KTM unveils new superbike

These are the first pictures of KTM’s new LC8 1000cc V-twin superbike.

The RC8 is one of the most radical bikes we have seen in recent years with styling like nothing offered by the Japanese or Italian factories. See more exclusive pictures in this week’s MCN, out Wednesday October 22.

The bike was premiered at the Tokyo motorcycle show this week, in Japan. And although it is still just a prototype, all of KTM’s recent projects, such as the 990 Super Duke, have made it to production with only minor tweaks to the overall design.

The RC8 has a tubular steel chassis with a solid aluminium swingarm, the most compact V-twin engine in its class making 130bhp, race-spec WP suspension, and a class-leading 175kg weight. But it is not expected to be ready for production until 2006 and will cost an estimated £10,000.

For full details of the stunning new superbike, check out this week’s MCN, out now.

Also in this week’s issue we reveal the first two-wheel-drive production bike. Yamaha has been developing two-wheel drive off road bikes for a number of years but the new system will go in to full production by spring.

We also reveal the secrets of BMW’s new R1200GS, show you Suzuki’s new throttle-less V-twin engine, and get the first ride on the Ducati ST3.

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