KTM RC8 vs Yamaha R1

The KTM RC8 vs the Yamaha R1? Bring it on!!

Pics: Motorevue

In their latest issue, French magazine Motorevue would be doing a full-blown shootout between the hot new KTM 1190 RC8 and the mighty Yamaha R1. Pitting French-spec (?) 100bhp versions of the two machines against each other, Motorevue came to the conclusion that while the R1 remains unbeaten for top speed, the RC8 holds many advantages over the Japanese bike. According to MR, the RC8 has less demanding ergonomics, is more stable at high speeds, offers more cornering precision, and that its wonderfully unconventional styling has more ‘character.’

Here are Motorevue's figures for the two bikes:

KTM 1190 RC8
Top speed: >230km/h
Power: 104.9bhp (measured at the crank)
Dry weight: 188kg
Price: 16,250 euros

Yamaha YZF R1
Top speed: >230km/h
Power: 114bhp (measured at the crank)
Dry weight: 172kg
Price: 13,590 euros