Photo: Bring a Trailer
KTM is a rather strange company. Founded in 1934 as a fitter’s and car repair shop, the Austrian corporation is so diverse these days that it’s hard to keep track of what’s new. Thankfully, we’ll be talking about the past today.
Enter the 1190 RC8 R Race Spec, a track bike that numbers only 20 units in the United States of America. Chassis number VBRV9430BM975385 is currently listed on Bring a Trailer with seven days to go and $6,000 after two bids, peanuts in comparison to the retail price of $20k for the 2011 model year.
2,000 miles (3,219 kilometers) on the odo isn’t too much for the V-twin engine with a capacity of 1,195 cubic centimeters, nor enough to demand any kind of service to the six-speed transmission with a hydraulic dog clutch. The question is, what makes this track-only weekend warrior so special over the road version?
Well, let’s talk power and weight. 180 ponies in a bike that tips the scales at less than 400 pounds is serious performance, hence the rarity and MSRP of the Race Spec. The 1.2-liter engine also happens to fire a single plug per cylinder under 7,000 rpm then both at higher revolutions per minute. A thinner head gasket increases compression over the road bike, but the differences don’t end here, oh no they don’t!
The wiring harness, fuel mapping, and Akrapovic Evo 4 exhaust system are only a few of the highlights. Carbon-fiber BST wheels and Dunlop radial slicks are on the menu, along with Brembo brakes as well as a WP steering damper.
Currently located in California, the bike is joined by the manufacturer’s certificate of origin and a bill of sale. “Wear marks from track use” can be seen in the photo gallery, but nevertheless, battle scars are a badge of honor for this KTM.
As one commenter said on BaT about the 1190 RC8 R Race Spec, “screw the murder hornets, this is how I want to go! What an awesome piece of machinery!”
2,000 miles (3,219 kilometers) on the odo isn’t too much for the V-twin engine with a capacity of 1,195 cubic centimeters, nor enough to demand any kind of service to the six-speed transmission with a hydraulic dog clutch. The question is, what makes this track-only weekend warrior so special over the road version?
Well, let’s talk power and weight. 180 ponies in a bike that tips the scales at less than 400 pounds is serious performance, hence the rarity and MSRP of the Race Spec. The 1.2-liter engine also happens to fire a single plug per cylinder under 7,000 rpm then both at higher revolutions per minute. A thinner head gasket increases compression over the road bike, but the differences don’t end here, oh no they don’t!
The wiring harness, fuel mapping, and Akrapovic Evo 4 exhaust system are only a few of the highlights. Carbon-fiber BST wheels and Dunlop radial slicks are on the menu, along with Brembo brakes as well as a WP steering damper.
Currently located in California, the bike is joined by the manufacturer’s certificate of origin and a bill of sale. “Wear marks from track use” can be seen in the photo gallery, but nevertheless, battle scars are a badge of honor for this KTM.
As one commenter said on BaT about the 1190 RC8 R Race Spec, “screw the murder hornets, this is how I want to go! What an awesome piece of machinery!”
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