Ready To Race [Only]: 2022 KTM RC 8C for Sale

2022 KTM RC 8C
Kilometers: 985
Listed Price: $43,000 CAN [Approx $31,022 USD]

It may seem hard to believe, given KTM’s reputation as a maker of Very Fun Motorcycles but, in 2015, the CEO of the company publicly stated that they would cease production of their roadgoing RC8R superbike, as he felt that 200hp sportbikes didn’t belong on the street, although there were plans for dedicated track-only models. The “responsibility” angle did ring a bit hollow as they’d just introduced “The Beast” SuperDuke R with its massive v-twin to much fanfare, accompanied by wheelie/burnout videos. The move away from sportbikes was an especially odd choice, as the company also entered MotoGP in 2017, and having a superbike to sell might have made sense. Regardless, the company did follow through on introducing a very trick and enthusiast-focused trackday machine in the KTM RC 8C seen here. Interestingly, it was not powered by the stonkingly huge v-twin, but by the 890 parallel twin engine, here tuned to produce 126hp and suspended in a beautiful trellis frame by Krämer. In fact, the bike itself is an evolution of the 790-powered Krämer GP2 prototype. Everything on the bike it top-shelf, beautifully-crafted, and very exclusive. “Ready to Race” indeed.

The 2022 KTM RC 8C is a limited-production, 142kg track-only motorcycle built for high performance, featuring a bespoke chassis, an 889cc parallel-twin engine from the 890 Duke R, and race-spec components like WP suspension and Brembo brakes. It is a hand-built machine with lightweight, carbon-Kevlar reinforced bodywork, an Akrapovič exhaust, and an AIM data logger. Only 100 units were produced globally, with a specific allocation for markets like North America.

It is powered by an 889cc parallel twin engine, producing approximately 133hp and a dry weight of 142 kgs.

This hand-built motorcycle is one of only 100 RC 8Cs globally.

Immaculate condition, the odometer shows just 985 kms from new.

Key features

Engine: 889cc LC8c parallel-twin, producing approximately 133 horsepower.
Chassis: A bespoke 25CrMo4 steel tubular frame built by Krämer Motorcycles.
Suspension: WP APEX PRO components, including a fork with adjustable compression and rebound and a rear shock with high and low-speed compression adjusters built by the KTM MotoGP race department.
Brakes: Race-spec Brembo front calipers and a Brembo 19RCS Corsa Corta radial master cylinder.
Wheels and tires: Lightweight Dymag forged wheels fitted with Pirelli SC1 race slick tires.
Electronics: An AIM MXS 1.2 Race dashboard and data logger with an integrated GPS function, displayed on a 5-inch TFT screen.
Weight: A dry weight of approximately 142 kg.

This KTM RC 8C is a highly exclusive, track-only superbike, built in very limited numbers for serious riders and collectors alike. Offered with exceptionally low mileage, it represents an unmissable opportunity for enthusiasts of modern high-performance machines. Whether added to a discerning collection or taken to the circuit to explore its potential, this RC 8C promises an uncompromising and thrilling riding experience.

The seller does a pretty good job of describing the bike and, given the very limited use, there probably isn’t else much to say about its short history, in terms of both time and miles travelled. I’ve often bemoaned the proliferation of wildly overpowered hyperbikes that are only even rideable by normal humans by virtue of the sophisticated rider aids required to tame 200+hp outputs. Bikes like the KTM RC 8C are much more appealing to me: 126hp is still plenty powerful [see: Ducati 998], especially when combined with the KTM’s featherweight 313lb mass. It’s pricey, but very exclusive and the ultimate trackday weapon for discerning riders. Let’s hope this new “middleweight” [?!] formula, with added weight of road equipment, ends up being a big seller for KTM with their new 990 RC R.

-tad