IT Lives! KTM 1190 Rc8 Available In March
Fast New Metal
For a lot of you it's wet and dark outside (ha ha!), but I've been there, believe me. The snow's blowing, icicles are hanging over the windows and your bike sits tucked under a tarp in the corner of the garage, waiting for a mid-winter thaw so you can fire it up for a few hours and rip around the salt-caked roads.
But now is not the time to ignore it. In fact, it's the opportune time to get it ready for the coming season. Maybe score a new top clamp? How about powdercoating the wheels and rearsets or chroming some hardware? Hell, even just tear it down and clean it top to bottom and change the fluids while you're in there.
These are inexpensive modifications that will dramatically improve the appearance without burning a hole in your pocket. But the hidden pleasure is actually in the work.
Bike withdrawal symptoms can include making revving sounds while driving the family minivan or tugging on the steering wheel as you drive over crests in the road, and the way to remedy these maladies is with some hands-on attention. Leave the snowman construction to the wife and kids so you can get busy on your bike. You'll be surprised what a bit of mild wrenching and modifying can do for your sense of well-being, and the time spent waiting for parts to return from paint or chrome will help chip away at the frost as well. Before you know it you'll be strapping up to ride again.
The RC8's completion isn't a huge surprise-it was first seen at the European bike shows three years ago, but this concept bike was so radical in appearance that actual production seemed like a long shot.
The menacing machine's 1190cc V-twin engine is a larger version of the Super Duke's competent mill, and the claimed 155 peak horsepower should put it "right there" with the other literbikes.
Housed in a tubular steel frame, the totally redesigned cylinder head brings out more bite, while EFI from Keihin has electronics providing a cold start and idle-speed regulator, lambda control and a clever altitude-compensation sensor.
Though the upgraded motor sounds like it'll fit the bill, KTM could've plopped one of its 450cc dirtbike motors in and the RC8 would still tear it up with top-shelf suspension. WP components are seen up front and at the peculiar rear linkage, while Brembo calipers front and rear, along with brake and clutch master cylinders from the same company, finish off the high-end suspension spec list.
Rivaling an F-18 in complexity, the dash might be a bit confusing. | 
Big Brembos come stock. | 
A cool design, but we'd still hack off the signals. |
Some of the cool extras are an adjustable seat height and a stock steering damper. Additionally, the taillights and indicators appear to be arranged in a cool cluster of LEDs.
Though the claimed "ready to ride" weight is 440 pounds, we'll wait until we have one on the scale to decide for sure, as manufacturers' claimed weights can sometimes contain some interesting variables.
If orange and black doesn't grab your attention, the white and black option surely will (we haven't seen pics yet, but apparently they exist). Though an MSRP isn't available just yet, word on the street is that it should be competitive with the other rides in its class.
After watching KTM's promo video we don't care how much it'll run-we just want it!
Check out www.ktm-rc8.net to see it rip, but keep a paper towel handy for the inevitable drool.
Hot And Sticky: Pirelli Diablo RossoAccording to Pirelli, the Diablo Rosso ( Rosso is Italian for 'red') is not just a new tire, it is helping to define a lifestyle and represents the desires and demands of modern bikers. It is made specifically for the supersport street rider who finds himself in situations ranging from a jaunt through town, his favorite back road and the occasional track day.
To show the versatility of the new tire, Pirelli invited Super Streetbike out for a day of play to demonstrate just how well the new Diablo Rosso performs.