Owned both the RC8 and RC8-R at the same time.
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I rode the RC8 to Bratislava one year (and over several mountain passes in Austria), and to Croatia and The Balkans the following year. Great bikes, adjustable handlebars, footpegs and subframe meant I could get it ergonomically comfortable for me. And unlike most bikes I have had, the thinly padded seat was excellent. The right width, length and base shape saw to that. Did a trackday at Blyton, and it was better than I thought it would be. Plenty of power, but mpg not brilliant, even when pootling along on back roads.
Riding the RC8 and RC8-R back to back, I could tell the difference immediately. The suspension and lightweight wheels made the R much nicer on bumpy roads. Still very comfy once the bars etc. were set up for me. And I fitted a Ventura system rack, simple to do and unobtrusive, and perfect for 10 days away with their 50 litre bag.
Not much to report as downsides really. My RC8 had 40,000 miles on it when I sold it, and it was still in excellent condition, so they can last. The plastic tanks can swell, forcing the use of rachet straps to get the tank off and on again. And they are noisy, even my RC8R with the standard exhaust system. My RC8 had a JTS end can, very loud indeed. And a bastard to change the headlamp bulb if I remember correctly.
Spares were not an issue, as there was a KTM dealer near me, which I had been using for some 40 odd year. Apart from oil filters spark plugs and a headlamp bulb, I didnt need anything else that I can recall.
Didn't have the RC8-R long as bought it shortly before I decided to move from the UK, and getting either registered here would not be easy.
Only seen one out here, and that was being banged off of the rev limiter for about 10 minutes at the pre Valencia MotoGP party in Cheste a few years ago.
Oh, and I bought both of mine, a couple of years apart, from the same private seller.
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