KTM RC8R (Track), January 2021.
Kato has reached that point in life where it gets to (semi) retire. I bought this bike in 2012 to race. It was practically brand new and had only done one or two track days.
The bike is one of only a few that left the showroom in the state I got it. A race bike built by KTM to a standard from which to work from. It was never intended for road use and as such had none of the associated road gear.
It came straight from the factory with lots of KTM Powerparts bits on it. I took most of the original fitment parts off the bike and stored them. All of the showy, but mostly useless, carbon fibre came off. Anything that wasn’t functional from a racing/crashing point of view came off and was replaced with more robust parts.
I was forced to use the belly pan and nose cone for a short period so they have some marks. The frame, swing arm and a few other bits have a few battle scars and gravel rash but nothing major.
Aside from a few minor things like treaded tyres and different brake pads the bike now sits as it was the day I got it, complete with all the warning stickers on tank and fairings.
I will ride on trackdays but it will never get raced again (in fact, never say never). It served a purpose and I will always have a soft spot for this bike. I will not sell it and it will handed to my little girl when she is old enough to appreciate it. My boy will inherit my 749r.
