Motorcycle specifications KTMRC 8C 890 2023 A pure track machine

When the first RC 8C was released, KTM brought a very different bike into the hands of riders. Neither a 600 with a hysterical engine, nor a hypersport 1000 with insane power, still less a production bike in the style of a CBR, Daytona, R1 or GSX-R - no, much sportier and more incisive: it was almost a prototype, a fusion between a Moto2 machine and an 890 Duke, with a chassis for seasoned racers.

An immediate success (the 100 units sold out in less than 5 minutes), KTM is proposing a new batch of this sports bike for 2023, with a number of improvements. Krämer Motorcycles, a small German manufacturer specializing in circuit bikes, has once again been asked to design the RC 8C phase 2. While the fairing only gets a new paint job, it's under the skin that the machine has evolved. Starting with a stronger engine in its guts.

The first step was to take the 889 cm3 parallel twin of the Duke, Adventure and SMT. Next, turn it into a racing machine by fitting new titanium valves and connecting rods, using only two rings per piston, increasing the compression ratio, fitting a larger fuel injection unit, and reinforcing the fuel pump and fuel pressure. The result is a 7-horsepower gain over the previous RC 8C. Combined with a new Akrapovic titanium exhaust, power now reaches 135 hp at 11,000 rpm. As a reminder, this block spits out 121 hp on the 890 Duke R. Boosted, raced and "racing-ized", it's now ready to climb to 12,000 rpm.

This stable would make the 200 to 220 big-sport grunts laugh!?! Not for long once you're into the vibrators. The RC 8C weighs just 142 dry (two more than before). Once filled up and ready to attack, it's about 50 kilos lighter than the monsters of the circuit. Get ready for breathtaking corner entry and cornering speeds. Enough to make everyone's insides turn, all the time.

From one RC 8C to the next, the engine has lost a little torque, but it still sends out 10 mkg at 8,250 rpm. On its way to the rear transmission, it will encounter a smaller, lighter anti-dribble clutch, held in place by harder springs. In the interests of greater reliability, the staff increased the clutch preload, removed the upper balance shaft, readjusted the crankcase balance shaft and installed a Pankl oil cooler.

against all expectations, the suspension settings are softer. KTM has softened the damping to give the rider more feel. It has also taken the opportunity to review the WP elements. The Apex Pro 7643 inverted fork gets a new internal piston and spring system. The Apex Pro 7746 shock absorber features new slow and fast compression settings. Although it's not Öhlins as found on most premium sportbikes, WP isn't kidding the customer: this is the lightest and most advanced shock absorber in the brand's catalog. And it's developed exclusively for racing. An adjustable steering damper is also included.

To hang them up, the RC 8C is fitted with a special frame, whose steering column can be adjusted to an angle of + or - 1°. Yes, a machine like this can be adjusted in all directions. The fork, its inclination, the offset of the tees, the half-guidons, the neoprene seat, the footrests and the electronics.
The rider can choose between two injection mappings: rain or dry. No headaches - either it's sunny or it's raining, but you weld. Version 2 of the RC 8C introduces a new traction control slip setting and engine brake management. The dashboard also announces that it has changed... However, the 5-inch AIM MXS 1.2 Race instrumentation is still there. A veritable little telemetry system with GPS speed display, stopwatch, lap counter, data logger and post-roll analyzer. The AIM Race Studio software lets you consult speed, lap times, throttle opening, engine stats, bike position on the track to check trajectories, etc. for each lap.
And let's not forget the Up&Down shifter and pit lane speed limiter.

With the exception of suspension and electronics upgrades, the Katoche's most pistardic bike retains its structural elements. The same goes for the brakes, which are very generous with Stylema calipers, Brembo 19 RCS Corsa Corta master cylinders with 3 levels of attack, and 290 mm discs. That may not sound as bleeding as the 330 mm of a Panigale V4. Don't forget that the RC 8C weighs half a quintal less. And smaller discs reduce the gyroscopic effect, which means better handling. When you also see that the Dymag UP7X wheels are forged aluminum and shod with Pirelli Diablo Superbike slick tires, you instantly expect a mixture of hysterical raptor in the corners and glue once inside.

The same goes for the very racing-style technical solutions, such as the fuel tank integrated into the rear loop, with a filler hole at the end of the seat, the fins (with a little more support) and the carbon fairing, the aerodynamic spoiler at the edge of the rear tire, the original inverted gearbox, the braked screws, various protections placed in the most endangered places, and even a special rear headlight for riding in the rain.

Once upon a time, KTM entered the hypersports fray with an 1190 RC8 featuring a powerful engine and excellent chassis. It failed to win over the market, but remained in the catalog for 8 years. Today, proud of its GP experience and proud of the "Ready to Race" spirit, the manufacturer transcends pure riding with an 890 RC 8C of breathtaking potential. The bitch will have trouble on the long straights against the monsters of the sector; but in curves, enfilades, small corners and trajectories, it will be unaffordable.

As expected, the 2023 endowment sold out very quickly. The 200 units sold out as quickly as a lap of the circuit. In 2m38s, it was sold out. The market for the 100% touring sports car seems to be in good shape.
The first 30 customers were treated with the utmost care. The official handover of their RC 8C was celebrated with an ultra-special track day at Valencia's Circuito Ricardo Tormo. Former Grand Prix racers offered riding lessons, while a full technical team from KTM and WP Suspension were on hand to adapt the bike's configuration to the circuit's 14 bends. Ready to Race, we say.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos