Earlier this year, KTM unveiled the track-only RC 8C. Limited to 100 units, the supersport was jointly developed by the KTM Factory Racing Team and US-based Kramer Motorcycles. While this was exciting news from the manufacturer, it left many of us craving for a more accessible, road-going iteration.
KTM seems to have noticed because what appears to be a street-legal RC 8C has been spotted testing. The images of a test mule were first shared by German publication Motorrad and show a bike in the latter stages of the development process.
The RC 8C is powered by the same 889cc, parallel-twin engine from the 890 Duke R, and the same engine is likely at the heart of this upcoming motorcycle. Meanwhile, the radiator seems larger, possibly compensating for the restricted cooling that the fairing will result in.
Components like the frame and swingarm have been based on the ones on the 890 Duke R, as well. VisorDown reports that the swingarm and frame use beefier frame tubes and a more robust-looking strut linkage, respectively.
In comparison, the track-only RC 8C has an entirely different frame that’s similar to the ones seen on Moto2 and Moto3 machines — a design that wouldn’t be feasible on a production bike.
As we mentioned earlier, the test mule looks like it’s pretty close to production. That said, it was seen sporting a blacked-out color scheme, so it’s hard to say what it’ll look like. If the RC 8C is anything to go by, this will be one good-looking motorcycle.
