KTM’s RC8 motorcycle is ready for the road

KTM is putting the finishing touches to the KTM RC8 1190 superbike as these exclusive pictures show.

The test KTM motorcycle has the final version of the 1199cc engine to be fitted in the 2008-model production bikes, and the chassis and brakes are also production ready.

The 1199cc v-twin should make over 160bhp in production form, and the according to KTM insiders the chassis has been set up to make it a better road-going motorcycle, rather than a pure track tool. For 2009, KTM will unveil a second version of the motorcycle, the KTM RC8-R which will have higher specification parts and act as the homologation motorcycle for KTM’s World Superbike race machines.

For a full analysis of the KTM RC8’s design and exclusive pictures of the updated KTM 990SM, see Motor Cycle News, out Wednesday October 17.