Tank Slap - Motorcycle Forum

duke63 wrote:
Take it from me, there isn't much grip on the grass on the outside of the hairpin

But you get a great photo

Weird I really like that blade and colour now, more so than before,.

Great helmet I had one of those ,ace design

Lovely bike, I do fancy one of them.....enjoy.

Just sneaked out for a quick blast so here's a small review and initial thoughts

Handling 10/10 sublime it looks a big bike but somehow like a toy to ride
Gearbox 3/10 out of a tractor simply awful
Brakes 10/10 mega stopping power but nice and progressive
Power 8/10 pulls like a train very deceptive as well, it eats up the Tarmac
Fuelling 4/10 it surges at low speed and I have never ridden a bike with such a snatchy throttle
Tyres 10/10 heat up quick and grip like shit
Comfort 8/10 very comfy for a sports bike,I dropped the seat down but going to put it back up again

Will be interested to see what kwacky thinks of it who he has a go on Monday but overall I'm very happy ,I think the fuelling can be sorted but not so sure about the gearbox

How many miles has the bike done?

Kwacky wrote:How many miles has the bike done?

9000 why you ask

just wondering about the gearbox. They can be rough when they're new.

Kwacky wrote:just wondering about the gearbox. They can be rough when they're new.

Yea I get you but I don't think it's that ,I think it's just shit design

grind them until they smooth out

Good write up Perkles. I believe you can sort the fuelling and improve the gearbox action which would make it almost perfect.
Speak to cookie he knows the bike inside out and which mods are worthwhile.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Kwacky - also interested to hear your comments.

Interesting. The gearbox will never be 10/10 that's for sure, but mine only really gets a false neutral occasionally now. You need to show it's who's boss

Seriously, the fuelling can be improved by getting a tuneecu cable and loading up tuneecu. I will then send you my map which is much better, not perfect but much better. Also O2 eliminators and race air filter.

Gearbox.... You need a spindle shift holder from Sato http://www.satoracing.com/rearsetsKTMRC ... iftspindle" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. It holds the spindle so both ends are supported as there is too much slack in the spindle usually.

I bought Sato rear sets too but I wouldn't bother to start with as it's best to make incremental steps. It does sound like the ktm recall on the gearbox may or may not have been done. There is a website that will tell you but I'll have to try and find it. Alternatively call redline ktm in Leicestershire (Melton Mowbray). Nice ride to it too. The best ktm dealer in the uk IMO and very very clued up on the rc8. They have been a big help to me and I only have mine serviced there.

The biggest change to the gearbox is to have a play with the peg and shifter adjustment. We all have different ways and movement in how we change gear and it's worth making a change to the adjustment and see how it changes the gear change, it has lots of adjustment as standard. You have to be very positive with the gear change with a staccato push to move up and down. A slow movement of the foot usually ends up in it bouncing around and crunching from time to time. Now I've had mine a while it does change fine and it's second nature.

I experimented with a quick shifter too and that does help a little as it takes load off the gearbox as you go to change, but it didn't make enough of a difference to justify the cost tbh for me but I was having budget constraints at the time! The gearbox will never be more than 7/10.

You also need a progressive throttle tube as they came with a race tube fitted as standard and a progressive tube in the bag, but most get lost. The progressive tube with a tight throttle cable is much better too.

I love mine as it's not too easy to ride but the way it puts the power down and goes round corners is fabulous. All theses little changes do make a big difference IMO.

Happy to help you whenever based on my experience. as with most of my bikes I've had it apart and back together

Great write up Cookie.

I saw an orange RC8 on the snake pass yesterday. He was going the opposite way to me but boy was he getting a shake on.

There was a Desmosedici playing up there yesterday afternoon too.

To be honest I will get used to the gearbox so maybe being abit harsh it feels similar to my ducati monster box a bit clunky at times,but I cannot in no way live with that snatchy throttle I actually think it's dangerous
Thanks cookie I will buy a cable today
Did I mention the handling is sublime actually mind blowing to me,my old gsxr 750 had k-tech suspension and was set up perfectly for me but the ktm is leagues ahead of it

Perkles wrote:To be honest I will get used to the gearbox so maybe being abit harsh it feels similar to my ducati monster box a bit clunky at times,but I cannot in no way live with that snatchy throttle I actually think it's dangerous
Thanks cookie I will buy a cable today
Did I mention the handling is sublime actually mind blowing to me,my old gsxr 750 had k-tech suspension and was set up perfectly for me but the ktm is leagues ahead of it

They are very good out the box. It flatters my riding every time I ride it tbh. It's very good at turning in when you reach the corner too quickly as it steers well on the front with lots of weight transfer too. I softened the front slightly, even better IMO.

Get a progressive throttle tube. 50% of the battle right there.

Brilliant write up Perkles looking forward to taking a look on one of the ride outs :-)

Cookie this cable ? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TUNE-ECU-DIAG ... 53ed8a0fc4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Perkles wrote:Cookie this cable ? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TUNE-ECU-DIAG ... 53ed8a0fc4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Nearly, but you need a ktm specific part as well...

You need this one as it has both parts you need in one

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TUNE-ECU-DIAG ... 58a6f6c092

Just been for a quick blast with kwacky ,it didn't take long but I just gelled with the bike,I adjusted the throttle cable last night and it doesn't feel as jerky.By god that engines got some serious stomp ,it throws you back in your seat when overtaking ,can't wait for more