2008 KTM 1190 RC8 First Look

KTM announces the dawn of a new era, making the official Superbike plunge with the 1190 RC8.

The 65th EICMA show in Milan keeps cranking out the surprises, with Austrian manufacturer KTM introducing its first-ever Superbike design - the 1190 RC8.

Yet the KTM RC8 debut isn't too shocking, as the "Made in Austria" Superbike has been a long time coming. First breaking cover at the 2005 shows, the then-concept machine was powered by the Super Duke 999cc Twin. Promised for eventual production, the project morphed into the 1190cc version unveiled this week at Milan.

Explaining the development of his company's first Superbike design at its Milan debut, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer said: "The RC8 is the perfect embodiment of the collective know-how and the sporting passion of our development teams. In addition, they have proven that KTM is capable of pushing through its own model strategy and in doing so, being absolutely true to our clear brand philosophy, also on the road."

Based off the LC8 Twin powering the Super Duke, the RC8 motor is punched out to, we assume, 1190cc displacement. Power claims for the new V-Twin are 155 horsepower and 88.5 lb-ft torque. If our past experience with the LC8 platform is any indication, the RC8 will benefit from a bounty of torque and magnificent mid-range - characteristics which figure to only be enhanced by the extra 190cc.

Dispensing with the raucous leftovers from the new V-Twin is an under-engine exhaust, positioning we've seen before on Erik Buell creations. The underslung design helping to keep a low center of gravity.

With its entry into the Superbike class, the 1190 RC8 is an exciting option with a style all its own.

The chassis is made up of a tubular steel frame mated to what appears to be a standard-fare aluminum swingarm. KTM continues use of WP suspension, with a non-traditional rear linkage located at the top of the swingarm. The WP components are complimented by radial-mount Brembo brakes, both of which the Austrian firm utilizes on its other high-performance streetbikes. The total design adds up to a claimed tank-full weight of 440 lbs.

Images of the new Superbike entry indicate a stock steering damper, as well as a pivot in the subframe to adjust seat height. In this regard, the Austrians have taken an adjustability cue from their Northern Italian neighbors, Ducati, which offers seat adjustment forward and back. It is a feature which signifies the RC8's intentions to accommodate a wide array of riders on the street.

But is this orange tiger a purpose-built streetbike or full-blown racing platform?

Given KTM's history of competitive racing, it seems a safe bet that the RC8 will be contesting championships in the near future. A fact backed up at the Milan Show by the RC8 on display being in full Red Bull racing livery trim. But don't expect the new KTM to jump right into the deep World Superbike end of the racing pool right away. When we chatted with KTM reps at the Super Duke press intro last year, they hinted the RC8 would skip SBK right out of the gate and get its toes wet in some European national series first. (One possible arena where we could see the KTM here in the States is the MOTO-ST series.)

Either the new KTM superbike has a adjustable pivot to alter the seat height and subframe, or we had too much to drink last night.

Our conversations with the orange folk also gave us an insight into KTM's styling intentions with the RC8. At the Duke intro reps showed us blacked out silhouette shots of the future RC8 next to its Japanese superbike competition. It was clear then that KTM designers wanted a machine uniquely identifiable by its profile alone and they have delivered. From its spacious undertail rear to the sharp bodywork up front, there's no mistaking this KTM for any of its literbike competitors.

Also, although no MSRP is listed in KTM PR, we were assured by our Austrian friends that they want the RC8 to be affordable for the general public. Whether Austrian notions of affordability conform to those of your regular Yankee remains to be seen.

The 1190 RC8 will be offered in KTM's trademark orange and black scheme, as well as a white and black version. According to KTM PR the new model will be available March 2008, "just in time for the start of the new motorcycle season."

Superbike 749R

A SPORTS BIKE WITHOUT COMPROMISE

The 749R, designed to race in the World Supersport Championship, is an outstanding racing machine. It features the most powerful mid-size Testastretta engine produced by Ducati together with a state-of-the-art chassis set up, both developed specifically for top track performance.

The 749R is driven by a mighty twin-cylinder Testastretta engine created especially for racing. The 121 hp at 10,500 rpm has been achieved through full race tuning, and shortening the piston stroke while increasing the bore to 94 mm, up from the 90 mm of the 749 and 749s, thus enabling the engine to run at higher rpm. The slipper clutch is also racing derived and prevents the rear wheel from locking during track style downshifting and heavy engine deceleration.

This Testastretta twin-cylinder engine has been created using the best materials: titanium valves, valve retaining collets and connecting rods, magnesium head covers and carbon fibre belt covers that feature a ventilation system to enhance belt cooling. The feather-weight crankshaft and high resistance aluminium alloy pistons complete the array of top notch components.

One of the unique features of this model is the rear suspension linkage, with flat rising rate as used on competition Ducatis, that is suited to extreme track use and a single-seat set up. The lower rising rate produces linear performance throughout the stroke with less rigidity at high ranges, typical of high-speed cornering experienced on the track. The suspension works in partnership with a fully adjustable Öhlins rear shock absorber, with a shorter stroke than in the standard version (down from 71 to 56 mm) and with a heavier spring, designed especially for this motorcycle and its unique rear suspension.

This model is exclusively available as a single-seater and is finished off with a numbered silver plate on the top yoke.

Valentino Rossi's much-hyped trip to the Isle of Man TT this year captured on YouTube

Here are just a couple of links sent to us, via Italian clothing Goliath Dainese, of the MotoGP world champ's recent first trip to Manxland for the TT.

The first clip shows Valentino Rossi, it has to be said, looking a bit wary at first following Giacomo Agostini on the TT course.

The second clips shows some interesting footage of the air-bag infused Dainese D-Air suit being crash tested. The clip includes road racer Guy Martin trying to keep a straight face while the suit is inflated around him.

The third here is the press conference at the TT with Rossi jabbering away in his own, unique style and talking "balls".

Grid girls. What's not to like? Grid girl wallpaper is what you want and it is what you get every Friday. This is from the Catalan GP

Grid girls. MotoGP, WSB, BSB grid girls. What's not to like? Grid girl wallpaper is what you want and it is what you get every Friday. This is from the Catalan GP and is the choice of our designer, Callum Tomsett.

You want more? Well, here's the place to go

Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha) scored another double win from pole position at Snetterton BSB. With Steve Plater winning in supersport for HM Plant Hon

It's not that the racing was dull, but it was predictable. We could run an official press release, but our mole lurking around the back of the garages at Snetterton claims that he heard this de-brief between pole position man and double race winner Leon Camier (Airwaves Yamaha) and his chief tech after the race.

"Well... that was pretty easy. Obviously I wouldn't say that to that guy with the microphone or the telly people, but, fuck me, what's going on? What are the rest of the them doing? The bike is working fine and the tyres were OK, but we weren't the fastest bike down the straight and those wankers still couldn't beat me...(laughs a bit)...still...fair play, they had a go.

I got my usual not brilliant start, caught up with little Stewey (we think he means Easton rather than the Family Guy character), then pissed off past him and waited to see if anything would happen. But it didn't. I actually thought about slowing up a bit to see if I could have a bit of a play, but I knew Colin (Wright) would blow a fuse and I'd get a bollocking if I did that, so I just kept counting off the laps. Where did James (Ellison) finish by the way?"

We test the California Superbike School's level one course at Brands Hatch

I've been riding a long time - twenty years this year. But to be honest, I've never had much in the way of formal training. Rather, I've sort of got stuck in, and hoped that spending thousands of miles in the saddle would magically induce talent within me.

Of course that works, after a fashion. But there comes a point where you can really benefit from spending a bit of time with an external body analysing what you're doing, and working out how to make it work better.

That point was probably about seven or eight years ago for me, but better late than never as they say, so I was pleased to sign up for the California Superbike School's Level One course at Brands Hatch last week. I borrowed a Suzuki GSX-R750 (the gentleman's premium choice for track duties), put on my best bib and tucker, and set the alarm for an early start (sign-on starts at 7am, erk).

I'd heard a lot about the CSS over the years, not all of it good. But I have to say that my experience was overwhelmingly positive. There's a strong focus on classroom work - you spend half the day in a room with director Andy Ibbott, talking about what you do on a bike, broken down in quite a detailed way. Ibbott has a good classroom manner, engaging yet challenging, and the nature of his teaching has the students constantly asking and answering questions. If you're an experienced rider, you might not feel quite at home with some of the 'black or white' statements on the nature of things, but there's no doubt it's a positive, effective learning process.

But don't think this classroom emphasis detracts from track time. I got five decent sessions at Brands, only maybe one less than at a trackday, and the more controlled nature of the day meant fewer red flag stoppages, so less lost time. The on track instructors follow you around, offering tuition from the bike, or calling you into the pits for more in-depth instruction.

Criticisms? Well, the mix of abilities is very wide: my Level one group included a British Superstock racer and a novice rider who'd only ever ridden 500 miles in total. The instructors kept good order, but at times the disparity in speeds stood out, not helped by the compact nature of Brands Indy. And on a minor note, some of the instructors have rather outlandish nicknames, in the manner of a Top Gun parody sketch...

But all that said, and the £412 cost of the day considered, I'd definitely go back to the school. All of the students I spoke to were similarly positive too, and if you're considering some track-based rider training, I'd be happy to recommend the school.

R200

Jakarta - Minerva Motor Indonesia (MMI), the quiet has launched variants of the newest types of sport. This is known detikOto in a shopping center in the area of Lebak Bulus, last week.

Striping of the legible, written Minerva R200, which means that with a 200 cc engine.

Sporty design, with full body fairing. The front appears to taper out. Similarly, the stern, when the note, still resembles buttocks CBR 150, with only spakboard different.

When confirmed on the Minerva through its Marketing Manager, Eddy Susanto, recognizes this.

"Yes, it is a new variant," he said when contacted detikOto, Monday, (8/6/2009).

In addition, to Edy, Minerva is not akan melaunch variants sport in this large-scale.

Minerva R200 on the engines already use Balancer shaft. So that the engine vibration during disrupt this, can be muted.

For the price, Minerva offer price of Rp 17.9 million On The Road. How, interested?