2012 KTM 1190 RC8 R

The baddest bike in the KTM line-up certainly needs no introduction. Not when KTM designers pulled out all the stops to ensure that it keeps its menacing reputation in the industry.

That’s what the 1190 RC8 R is all about. The bike comes loaded with one of the most powerful V2 engines of our times and one of the best chassis in the world. And the best part: the bike is completely street-legal.

The RC8 R not only offers extraordinarily relaxed ergonomics for all its supreme sportiness, but it also comes with more setting options than any other series production super bike, including the footrests, each with two positional variants, the foot levers with variable lever operating angle and lever length, the seats, hand levers, and a two-height adjustable handlebar.

Mechanically speaking, the 1190 RC8 R boasts of an insanely powerful V2 twin-engine that produces a mighty output of 173 horsepower. The KTM engine impresses with an extremely broad rev range and spontaneous throttle response, while supplying supreme ride quality. If you’re looking for reasons as to why the RC8 R has such an impressive engine, look no further than the state-of-the-art cylinder heads with twin plug ignition, flow-optimized ducts and cam follower drive, each with two overhead camshafts for four valves, as well as the electronic Keihin engine management system with twin throttle valves that regulate the modern electronic fuel injection system on the RC8 R. This features focuses on maximum power with predictable engine characteristics and spontaneous responsiveness with controllable throttle response.

Handling is also an important part of the RC8 R package, thanks to an intricately made light alloy swing arm that contributes in providing outstanding traction of the RC8 R. The position of the swingarm can be adjusted by means of an eccentric on the lever linkage, allowing for minimized compression and preventing squatting anytime the bike accelerates out of corners.

The intricately made light alloy swingarm makes a significant contribution to the outstanding traction of the RC8 R. The position of the swingarm can be adjusted by means of an eccentric on the lever linkage. In this way, compression can be minimized and squatting prevented when accelerating out of corners.

The sophisticated internal mechanism of the WP shock absorber on the RC8 R completely isolates the rebound damping from the compression stage, so that both can be adjusted without affecting one another. The compression damping can also be set for high speed and low speed. The suspension set-up range extends comfortably to racing conditions.

The set-up ranges on the RC8 R’s high-quality, upside-down forks from WP Suspension extend - separately for spring basis as well as the damping’s rebound and compression stages - from country road comfort to tough racing conditions. A WP steering damper keeps the forks on track, even in extreme conditions.