RC8 ??

[Noggin]

@Mboy , I will definitely try one. More about the arm than anything. Until the monster I’d never been able to get more than toes on one foot on the floor.

I’m almost 5’8” and 32”inside leg. Always thought I had long legs till I started riding bikes

And I’ve not had all sensible bikes in the past, prefer things that need some thought etc. So will find one in the spring to try out

[mboy]

@Mboy , I will definitely try one. More about the arm than anything. Until the monster I’d never been able to get more than toes on one foot on the floor.

I’m almost 5’8” and 32”inside leg. Always thought I had long legs till I started riding bikes

And I’ve not had all sensible bikes in the past, prefer things that need some thought etc. So will find one in the spring to try out

Arm reach isn’t too big an issue as the clip ons have quite a lot of height adjustment… I ran mine in the highest position at all times, arguably closer to a sports tourer than full sports bike in this position as the bars came up above the top yoke like this…

You wouldn’t want to be any shorter to ride one I’d suggest… Drop the seat/tail unit into its lowest setting and you should be ok though…

Good luck with it all, definitely try one out first… Don’t hesitate to ask loads more questions though…

[Noggin]

@Mboy , I will definitely try one. More about the arm than anything. Until the monster I’d never been able to get more than toes on one foot on the floor.

I’m almost 5’8” and 32”inside leg. Always thought I had long legs till I started riding bikes

And I’ve not had all sensible bikes in the past, prefer things that need some thought etc. So will find one in the spring to try out

Arm reach isn’t too big an issue as the clip ons have quite a lot of height adjustment… I ran mine in the highest position at all times, arguably closer to a sports tourer than full sports bike in this position as the bars came up above the top yoke like this…

You wouldn’t want to be any shorter to ride one I’d suggest… Drop the seat/tail unit into its lowest setting and you should be ok though…

Good luck with it all, definitely try one out first… Don’t hesitate to ask loads more questions though…

It’s more arm angle than reach. Sports tourer types don’t seem to be comfortable - well, CBF1000, 990 Duke. I can make them more comfy by leaning forward to bend my elbows down more. Recently been trying out the CBF position by putting butt as far back as it’ll go on the rider seat and leaning down. This seemed better/less uncomfortable than the usual position. Hence thinking I’ll go for a sports bike.

I actually think that anything will hurt so it’s a case of JFDI - before I can’t or before I have to adapt the controls dramatically/make them LHD!!

Totally not fussed about only get tiptoes of one foot down - that’s normal to me!! But will 100% find one to try before I commit to anything!!


Thanx loads. And if/when I do go testing the list, there will be loads of questions on whichever bike I choose!!

[mboy]

It’s more arm angle than reach. Sports tourer types don’t seem to be comfortable - well, CBF1000, 990 Duke. I can make them more comfy by leaning forward to bend my elbows down more.

Well the definite plus you have with the RC8 there then is the adjustable bar height... Anywhere from the "near sports tourer" position that I favoured, down to feeling like you're holding the front axle with your teeth!

[Noggin]

It’s more arm angle than reach. Sports tourer types don’t seem to be comfortable - well, CBF1000, 990 Duke. I can make them more comfy by leaning forward to bend my elbows down more.

Well the definite plus you have with the RC8 there then is the adjustable bar height... Anywhere from the "near sports tourer" position that I favoured, down to feeling like you're holding the front axle with your teeth!

That proper made me laugh

But there is a good chance I might be able to find a position that doesn’t hurt ‘too’ much

[MrLongbeard]

I might be able to find a position that doesn’t hurt ‘too’ much

Fnarr

[Noggin]

I might be able to find a position that doesn’t hurt ‘too’ much

Fnarr

I so nearly changed how I wrote that. Then I sniggered and left it to amuse other silly minds

[Whysub]

I'm 5'7" with an 29" inside leg, and the bikes were fine for me, the adjustability helps enormously. The only issue I ever hsd was getting it out of a packed parking bay, as the lock isn't great.

My 08 RC8 had done well over 40,000 miles when I sold it (over 25,000 miles of that were mine), and I never had a problem at all that I can recall. The local KTM dealer used to remap the bike for me every year for me by hooking it up to their computer and leaving the bike running for 15 minutes. They used to do it after the shop closed, as it was a bit noisy to do it with the shop open. Never had any issue with low throttle control, and I occassional commuted it through East London (from Redbridge to Tower Hill).

Only managed to do 1000 miles or so on my 2012 RC8-R before moving abroad. Very similar, but different to the RC8 in many ways. I sold it to a mate who last year sold it to his brother, who has it on display in his car dealership. Its always a conversation starter with his customers.

I know there are reported problems, but thats true of many bikes, but they still get bought and sold.

At the time of owning my KTM's I also rode my employers bikes, which included S1000RR's, GSX-R 1000's, Fireblades, K1300S's VFR1200's (the most unreliable, horrendous bikes we ever had). I also owned a Guzzi, a Ducati, Aprilia RS250 and an SV650. Out of all of them, I'd have another RC8 above the others, but they are rare here. As I have mentioned, my local KTM dealer here told me he has never seen one, outside of his visit to the factory some years ago.

[Whysub]

I still have a couple of RC8's of sorts...

RC8's.jpg (274.1 KiB) Viewed 1432 times

[Whysub]

I know Screwd. I did move the Opel Calibre model I have out of the way in my last photo.

But here it is back in place just to feed your nightmares!!

Differents Scale Horror.jpg (154.9 KiB) Viewed 1403 times

[Whysub]

I "liked" the response above but that is not my recollection. I am 5'63/4 approximately and it fitted me ok.

Then again, I do like taller bikes. 34" seat height and a 29" inside leg? Suits you...

Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is that?

Did you ever finish your XR650(?) engined, Mito(?) framed bike? I remember the build well underway.

Don't still have the 'Blade you had off of me do you? For the life of me I can't remember the registration. Don't want it back, but remember the magazine article of your restoration of it. Great bike that, took me all over Europe and commuted into work (sorry for the thread derail Noggin)

[Noggin]

(sorry for the thread derail Noggin)

Don’t be daft. It’s still bikes

[Noggin]

I'm 5'7" with an 29" inside leg, and the bikes were fine for me, the adjustability helps enormously. The only issue I ever hsd was getting it out of a packed parking bay, as the lock isn't great.

My 08 RC8 had done well over 40,000 miles when I sold it (over 25,000 miles of that were mine), and I never had a problem at all that I can recall. The local KTM dealer used to remap the bike for me every year for me by hooking it up to their computer and leaving the bike running for 15 minutes. They used to do it after the shop closed, as it was a bit noisy to do it with the shop open. Never had any issue with low throttle control, and I occassional commuted it through East London (from Redbridge to Tower Hill).

Only managed to do 1000 miles or so on my 2012 RC8-R before moving abroad. Very similar, but different to the RC8 in many ways. I sold it to a mate who last year sold it to his brother, who has it on display in his car dealership. Its always a conversation starter with his customers.

I know there are reported problems, but thats true of many bikes, but they still get bought and sold.

At the time of owning my KTM's I also rode my employers bikes, which included S1000RR's, GSX-R 1000's, Fireblades, K1300S's VFR1200's (the most unreliable, horrendous bikes we ever had). I also owned a Guzzi, a Ducati, Aprilia RS250 and an SV650. Out of all of them, I'd have another RC8 above the others, but they are rare here. As I have mentioned, my local KTM dealer here told me he has never seen one, outside of his visit to the factory some years ago.

Was the RC8-R different good or different bad??

I know that is highly subjective (think that’s the right word!) but would be interesting to know how it was different

Never really been one to look for the R models (or other brand equivalent!) - half the time it seems like fancy suspension, and even before being arm-limited, I’m not sure I could ever have done justice to expensive suspension

But maybe it’s more than that on the RC8-R??

[Whysub]

My R was 2012 registered, but it was a late 2010 build, so didn't have the slipper clutch. It did have lighter forged wheels and uprated WP suspendion front and rear. I had it set up to take my weight by a KTM technician, which made it noticeably better than when I rode it in. Very similar to the RC8 on the road, but think the differences would be more noticeably on the track thsn on potholed roads.

A few more bhp ( but not sure you could notice them) and a few more cc. Thinking back, the clutch was less grabby than the standard bike, but I must have got used to the on/off nature of it, as only notice riding the two back to back.
Brakes were the same, maybe different pad compounds, but I never noticed a difference in them under heavy braking.

Neither had ABS, or Traction Control, or Rider Modes, and both had quite a raw feeling engine compared to other V-twins I owned. I suppose its like comparing a TVR with a Jaguar DB7.

Getting all nostalgic about the KTM's now.

[Whysub]

What my former RC8-R looked like a few weeks ago under tye ownership of my mate. Glad he is taking care of it.

My RC8-R August 2024.jpg (854.45 KiB) Viewed 910 times

Odd to think that this design is nearly 20 years old

[mboy]

I'm 5'7" with an 29" inside leg, and the bikes were fine for me, the adjustability helps enormously. The only issue I ever hsd was getting it out of a packed parking bay, as the lock isn't great.

Genuinely surprised regarding you got on ok with it at that inside leg... It's not a small bike!

The steering lock is way better on them than most sports bikes to be fair, I was actually quite shocked how good it was when I had mine having been used to Aprilia's, Ducati's and more recently a Yamaha MT-10 all with much worse steering lock...

[mboy]

What my former RC8-R looked like a few weeks ago under tye ownership of my mate. Glad he is taking care of it.

Odd to think that this design is nearly 20 years old

They still look epic... They could bring it back tomorrow and it would still look futuristic!

Arguably the best 2 wheeled design ever to have been penned, and I say this as an owner of a Ducati 748!

[Noggin]

My R was 2012 registered, but it was a late 2010 build, so didn't have the slipper clutch. It did have lighter forged wheels and uprated WP suspendion front and rear. I had it set up to take my weight by a KTM technician, which made it noticeably better than when I rode it in. Very similar to the RC8 on the road, but think the differences would be more noticeably on the track thsn on potholed roads.

A few more bhp ( but not sure you could notice them) and a few more cc. Thinking back, the clutch was less grabby than the standard bike, but I must have got used to the on/off nature of it, as only notice riding the two back to back.
Brakes were the same, maybe different pad compounds, but I never noticed a difference in them under heavy braking.

Neither had ABS, or Traction Control, or Rider Modes, and both had quite a raw feeling engine compared to other V-twins I owned. I suppose its like comparing a TVR with a Jaguar DB7.

Getting all nostalgic about the KTM's now.

Sounds bloody awesome and I really don’t think I’d notice the power difference!! But the description of the engine - I’m sitting here grinning

What my former RC8-R looked like a few weeks ago under tye ownership of my mate. Glad he is taking care of it.

My RC8-R August 2024.jpg

Odd to think that this design is nearly 20 years old

[ChrisW]

[mboy]

Came here just to post that… You beat me to it!