Motorcycle specifications KTMRC 8C 890 2022 A Moto2 on hand

Or almost. KTM has come up with an uncompromising, pure-bred product for the racetrack, ready to shred vibrators. It can be seen as a cousin of the RC16, the brand's MotoGP proto. Exclusive, ultra-typical, forged solely from racing inspiration, the RC 8C promises to be a formidable tool.

Immediately, you feel at home. Its design is based on that of the RC 16. A winner in the premier class, it has earned its stripes as a star and an example for the youngsters from Mattighofen. The Katoche DNA is evident throughout. The face leaves no doubt as to his desire to perform, with its eager mouth for air pressure and exuberant moustache. No attempt has been made to integrate winglets like on recent hypersports models(CBR 1000 RR-R, ZX-10R, RSV4) - here, they spill over, scorch the view, catch the edges and echo scuttles.

See no connection with the first RC-8. KTM's attempt to go hunting for the big sports bike was not as successful as had been hoped, despite a highly efficient chassis. The C in the name of this mid-size tracker could perfectly well stand for 'Compact'. This time, the brand's focus is on trajectory, slenderness, fine handling and a taut feel. The RC 8C boasts a reasonable 128 hp, but above all an exceptional weight: just 140 kilos! That's barely more than an Aprilia RS 125.

All of a sudden, you can imagine the machine slamming into every bend like a bullet, doing crazy interiors and teasing power ogres. Lightness is an unavoidable and unconditional asset. Fully fuelled and ready to go, it weighs in at just over 150 kilos.
The RC 8C promises to be a lively monster. In addition to its low weight, it features lightweight Dymag aluminum rims, brake discs smaller than the 1000 missiles (and therefore lighter), a wheelbase of just 1400 mm, adjustable fork offset (26 or 28 mm) and a caster angle of + or - 1 degree (in 0.5° increments).

to send its orange torpedo into interstitial combat, KTM has given it the 889 cm3 twin-cylinder of the 890 Duke R. To make it breathe better, it has been fitted with a special airbox, a racing air filter, a stainless-steel exhaust built by Krämer Motorcycles and a titanium Akrapovic silencer. All this adds up to a gain of 7 hp and 2 Nm of torque.
The advantage of not having tapped the engine is that you don't have to worry about maintenance and parts availability. But... what would it have been like with meaner camshafts, a few lighter moving parts, a higher compression ratio...?
Let's go back to simpler things, like engine mapping for example. There are only two - one for dry and one for wet. So, either it's sunny and you weld! Or it's raining, and you weld anyway, but the engine will settle down a bit.

On the RC 8C, the tank is just a cover. The real 16-liter tank is an integral part of the rear loop, and helps distribute the masses more evenly. Underneath, the chassis smells of fine-tuning and the knife between the teeth. Its special steel trellis frame is linked to a new aluminum-molded swingarm. The Austrians have pushed the envelope of detail with a carbon plate in front of the rear tire, similar to the appendix used in MotoGP - to cool the tire and add a little support. And aluminum side plates to hold protective wheels. And what about the lines?

shamelessly ! The "little" RC8 found its way into WP's special department, where the damping components for the RC16 are assembled. It didn't go so far as to take its very exclusive parts, but it did leave with a 43 mm APEX PRO 7543 inverted fork. Everything can be adjusted, including compression on the left fork side and rebound on the right. The all-aluminium fork is unique in that it has no hydraulic stroke limits. As a result, riders can constantly monitor damping properties.
The APEX PRO 7746 rear shock can also be adjusted in all directions, even in length, to modify the machine's attitude. Compression and rebound damping can be adjusted for high and low speeds.

Brembo is the natural candidate for brakes suited to the very racing use envisaged: Stylema calipers, controlled by a 19 RCS Corsa Corta master cylinder. In addition to the classic brake clearance adjustment, it offers three options for the "bite point", i.e. the point at which the brake is applied - by which we mean the point atwhich the calipers produce their effort.
- The Normal setting is more progressive, ideal when conditions are precarious
- In Sport, the bite point is shorter and the action faster
- In the Race setting, the response is immediate, just like on MotoGP machines.

Apart from the Up&Down shifter and the two engine maps, KTM hasn't really specified the RC 8C's electronic aids. Only the set of switches with a bit of explanation informs us that the type of mapping, engine braking and pit limiter can be set from the handlebars. On the other hand, we learn that the 5-inch TFT instrument panel is from AIM. The MXS 1.2 Race with integrated GPS records a whole host of data in RaceStudio for in-depth analysis of the rider's performance.
As in racing, a small rear light is fitted to provide "rain lighting".

Racing from start to finish, the RC 8C is equipped with a carbon front mudguard with quick-release system, a carbon-kevlar fairing (also quick-release), adjustable rear controls (over 66 mm), a seat height that can be adjusted to two levels by repositioning the rear buckle via an eccentric, a brake lever guard, and half-handlebars adjustable in height by 25 mm and in width by 30 mm. Once the ergonomics have been fine-tuned, the rider can move straight from the dealership to the track: the beast is shod with Pirelli Diablo Superbike SC1.

This kind of special series is often produced in limited numbers. This is also the case for the RC 8C, planned for 100 units worldwide (a far cry from the 500 produced for Superbike homologation). Hand-built for track-only use, this pistard promises great riding.

The KTM RC 8C was made available for pre-order on July 22 at 4.00 pm. Despite its selective 35,000-euro price tag, all copies were reserved in 4 min and 32 seconds - a better time than that of the Superduke 1290 RR, production of which was swallowed up in 48 minutes.

There will be a bonus for the first 25 purchasers of the 890 RC 8C. They will have the opportunity to join the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing test team at a unique customer event at the Jerez circuit. The day will include personal set-up with WP technicians, dinner, riding and advice from Mika Kallio and Dani Pedrosa.

All those who choose to try out the KTM RC 8C on track will receive a bonus KTM RC 8C pack dedicated to this discipline, containing :

- An extra set of Dymag wheels (front and rear)
- An extra set of front and rear brake discs
- Front and rear paddock stands
-heated blankets
- KTM race mat

M.B - Manufacturer's photos