Discussion
Bob-iylho said:
Last bike was an Aprilia RS250 sold in 2007.
Now want to get back into it. I want a sports bike, I'm 56 but very fit and heathy, would love a KTM RC8R.
Simple question, is it going to scare the s
tters out of me?
No, it’s pretty comfy and not as ballistic as the 200 bhp sports bikes.Now want to get back into it. I want a sports bike, I'm 56 but very fit and heathy, would love a KTM RC8R.
Simple question, is it going to scare the s
tters out of me?Foot pegs have a high and low position but also do does the entire rear subframe.
Go for the latest RC8R you can. The last had a slipper clutch which was a must.
If you ever want to go near a track with one, check the exhaust. Pretty much anything other than standard to normally too loud.
I really miss mine. Glorious thing. Absolute torque monster.
Go for the latest RC8R you can. The last had a slipper clutch which was a must.
If you ever want to go near a track with one, check the exhaust. Pretty much anything other than standard to normally too loud.
I really miss mine. Glorious thing. Absolute torque monster.
Good Rs are becoming hard to find.... so if you find a good one snatch it up! Their values are strong, and I think you will not loose anything on it.
I've got a non-R. Its massively adjustable. While I've got aftermarket rearsets (came on the bike with the stock ones in a bag), the stock ones are adjustable too. You can adjust the shock height, the rear subframe the bars and the rearsets. May take some time to find the perfect setup, but I'm 6'7 and with the settings dialled up it fits me well.
Personally, I'd try find one with the full Akro. Although you will not even be allowed near a UK racetrack with it.
I've got a non-R. Its massively adjustable. While I've got aftermarket rearsets (came on the bike with the stock ones in a bag), the stock ones are adjustable too. You can adjust the shock height, the rear subframe the bars and the rearsets. May take some time to find the perfect setup, but I'm 6'7 and with the settings dialled up it fits me well.
Personally, I'd try find one with the full Akro. Although you will not even be allowed near a UK racetrack with it.
I have a 2010 (1st generation with single spark) RC8R
I love the bike, lots of character and incredible real world performance. The "best" exhaust if the full titanium akra (evo 1 or evo 4), but i just bought one for £1,500 so be prepared to pay extra for a bike with one installed.
Echo the comments above, they are rare but worth the wait for a good one. I also have a Gixxer 750 but it is not a patch on the RC8R
I love the bike, lots of character and incredible real world performance. The "best" exhaust if the full titanium akra (evo 1 or evo 4), but i just bought one for £1,500 so be prepared to pay extra for a bike with one installed.
Echo the comments above, they are rare but worth the wait for a good one. I also have a Gixxer 750 but it is not a patch on the RC8R
Bob-iylho said:
Last bike was an Aprilia RS250 sold in 2007.
Now want to get back into it. I want a sports bike, I'm 56 but very fit and heathy, would love a KTM RC8R.
Simple question, is it going to scare the stters out of me?
It has more than 3x the power and you haven't ridden for 14 yearsNow want to get back into it. I want a sports bike, I'm 56 but very fit and heathy, would love a KTM RC8R.
Simple question, is it going to scare the s
tters out of me?What could possibly go wrong
KTMsm said:
Bob-iylho said:
Last bike was an Aprilia RS250 sold in 2007.
Now want to get back into it. I want a sports bike, I'm 56 but very fit and heathy, would love a KTM RC8R.
Simple question, is it going to scare the stters out of me?
It has more than 3x the power and you haven't ridden for 14 yearsNow want to get back into it. I want a sports bike, I'm 56 but very fit and heathy, would love a KTM RC8R.
Simple question, is it going to scare the s
tters out of me?What could possibly go wrong
I'll just pipe up as the OP.
I've had a few bikes, the RS was the last, I turned my nose up at it when offered it as it was a poxy 250.
I rode it as a "courtesy" to the seller, and bought it immediately, the most fun bike I've riden. I think looking at bikes in terms of bhp is slightly irrelevant especially with a 2 stroke bike.
I'm not a nutter, I'm 56, I accept it's a step up and not something I should have had at 20 as there would be a high chance of death, at 56 I'll take the lower risk versus fun as part of life.
I've had a few bikes, the RS was the last, I turned my nose up at it when offered it as it was a poxy 250.
I rode it as a "courtesy" to the seller, and bought it immediately, the most fun bike I've riden. I think looking at bikes in terms of bhp is slightly irrelevant especially with a 2 stroke bike.
I'm not a nutter, I'm 56, I accept it's a step up and not something I should have had at 20 as there would be a high chance of death, at 56 I'll take the lower risk versus fun as part of life.
black-k1 said:
How many people have had something actually go wrong as a direct result of the power of any given mainstream road bike? A number of people seem to get scared by headline bhp figures but the reality is that most find more powerful bikes easier to ride.
I thought the stats showed that one of the biggest groups of bikers being killed was the 50 somethings coming back to biking and buying sports bikesI sold a 990 superduke after finding I was riding it too fast - coming after a 690 Duke, a year later I did the same with a 150bhp FZ1S, I was just riding it too fast, both for my license and my ability
I've found a 990SM is right for me - obviously everyone is different but I can't help but use the power available and 175bhp is a lot of power to get used to after a 14 year break IMO
Lucky enough to own and ride both the RC8 (non R) with some trick bits and also a S1000RR (Gen 3).
The KTM wins hands down if I want to enjoy the day whilst the BMW is quicker, easier and more forgiving.
Point of my post - the KTM just has so much more character than many other litre motorcycles in its category.
The KTM wins hands down if I want to enjoy the day whilst the BMW is quicker, easier and more forgiving.
Point of my post - the KTM just has so much more character than many other litre motorcycles in its category.
Bob-iylho said:
I'll just pipe up as the OP.
I've had a few bikes, the RS was the last, I turned my nose up at it when offered it as it was a poxy 250.
I rode it as a "courtesy" to the seller, and bought it immediately, the most fun bike I've riden. I think looking at bikes in terms of bhp is slightly irrelevant especially with a 2 stroke bike.
I'm not a nutter, I'm 56, I accept it's a step up and not something I should have had at 20 as there would be a high chance of death, at 56 I'll take the lower risk versus fun as part of life.
The RC8R looks and reads like an amazing motorcycle and may not lose much, if at all, on depreciation. I've had a few bikes, the RS was the last, I turned my nose up at it when offered it as it was a poxy 250.
I rode it as a "courtesy" to the seller, and bought it immediately, the most fun bike I've riden. I think looking at bikes in terms of bhp is slightly irrelevant especially with a 2 stroke bike.
I'm not a nutter, I'm 56, I accept it's a step up and not something I should have had at 20 as there would be a high chance of death, at 56 I'll take the lower risk versus fun as part of life.
It seems good ones are priced at £9-£11K. If you're going to spend that much I'd suggest also trying out a new Duke 890, or Duke 890R. The 790 Duke is very 'flickable'. I've probably done 150 miles on 790 Dukes, and while it's a lovely machine, on one of the rides I was on a NSL dual carriageway with good sight lines and I was in a hurry to get somewhere, I couldn't really go any faster for fear of getting caught. There are also possible dashcams curtailing many opportunities to use the available performance. I found the accessible torque and size made me feel more confident when filtering past stationary or slowly moving traffic.
You mentioned fun when it came to the RS250 and the risk versus fun factor.
Which roads are you going to use the RC8R on?
I am not comparing the RC8R to the Duke 790/890/890R but if you like light, responsive, flickable motorcycles I suggest you try one. They've the safety net of a 6 axis IMU that gives lean sensitive ABS. It seems the dry weights are 184KG for the RC8R and 166KG for the 890R.
Yes, I know I've compared a 'Sports' bike to a 'Naked'.
There's probably a quality, ownership experience trade off between a RC8R range topper and newer, more recent KTMs built elsewhere.
Edited by carinaman on Friday 2nd July 22:42
Probably your ideal photo? You will have a cracking collection but you need a 3rd bike to make it work. A Perfect 3 bike collection ? .
I don't own that collection now but make your own mind up and get them purchased. Get the later Rc8r model with twin spark regardless of what people say it is the best model.
They did a last version with a slipper clutch and magnesium wheels which sold from 2014 through stock as late as 2017 but they are rare and not worth waiting for unless your fortunate.
The only decision you need to make is black or white as that's your only choice for this model .
Super smooth and multi adjustable with nothing this side of a panigale v twin to resemble its linear torque curve. Its a pleasure to ride and like no other .
I don't own that collection now but make your own mind up and get them purchased. Get the later Rc8r model with twin spark regardless of what people say it is the best model.
They did a last version with a slipper clutch and magnesium wheels which sold from 2014 through stock as late as 2017 but they are rare and not worth waiting for unless your fortunate.
The only decision you need to make is black or white as that's your only choice for this model .
Super smooth and multi adjustable with nothing this side of a panigale v twin to resemble its linear torque curve. Its a pleasure to ride and like no other .
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