty greeting to both sides of the Alps.

A.On the road! «This is how many KTM employees are experiencing the presentation of the first KTM super sports car, the 1190 RC8. In view of the many details that turn the street athlete into a thoroughbred racer in no time at all, “out of the box on the slopes” would be just as suitable. The mirrors with the integrated turn signals are mounted on the inside of the fairing support and do not leave any ugly holes in the fairing when removed. The license plate holder including the direction indicator can be removed in two easy steps, and the seat cushion is only attached to the solo hump when required.

Here on the demanding Ascari course in Ronda, Andalusia, there is of course no need in this regard. Instead, loosened four screws and raised the rear frame by 20 millimeters, moved the footrests far up and to the rear, perhaps the rear was raised a little via an eccentric, the radial brake and clutch levers adjusted, the multifunction cockpit set to racing mode (last lap, best lap, top speed et cetera) drilled. Then nothing reminds you of the StVZO. The RC8 is “ready to race” like no other production motorcycle.

Different tires, setup tinkering? Not necessary in this case. The Pirelli Supercorsa (120/70 and 190/55) impress with their unbelievable range both on Spanish country roads and on the racetrack. And the tip from the KTM people to keep the standard setup on the slopes was spot on. It works so well that the additionally offered sports setup presumably serves the own ego in most cases, but not the actual requirements of the driver and the route.

So standard, and because the KTM squad means well, there’s Pirelli Supercorsa in a sticky SC2 mixture after warming up. Nothing should go wrong now. And if it does, “the RC8 has both crash pads on the tank and an exhaust which, thanks to its position under the engine, not only optimizes the center of gravity, but also practically never breaks in a crash.” Interview press spokesman Thomas Kuttruf, who likes it himself turns on the gas on the racetrack.

Basic trust from the first corner

Artist

KTM 1190 RC8 in abundance.

There are motorcycles that you never open up. Others take days. On the KTM, it’s done after two corners. Because the 1190 (which is actually just an 1148), unlike some others, fulfills the two basic duties of a modern, powerful sports motorcycle from the first meter. Firstly, it creates a kind of basic trust with its handy, precise WP chassis, which provides reliable information about the grip status of the tires. And secondly, the bearish 75-degree V2 practically takes away the fear of the possible bursts of force when exiting the pit lane, which threatens in view of 155 hp (at 10,000 rpm) and 120 Newton meters (at 8,000 rpm). Because it accelerates spontaneously, but not suddenly like the Ducati-Twin of the 1098. There is also a second, even more important point: The Austria-V2 turns absolutely predictable and linearly up to the limiter (at 10800 rpm).

The happy synthesis of both properties: a model of efficiency. So calmly fast, so unspectacularly oblique, so relaxed from one braking point to the next one has seldom been on a motorcycle.

Artist

Informed: Lots of information on the dashboard, but the digital tachometer is certainly not making its breakthrough in the RC8 either.

The RC8 remains astonishingly relaxed with both wheels on the ground both when applying the throttle heartily (with a fine feeling for the considerable rear wheel grip) and during brilliant braking maneuvers with the powerful, one-piece Brembo calipers. What could make one or the other doubt the promised performance. However, the Austrians assert that they measured up to 157 hp on the clutch. That corresponds to a good 160 hp on the crankshaft and thus exactly the benchmark that the competition from Bologna has proclaimed for itself, but which was not able to maintain consistently in the series. Only the test bench can, of course, provide final clarity in this matter. In view of the convincing performance, MOTORRAD has no doubts that the engine, which is 49 cubic centimeters larger than the 1098, is at the best of strength and health.

If this kind of fitness is communicated not only through powerful propulsion, but also through noticeable vibrations, the RC8-V2 can be said to be in good shape anyway. The vibs are always there ?? but rarely annoying. Tingling is more noticeable in the multi-adjustable footrests than in the height-adjustable handlebars. Only on the country road, where the driver feels just as comfortable thanks to the moderate ergonomics as on the racetrack, are the vibrations perceived as a little annoying. On the other hand, the flood of cockpit information in road mode (remaining range display, outside temperature and much more, easy to operate from the handlebars) and the wasp waist are welcome there.

Last but not least

Artist

Light, strong and independent: the KTM 1190 RC8 doesn’t have to hide from the top dog Ducati.

But just like on the racetrack, the outstanding quality of the RC8 also remains in civil life: So drivable, so predictable, so efficient has not so much power been offered before? at least not with a two-cylinder.

The RC8 is both a great road sweeper and a real racer. If you take the fine features into account, the admittedly impressive price of 16195 euros seems quite justified. If the RC8 saves the shape of the presentation right through to the showroom, that’s reason enough, not only for two-cylinder fans, to say “Servus” to the friendly KTM dealer. The top test appears in MOTORRAD 8/2008.

Data KTM 1190 RC8

engine
Water-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 75-degree V-engine, crankshaft lying transversely, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves per cylinder, bucket tappets, dry sump lubrication, injection, Ø 52 mm, regulated catalytic converter, 450 W alternator, 12 V battery / 11 Ah, hydraulically operated multi-disc oil bath clutch (anti-hopping), six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain, secondary ratio 37:17.
Bore x stroke 103.0 x 69.0 mm
Cubic capacity 1148 cm³
Compression ratio 12.5: 1
Rated output 113.8 kW (155 PS) at 10,000 rpm
Max. Torque 120 Nm at 8000 rpm

landing gear
Steel tubular frame, load-bearing motor, upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, central spring strut with lever system, adjustable spring base, rebound and compression damping, double disc brake at the front, Ø 320 mm, four-piston Fixed calipers, rear disc brake, Ø 220 mm, single-piston floating caliper
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 6.00 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 190/55 ZR 17

Dimensions + weights
Wheelbase 1430 mm, steering head angle 66.7 degrees, caster 90/92 mm, spring travel f / h 120/125 mm, dry weight 188 kg, tank capacity / reserve 16.5 / 3.5 liters.
Two year guarantee
Colors black, orange, white
Price 15595 euros
Additional costs 200 euros

Interview with Hubert Trunkenpolz (KTM Board Member Sales and Marketing)

How important is the 1190 RC8 in the KTM model range?
We are now playing in the Champions League for the first time with the RC8, which is why it is particularly important to our brand. The superbike segment with its high technical and sporting demands is made for the KTM brand. To prove ourselves here is a huge incentive for all of us.

What quantities of the RC8 are being considered, how many can the German market take?
Around 5000 units are planned for the RC8. According to our planning, around 700 of these vehicles will be on the German market.

A KTM without racing is hard to imagine. What is the short and medium term planning for the RC8??
This year we will gain valuable experience with a factory-supported team in the Superstock World Cup. A number of activities are also planned at the national level. Everything else is currently under observation. This also applies to the further development of the Superbike World Championship, especially with regard to the rules.

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