KTM has also already addressed the issue of aftermarket bling with an array of RC8 PowerParts. These include a full Akrapovic titanium race exhaust, race stands, tire warmers, a tire pressure/temperature monitoring system, reverse gear linkage, carbon-fiber bodywork (or a fiberglass bodywork kit that is easier on your wallet), Dymag carbon wheels, forged aluminum or magnesium Marchesini wheels to replace the already pretty light standard cast-alloy numbers specially made for KTM by the Brembo-owned Italian manufacturer, and so on. But apart from the race exhaust and the ECU chip to go with it, there are no power-up performance parts for the RC8 motor-yet.
[The unfortunate part of this story for U.S. enthusiasts is that the RC8 won't make it into American showrooms as an '08 model. KTM will manufacture 2500 examples of this base-level version of the RC8 in 2008, but "by the time we would be able to get units to dealers in the U.S. it would already be June or July, and the '09 model would be just around the corner," states Tom Moen, KTM North America's media relations manager. "It just makes more sense to wait a bit and have the '09 models right off the production line. The '09 RC8 in American guise should be available around August, no later than September of this year." -Ed.]
Although it's only being discussed within the KTM management at this time, there's a good chance we can expect the debut of an upgraded version of the RC8 as well as a full 1200cc RC8R race-ready version with which KTM will launch a full-on attack on the FIM Superstock World Cup in a year or so. The RC8R will also provide the basis for KTM to go superbike racing in countries like the U.S. and Germany before joining in the World Superbike arena-most likely in 2010-with a full-race twin-injector engine that's already under development. There's also a naked bike in the works based on the Venom concept bike displayed back in 2004, though don't hold your breath for that to arrive in KTM showrooms anytime soon. But for sure there'll be an 1190 Adventure, because one reason KTM opted to retain the 75-degree engine architecture was to fit a 21-inch front wheel in a dual-purpose model application. And those are just the ones we know about.
The future's bright . . . orange. And the RC8 is where it all begins.
'08 KTM RC8 1190
MSRP: $NA
Engine
Type: Liquid-cooled, 75-deg., DOHC, 4-stroke V-twin
Displacement: 1148cc
Bore x stroke: 103 x 69mm
Compression ratio: 12.5:1
Induction: Keihin electronic fuel injection, 52mm throttle bodies, single injector/cyl.
Chassis
Front tire: 120/70ZR-17 Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa Pro
Rear tire: 190/55ZR-17 Pirelli Dragon Supercorsa Pro
Rake/trail: 23.3 deg./3.5 in. (90mm)
Wheelbase: 56.3 in. (1430mm)
Fuel capacity: 4.3 gal. (16.5L)
Claimed wet weight: 437 lb. (198kg)