Just weeks after KTM announced plans to bring its hand-built RC 8C track bike to Australian showrooms, the Austrian bikemaker has now revealed an all-new version with power-boosting engine upgrades and a number of chassis refinements.
KTM will open the order books for the 2023 KTM RC 8C tomorrow at 15:00 CEST (12AM Australia time), with just 200 available to claim at this link.
Australian pricing has yet to be confirmed, though for reference, the outgoing 2022 RC 8C sold out this month with units priced from $56,900.
New for the 2023 model is a heavily upgraded version of KTM’s 889cc parallel-twin engine, which now makes an extra 5kW of power for a total 100kW, while torque drops 3Nm to 98Nm.
Upgrades to the engine include lighter titanium valves and conrods, new piston rings, high compression ratios, a larger throttle body and increased fuel pump pressure.
The 2023 KTM RC 8C also gets a new titanium Akrapovic exhaust system and changes to its high-end WP Apex forks and shock, “elevating comfort, contact and confidence”, according to KTM.
The bike’s electronics system has also been upgraded, now with a revamped dash with GPS lap-timer and handlebar switches derived from KTM’s RC16 MotoGP machine.
“Whether a rider is the next Brad Binder seeking training mileage or the next Red Bull MotoGP rookie on the path to Grand Prix stardom, the refined electronics mean that any setting of traction control, mapping and engine braking can fettle the 2023 KTM RC 8C to match the level of ability (or ambition),” a KTM press release reads.
Also borrowed from KTM’s MotoGP efforts is new bodywork complete with aerodynamic winglets that are said to improve “downforce and efficiency under braking and acceleration”.
As before, the KTM RC 8C is fitted with Pirelli slicks and other racing components like the lightweight wheels, chain, carbon front guard, CNC triple clamp and race gearbox shift pattern.
Race-spec Brembo Stylema brake calipers grab 290mm floating discs at the front, while a two-piston setup bites a 230mm disc at the rear.
This braking package also includes a Brembo 19RCS Corsa Corta radial master cylinder, which is significant as it allows riders to tailor the bite point via a selector on the master cylinder itself.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
