KTM RC 8C 2024 test at the Portimao GP track

Many of you may still remember the RC8 from back in the day, as it was the last superbike to come out of KTM. Many years ago, it marked the removal of the last true supersports bike from the lineup, despite successful engagement in road racing all the way up to MotoGP. With the RC 8C, KTM now has a supersports bike back in the game, even though this is a strictly limited edition of only 100 units and it has no road registration. The similarities to the original RC8 are also limited to the name only, as the concept differs significantly. First of all, the bike is built exclusively for the race track and is not road legal. But in return, it's a pure racing bike that lives up to KTM's slogan "Ready to Race" to 100%, arriving fully equipped straight from the showroom with all the necessary racing parts. You can find out exactly what's packed into the RC 8C here: KTM RC8C 2024.

This time, we want to take a closer look at the "Ready to Race" philosophy and how well it's been implemented. To do so, we attended KTM's own "Ultimate Track Experience" event, where we could put the bike through its paces in its natural habitat. This event, incidentally, is primarily designed for proud RC 8C owners, who could get to know their RC 8C in every aspect under the guidance of a KTM technical crew and renowned instructors like Alex Hofmann and Mika Kallio. With the GP track at Portimao, we also had hallowed ground at our disposal, plus a race track with a very appealing layout. The schedule was superbly organized and allowed each participant 6 turns of 20 minutes spread throughout the day, evening program included.

But now to the most important point: how does the bike actually ride.

It rides exactly how you'd expect from a racing bike weighing just 143kg - like a 125 though with 135 hp. Thanks to the very narrow-built 890 two-cylinder inline engine, which we already know from other KTM bikes albeit with simpler components, the result is also an extremely slim build, so that the 125-like impression sets in right from the seating position and the very first time you throw a leg over it. The moment you get moving, the agile and very precise riding performance immediately stands out, allowing the rider to take different lines through combinations of corners. Thanks to the very stable chassis and the taut suspension setup, there's also the option of tightening the radius even further by rolling off the throttle if needed. This is particularly helpful for less experienced riders in correcting a slightly botched turn-in point.

Of course, such a stable setup doesn't come with only advantages. The limit is pushed out very far - which is of great benefit to the professional, but makes it harder for the average rider to gauge that limit. In addition, such stiff setups tend to chatter over bumps, though this can be reduced by using softer tire carcasses, like the Pirelli slick we used. Nevertheless, even the average rider benefits from the crystal-clear feedback, even if they first need to get used to the minimal movement in the chassis. The engine also helps out the less experienced pilot with its good-natured character, delivering solid drive even from lower revs and translating the 135 hp well thanks to its soft throttle response. The fact that it's not packing one of the 200 hp units common today even helps many riders, since working up the nerve to twist the throttle wide open becomes considerably easier, meaning more power is actually put down at corner exit than with the extremely powerful superbikes.

The rider aids, adjustable across a wide range - TC, WC, EB, etc. - support this further and give an added sense of security when exploring the limit. Throttle response can also be adapted to different rider preferences, and the most direct setting can be used without any issues. In the softer setting, you have to twist the throttle quite far before the engine delivers the desired output. Thanks to the clear AIM display, all information is presented clearly and can easily be adjusted on the fly via the well-positioned buttons. The quickshifter also offers full support, allowing shifting up and down at will without using the clutch. This works smoothly too, though in the partial-load range some shifts could be a bit softer. When downshifting quickly, the drivetrain gets additional support from the built-in anti-hopping clutch, which reliably prevents wheel hop of the rear wheel during this phase. This further supports the already very precise turn-in behavior and helps achieve very late braking points.

On this bike, you'll find everything a racer's heart desires, and not just while riding. The RC 8C features plenty of useful parts that also make life easier in the pit box. Chief among them are the quick-change devices for the tires. Thanks to the use of small 290mm brake discs, the front tire can even be changed without removing the brake calipers. Despite the smaller discs, braking performance is still sufficient, and it can be adjusted to many rider preferences thanks to the adjustable Corsa Corta brake pump from Brembo. Through the clever placement of easily replaceable crash pads in all the right spots, damage is kept to a minimum even in the event of a crash - unless the bike hits the tarmac via a highsider and triple somersault. Thanks to the built-in GPS puck, lap times are also displayed without any additional equipment, and with the data recorded in the background, all relevant channels and riding states can also be reviewed afterward in the pit box. The tank, positioned under the seat, also made it easy to implement a fuel drain option, turning the so-called "fuel weighing" into child's play and allowing the bike to be brought to the start with the absolute minimum amount of fuel.

And the fully adjustable seating position helps riders of different sizes set up their workspace. So it can be fully confirmed that with the RC 8C, the "Ready to Race" philosophy isn't just something printed in a brochure.

One bitter pill remains though, namely that with only 100 units produced, the racer is already sold out. At this point it hardly matters anymore that the RC 8C, at around €46,000, isn't exactly a bargain. Still, there's a silver lining for anyone interested. Next year, KTM will bring the RC8R back to the road as a production bike with the 990 engine, fully homologated. And for anyone still looking for a ready-built race bike, it can already be revealed that the road-legal supersports bike will also be available again in a "Ready to Race" version with the added name "Track." Sounds familiar from the namesake, the 1190 RC8, doesn't it?

The good old times are back again…