KTM RC8 Track Day Review
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From: Arlington // Madison Motorsports, VA, USA
KTM RC8 Track Day Review
I posted this on 1000rr.net and MM and thought I'd drop it here too since I'm sure some are curious about the new KaTooM:
So when I went Indy for Moto GP and one of the things I was really looking forward to was doing the demo rides. I showed up bright and early at 7 on Friday to ride some KTM's but all demo rides were canceled that day due to the rain. I was bummed, but I hung around and chatted with the KTM folks for awhile because no bikes would be on track for another hour.
While I was talking to one of the reps he told me that Ducati/Triumph/KTM of NYC would be doing a track day at NJMP and that KTM North America would be allowing riders at the track day to take the RC8's out on track...
Long story short, I showed up to NJMP on Monday to ride the new hotness.
Ergonomics
When I first sat on the bike I was amazed. It has a seat that is much harder than the one on my 1000RR. The edges of it are really hard and they cut into your thighs so much you feel like they're cutting off the circulation to your legs. Right off the bat this bike won't cut it for long rides.
The seating position wasn't bad I'd say. The pegs have shims in them that you can remove to get the foot pegs up, and of course it has the adjustable seat. For the track day all of the controls were in their "street" position
Engine/Power
When I got it out on track it took a little bit to get used to the power delivery. Rolling on to the throttle it gives you a pretty good jerk. You've gotta be quite a bit smoother with the throttle than you need to be with the RR.
As a v-twin with more torque than the 1000RR I thought it would feel stronger in the midrange but it really didn't (it does give up 20 hp to the 'Blade though). The powerband felt flatter but I just didn't feel like it was superior in the midrange. On the top end it was no comparison. While I wasn't pushing as hard as I was on my bike, I was going a full 20 mph faster at the end of the straight with the 'Blade than I was on the KTM. Some of that was due to the fact that I only had one session on the KTM but it was plainly wanting for thrust compared to the RR. I wouldn't call that a huge strike against the bike, but there was something else that was...
In all of the magazine articles I'd read about the RC8 there was one complaint or another about too much vibration from the engine. I didn't think anything of it, but holy ****, it is AWFUL. From about 8k rpm on up it feels like you're holding on to a chainsaw or weedwhacker or something. It gives you a strong buzzing vibration through the bars that numbs your hands. This thing vibrates so bad it's almost like it's broken. On the bright side though, I'm sure the ladies would like it...
Handling
That said, the bike can really get through the corners almost as well as my 'Blade. It turns slower, but it also feels as stable as a government job at full lean. For a twin I'd have to say it's pretty sharp, it seems like KTM gave it fairly aggressive geometry to get it to turn in well. Still, when I got back on my 1000RR I almost tucked the front on the first lap because it turns so much quicker than the RC8.
One thing I will say though is that the RC8 really felt easy to go fast on. I didn't think I'd get a knee down on it with only 20 minutes at my disposal but the bike really makes you feel confident enough to just start banking it over.
Brakes/Clutch/Transmission
The brakes have great feel, but I wasn't really hammering on them because I only had one session with it. I couldn't really say which bike had better brakes, especially when you're going a lot faster on one than the other.
One thing that was weird was the clutch. On the RR I can ease the clutch out and do about 10 mph at idle. On the RC8 I just stalled. Even easing a little bit of throttle into it--stall. For a bike with a good helping more torque I found that surprising.
One of the other complaints I read in some of the mags was the shifter. On the track I had zero problems with it. While I was in the pits waiting to get on track it took me a good 30-60 seconds to get that damned thing into neutral from 2nd gear. I'm thinking it could be a pain in the *** on the street.
Overall Impression
Don't sell your Fireblade. I think the RC8 is a good first effort at a superbike from KTM. The handling is confidence-inspiring, brakes can do the business, and it's got a few innovative features like the adjustable controls, seat, swingarm, and the multifunction dash. But the ridiculously bad vibrations are really inexcusable. Then there's the whole power deficit to the 1000 cc inline fours.
Really if you were buying this bike, you'd be doing so just to have something unique and somewhat rare (only 43 imported for '08, maybe 400 for 2009). But you wouldn't be paying $19,400 for a bike that is "better".
Still I think it was awesome that KTM would take a risk like that to get people on their bikes on the racetrack. I may not buy one, but it has certainly raised my opinion of KTM.
So when I went Indy for Moto GP and one of the things I was really looking forward to was doing the demo rides. I showed up bright and early at 7 on Friday to ride some KTM's but all demo rides were canceled that day due to the rain. I was bummed, but I hung around and chatted with the KTM folks for awhile because no bikes would be on track for another hour.
While I was talking to one of the reps he told me that Ducati/Triumph/KTM of NYC would be doing a track day at NJMP and that KTM North America would be allowing riders at the track day to take the RC8's out on track...
Long story short, I showed up to NJMP on Monday to ride the new hotness.
Ergonomics
When I first sat on the bike I was amazed. It has a seat that is much harder than the one on my 1000RR. The edges of it are really hard and they cut into your thighs so much you feel like they're cutting off the circulation to your legs. Right off the bat this bike won't cut it for long rides.
The seating position wasn't bad I'd say. The pegs have shims in them that you can remove to get the foot pegs up, and of course it has the adjustable seat. For the track day all of the controls were in their "street" position
Engine/Power
When I got it out on track it took a little bit to get used to the power delivery. Rolling on to the throttle it gives you a pretty good jerk. You've gotta be quite a bit smoother with the throttle than you need to be with the RR.
As a v-twin with more torque than the 1000RR I thought it would feel stronger in the midrange but it really didn't (it does give up 20 hp to the 'Blade though). The powerband felt flatter but I just didn't feel like it was superior in the midrange. On the top end it was no comparison. While I wasn't pushing as hard as I was on my bike, I was going a full 20 mph faster at the end of the straight with the 'Blade than I was on the KTM. Some of that was due to the fact that I only had one session on the KTM but it was plainly wanting for thrust compared to the RR. I wouldn't call that a huge strike against the bike, but there was something else that was...
In all of the magazine articles I'd read about the RC8 there was one complaint or another about too much vibration from the engine. I didn't think anything of it, but holy ****, it is AWFUL. From about 8k rpm on up it feels like you're holding on to a chainsaw or weedwhacker or something. It gives you a strong buzzing vibration through the bars that numbs your hands. This thing vibrates so bad it's almost like it's broken. On the bright side though, I'm sure the ladies would like it...
Handling
That said, the bike can really get through the corners almost as well as my 'Blade. It turns slower, but it also feels as stable as a government job at full lean. For a twin I'd have to say it's pretty sharp, it seems like KTM gave it fairly aggressive geometry to get it to turn in well. Still, when I got back on my 1000RR I almost tucked the front on the first lap because it turns so much quicker than the RC8.
One thing I will say though is that the RC8 really felt easy to go fast on. I didn't think I'd get a knee down on it with only 20 minutes at my disposal but the bike really makes you feel confident enough to just start banking it over.
Brakes/Clutch/Transmission
The brakes have great feel, but I wasn't really hammering on them because I only had one session with it. I couldn't really say which bike had better brakes, especially when you're going a lot faster on one than the other.
One thing that was weird was the clutch. On the RR I can ease the clutch out and do about 10 mph at idle. On the RC8 I just stalled. Even easing a little bit of throttle into it--stall. For a bike with a good helping more torque I found that surprising.
One of the other complaints I read in some of the mags was the shifter. On the track I had zero problems with it. While I was in the pits waiting to get on track it took me a good 30-60 seconds to get that damned thing into neutral from 2nd gear. I'm thinking it could be a pain in the *** on the street.
Overall Impression
Don't sell your Fireblade. I think the RC8 is a good first effort at a superbike from KTM. The handling is confidence-inspiring, brakes can do the business, and it's got a few innovative features like the adjustable controls, seat, swingarm, and the multifunction dash. But the ridiculously bad vibrations are really inexcusable. Then there's the whole power deficit to the 1000 cc inline fours.
Really if you were buying this bike, you'd be doing so just to have something unique and somewhat rare (only 43 imported for '08, maybe 400 for 2009). But you wouldn't be paying $19,400 for a bike that is "better".
Still I think it was awesome that KTM would take a risk like that to get people on their bikes on the racetrack. I may not buy one, but it has certainly raised my opinion of KTM.
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From: Arlington // Madison Motorsports, VA, USA
Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (JMU R1)
A few pics. I apologize, I forgot to charge my camera before I left, had to take these with my jesusphone =/
Not a huge bike but a good bit bigger than the CBR. The tank also bulged a bit making it harder to get a good tuck going.
The RC8 dash is multifunction and you can bring up a bunch of cool stuff like a built in lap timer with a logging function. The tach was kind of small but I had no problem reading it at speed.
Note the height adjustment shims. I was hoping there'd be a bit more range of adjustment though.
The lap button there is used to start the lap timer. On the opposite of that button facing the front is another button that you can use to flip through the dash's functions so you don't have to take your hands off the bars (something a guy on the Desmosedici that day could've used, he went off while fooling with the lap timer...). There's also a high beam flasher button there (wish I had one).
Not a huge bike but a good bit bigger than the CBR. The tank also bulged a bit making it harder to get a good tuck going.
The RC8 dash is multifunction and you can bring up a bunch of cool stuff like a built in lap timer with a logging function. The tach was kind of small but I had no problem reading it at speed.
Note the height adjustment shims. I was hoping there'd be a bit more range of adjustment though.
The lap button there is used to start the lap timer. On the opposite of that button facing the front is another button that you can use to flip through the dash's functions so you don't have to take your hands off the bars (something a guy on the Desmosedici that day could've used, he went off while fooling with the lap timer...). There's also a high beam flasher button there (wish I had one).
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From: Arlington // Madison Motorsports, VA, USA
Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (Starscream)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Starscream »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Interesting read, thanks for the review.
It must be nice to get to test all these cool bikes.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
Haha really anyone could've signed up for it. The KTM rep just told me to call the Ducati/KTM/Triumph NYC dealership and talk to the GM. I called him up and he told me they were doing the track day on the Monday but he had no idea what the deal with KTM NA was. He knew the bikes were gonna be there but he had no idea whether they'd let any track day riders ride the bikes. I just decided to take the chance and go anyway, if nothing else it'd be a nice place to take the 1000RR out for the first time.
A funny thing was in one session I had a pretty good pace going and passed a dude on a Superduke R. I never saw him on track again but I guess he was trying to chase me. After the session I roll up to my truck, legs shaking, and this guy rolls up next to me. He starts telling me something about, "You were really fast, blah, blah, blah" but I couldn't really hear him with my helmet and earplugs in. I leaned over to hear him and...
I fell over and knocked him over!
Man it was one of the stupidest and most embarrassing things I've ever done. I told RJ when I got back that I crashed a KTM 
Luckily neither bike was damaged, just a very small scratch on my stator cover.
It must be nice to get to test all these cool bikes.
</TD></TR></TABLE>Haha really anyone could've signed up for it. The KTM rep just told me to call the Ducati/KTM/Triumph NYC dealership and talk to the GM. I called him up and he told me they were doing the track day on the Monday but he had no idea what the deal with KTM NA was. He knew the bikes were gonna be there but he had no idea whether they'd let any track day riders ride the bikes. I just decided to take the chance and go anyway, if nothing else it'd be a nice place to take the 1000RR out for the first time.
A funny thing was in one session I had a pretty good pace going and passed a dude on a Superduke R. I never saw him on track again but I guess he was trying to chase me. After the session I roll up to my truck, legs shaking, and this guy rolls up next to me. He starts telling me something about, "You were really fast, blah, blah, blah" but I couldn't really hear him with my helmet and earplugs in. I leaned over to hear him and...
I fell over and knocked him over!
Man it was one of the stupidest and most embarrassing things I've ever done. I told RJ when I got back that I crashed a KTM Luckily neither bike was damaged, just a very small scratch on my stator cover.
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From: West Jordan, UT, USA
Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (JMU R1)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JMU R1 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
............ "You were really fast, blah, blah, blah" but I couldn't really hear him with my helmet and earplugs in. I leaned over to hear him and...
I fell over and knocked him over! Man it was one of the stupidest and most embarrassing things I've ever done. I told RJ when I got back that I crashed a KTM
Luckily neither bike was damaged, just a very small scratch on my stator cover.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Funny story.
for a well written review.
............ "You were really fast, blah, blah, blah" but I couldn't really hear him with my helmet and earplugs in. I leaned over to hear him and...
I fell over and knocked him over!
Man it was one of the stupidest and most embarrassing things I've ever done. I told RJ when I got back that I crashed a KTM Luckily neither bike was damaged, just a very small scratch on my stator cover.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Funny story.
for a well written review.
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From: Orange County, Ca, USA
Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (JMU R1)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JMU R1 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I fell over and knocked him over! Man it was one of the stupidest and most embarrassing things I've ever done. I told RJ when I got back that I crashed a KTM
Luckily neither bike was damaged, just a very small scratch on my stator cover.</TD></TR></TABLE>
n00b!
I fell over and knocked him over!
Man it was one of the stupidest and most embarrassing things I've ever done. I told RJ when I got back that I crashed a KTM Luckily neither bike was damaged, just a very small scratch on my stator cover.</TD></TR></TABLE>
n00b!
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From: West Jordan, UT, USA
Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (ScareyH22A)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ScareyH22A »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
n00b! </TD></TR></TABLE>
^^^^^ Dexter, to bad it's only on Showtime....which I don't get.
n00b!
</TD></TR></TABLE>^^^^^ Dexter, to bad it's only on Showtime....which I don't get.
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From: MD
Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (rochesterricer)
My own $.02 besides being jealous of getting to ride one. I think it's unfair to compare the RC8 to your own bike that you're much more familiar with - the 1000rr. Not to mention that it's a 1000cc i4 vs a >1000cc v-twin. There's so few similarities in how the power is delivered.
What track at NJMP did you run it at? Thunderbolt or lightning?
What track at NJMP did you run it at? Thunderbolt or lightning?
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Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (EngineNoO9)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rochesterricer »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Out of curiosity, have you ridden a 1098 yet? If yes, how would you compare it to this one?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Nah not yet. There was a link on 1000RR to a review from an AFM racer who's ridden both and he says the RC8 turns better. The 1098S would be the ideal competitor as it costs about the same and is a Euro v-twin superbike. I'd have to do some finagling to find a way to try one on track though.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EngineNoO9 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My own $.02 besides being jealous of getting to ride one. I think it's unfair to compare the RC8 to your own bike that you're much more familiar with - the 1000rr. Not to mention that it's a 1000cc i4 vs a >1000cc v-twin. There's so few similarities in how the power is delivered.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't think it's an unfair comparison at all. For one, it's not like you can have equal seat time on all bikes you ride so you can make it "fair". Secondly, none of the things I didn't like about the KTM are because I was unfamiliar with the bike.
As for v-twin vs inline-4, they're both superbikes who race in the same classes and have pretty much the same goal. The KTM was naturally going to be more expensive because of the exhange rate and possibly because they're a smaller manufacturer. So you can't knock them too much there.
But at the same time there's just no excuse for the vibes and really, it should have more power considering that it's an 1150cc v-twin (they should've just gone for the full 1200 IMO). I think they did a good job on the handling and I really like the styling. I just think there are some weak areas on the bike that they'll need to fix whenever they update it.
If I was the kind of person who was hell bent on getting something different, maybe I'd go for it. But I'd have to try the 1098S too, and that has more power and presumably doesn't shake like a vibrator.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What track at NJMP did you run it at? Thunderbolt or lightning?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thunderbolt. I think I liked it a bit more than Lightning although it was a little bit slower. Only problem was that rise before the hairpin. Not only would I wheelie over it, but I feel like I got airborne coming over it once. I have no doubt that a full-on 1000 cc race bike could catch air there.
Out of curiosity, have you ridden a 1098 yet? If yes, how would you compare it to this one?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Nah not yet. There was a link on 1000RR to a review from an AFM racer who's ridden both and he says the RC8 turns better. The 1098S would be the ideal competitor as it costs about the same and is a Euro v-twin superbike. I'd have to do some finagling to find a way to try one on track though.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EngineNoO9 »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">My own $.02 besides being jealous of getting to ride one. I think it's unfair to compare the RC8 to your own bike that you're much more familiar with - the 1000rr. Not to mention that it's a 1000cc i4 vs a >1000cc v-twin. There's so few similarities in how the power is delivered.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I don't think it's an unfair comparison at all. For one, it's not like you can have equal seat time on all bikes you ride so you can make it "fair". Secondly, none of the things I didn't like about the KTM are because I was unfamiliar with the bike.
As for v-twin vs inline-4, they're both superbikes who race in the same classes and have pretty much the same goal. The KTM was naturally going to be more expensive because of the exhange rate and possibly because they're a smaller manufacturer. So you can't knock them too much there.
But at the same time there's just no excuse for the vibes and really, it should have more power considering that it's an 1150cc v-twin (they should've just gone for the full 1200 IMO). I think they did a good job on the handling and I really like the styling. I just think there are some weak areas on the bike that they'll need to fix whenever they update it.
If I was the kind of person who was hell bent on getting something different, maybe I'd go for it. But I'd have to try the 1098S too, and that has more power and presumably doesn't shake like a vibrator.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What track at NJMP did you run it at? Thunderbolt or lightning?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thunderbolt. I think I liked it a bit more than Lightning although it was a little bit slower. Only problem was that rise before the hairpin. Not only would I wheelie over it, but I feel like I got airborne coming over it once. I have no doubt that a full-on 1000 cc race bike could catch air there.
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Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (JMU R1)
over the rise my wheel lofts every time unless I shift right at the crest to avoid it. The straight away is short but it's real fast since you can hit the straight at about 125-130 mph. I haven't yet but should be able to top out the RC51 on the straight. 1 or both chicanes? I've run it in every configuration so far and am doing one more day on the 6th
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Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (EngineNoO9)
Cool review. The thing that gets me is that the limits of these bikes are so high that no street rider can get everything out of them. Change the shock and the fork springs and these bikes are on the pace at a national.
Personal anecdote:
My dad used to freelance for Roadracing World, Cycle News, and American Road Racing. He used to go to all the press intros and ride the new bikes. He'd come back and I would ask him how is was and she'd say how amazing the bikes all were.
He asked me if I wanted to ride the new 1997 CR250 at the press intro since he was a street guy. Heck yeah! I rode a few laps and came back to the truck. I told the Honda guys that the bike pushed (understeered) like crazy. They changed the sag and some turned the adjusters and I went back out. The bike was really good! Super fast and turned well. I listened to Ezra Lusk when he came in and he bent the friggen bars from riding! I realized had no business telling people how I felt about a motorcycle!
Please don't take my post the wrong way, your observations and opinions are completely valid and I'm not trying to take anything away from your review. I'm just sharing my experiences.
Personal anecdote:
My dad used to freelance for Roadracing World, Cycle News, and American Road Racing. He used to go to all the press intros and ride the new bikes. He'd come back and I would ask him how is was and she'd say how amazing the bikes all were.
He asked me if I wanted to ride the new 1997 CR250 at the press intro since he was a street guy. Heck yeah! I rode a few laps and came back to the truck. I told the Honda guys that the bike pushed (understeered) like crazy. They changed the sag and some turned the adjusters and I went back out. The bike was really good! Super fast and turned well. I listened to Ezra Lusk when he came in and he bent the friggen bars from riding! I realized had no business telling people how I felt about a motorcycle!
Please don't take my post the wrong way, your observations and opinions are completely valid and I'm not trying to take anything away from your review. I'm just sharing my experiences.
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From: MD
Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (bassplayer)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bassplayer »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wow sexy bike, too bad there's nothing really special about this bike that puts it above the normal $11k bikes.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I love ignorance....
I love ignorance....
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From: Nashville, TN
Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (EngineNoO9)
Hmm didn't mean that the way you took it. I was more leaning towards this quote "Really if you were buying this bike, you'd be doing so just to have something unique and somewhat rare (only 43 imported for '08, maybe 400 for 2009). But you wouldn't be paying $19,400 for a bike that is "better".
I know that this bike has some pimp things about it, just wish it was more worth the $19,400 they're asking for it. Bump for a baller bike, just wish it was more affordable, I'm a poor college student.
Modified by bassplayer at 9:12 PM 9/30/2008
I know that this bike has some pimp things about it, just wish it was more worth the $19,400 they're asking for it. Bump for a baller bike, just wish it was more affordable, I'm a poor college student.
Modified by bassplayer at 9:12 PM 9/30/2008
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Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (Sparkles)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sparkles »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Cool review. The thing that gets me is that the limits of these bikes are so high that no street rider can get everything out of them. Change the shock and the fork springs and these bikes are on the pace at a national.
Personal anecdote:
My dad used to freelance for Roadracing World, Cycle News, and American Road Racing. He used to go to all the press intros and ride the new bikes. He'd come back and I would ask him how is was and she'd say how amazing the bikes all were.
He asked me if I wanted to ride the new 1997 CR250 at the press intro since he was a street guy. Heck yeah! I rode a few laps and came back to the truck. I told the Honda guys that the bike pushed (understeered) like crazy. They changed the sag and some turned the adjusters and I went back out. The bike was really good! Super fast and turned well. I listened to Ezra Lusk when he came in and he bent the friggen bars from riding! I realized had no business telling people how I felt about a motorcycle!
Please don't take my post the wrong way, your observations and opinions are completely valid and I'm not trying to take anything away from your review. I'm just sharing my experiences.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well really you could say that of any vehicle, four wheels or two. You could get Larry Webster of Car and Driver to test a Ferrari 430 and he'd be decently fast, but he would be nowhere near Michael Schumacher in the same car. Someone who races professionally is almost always going to be faster. With bikes the disparity is going to be even bigger.
The interesting thing is that most of the bike manufacturers are starting to engineer their bikes to be easier to ride so riders can feel more comfortable exploiting the performance of the bike. This helps when it comes to racing too.
Another thing is that it's hard to get much from a street ride because the bikes are so fast you really can't tap into a lot of the performance on the street. That's why it was really cool that KTM brought the bikes out to demo at a track day.
Personal anecdote:
My dad used to freelance for Roadracing World, Cycle News, and American Road Racing. He used to go to all the press intros and ride the new bikes. He'd come back and I would ask him how is was and she'd say how amazing the bikes all were.
He asked me if I wanted to ride the new 1997 CR250 at the press intro since he was a street guy. Heck yeah! I rode a few laps and came back to the truck. I told the Honda guys that the bike pushed (understeered) like crazy. They changed the sag and some turned the adjusters and I went back out. The bike was really good! Super fast and turned well. I listened to Ezra Lusk when he came in and he bent the friggen bars from riding! I realized had no business telling people how I felt about a motorcycle!
Please don't take my post the wrong way, your observations and opinions are completely valid and I'm not trying to take anything away from your review. I'm just sharing my experiences.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Well really you could say that of any vehicle, four wheels or two. You could get Larry Webster of Car and Driver to test a Ferrari 430 and he'd be decently fast, but he would be nowhere near Michael Schumacher in the same car. Someone who races professionally is almost always going to be faster. With bikes the disparity is going to be even bigger.
The interesting thing is that most of the bike manufacturers are starting to engineer their bikes to be easier to ride so riders can feel more comfortable exploiting the performance of the bike. This helps when it comes to racing too.
Another thing is that it's hard to get much from a street ride because the bikes are so fast you really can't tap into a lot of the performance on the street. That's why it was really cool that KTM brought the bikes out to demo at a track day.
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From: Raiders Reef, Az, USA
Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (JMU R1)
I remember john ulrich talking to my dad about riding the 500 gp bikes and saying how easy to ride they were. "its like riding a pit bike" is exactly what he said. At a club racer pace I'm sure they are easy to ride.
At 6-7 10ths its a big ***** cat. Now you put a guy like casey stoner on that bike and he is going to come back saying something different, right?
But Casey Stoner isn't going to buy a RC KTM is he?
At 6-7 10ths its a big ***** cat. Now you put a guy like casey stoner on that bike and he is going to come back saying something different, right?
But Casey Stoner isn't going to buy a RC KTM is he?
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From: MD
Re: KTM RC8 Track Day Review (Sparkles)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Sparkles »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
But Casey Stoner isn't going to buy a RC KTM is he?</TD></TR></TABLE>
No, that'd be a breach of contract 
But Casey Stoner isn't going to buy a RC KTM is he?</TD></TR></TABLE>
No, that'd be a breach of contract
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