Since my last instalment the RC8R has done a couple of Euro trips. So, the luggage wasn't a problem, I got on quite happily with my Kriega US 20, (Kriega stuff really is top notch) and just to make sure I didn't have to rely solely on the KTM rear seat as the only means of luggage security, I fabricated a couple of small brackets (lugs), that I located on the underside of the tail unit using existing bolts for the rear number plate hanger. These 'lugs' are for a longer bungee to attach to, one that goes right over your luggage to just add that extra luggage security and peace of mind. Brackets have been fabricated from old Fireblade radiator brackets, good old Honda!!

The KTM is exceeding expectations in virtually every dept (except rear view mirrors = useless), and the more I ride it, the more I appreciate it. It still has the best sports bike fairing by far, extremely protective, even for my 5' 11" tall frame and I am even getting on nicely with the ultra thin riders seat now. Once you get used to the seat, it isn't a problem at all, even long journeys on motorways; these do need to be avoided as much as possible though to really appreciate the true benefits of the bike.

Some may say it vibrates too much once above 5K revs, but I look at it from the point of view that KTM are letting you know you're alive and having fun and this bike delivers fun by the truck load. In France I saw an indicated 188 MPH on the clock, which on my GPS mounted slightly to the lower left of my line of sight was giving a true speed of 179 MPH!! So the RC8R is plenty fast enough to get you into all sorts of trouble with the local Gendarmerie and this is plenty fast enough for me!!

But it's not the top end that is the best bit, the bottom end and midrange allow for a lot of fun when things get twisty, combine this with superb steering, great feeling Brembo brakes and sublime WP suspension and you have a great package for any bendy stuff.

The bike came with Dunlop Sportsmart tyres, these being very good indeed, but I changed them for the second Euro trip to Metzeler M5 Interacts, only to find the Dunlops suited the bike better.

I also found that the bike came with front and rear preload settings that were too hard - even the KTM manual didn't advise the preload settings the bike came with!! But I do wonder if this was the dealer as opposed to KTM themselves, because when the bike went in for it's first service, I was asked "Would you like us to set up your suspension Sir, while the bikes in, only £80??". Naturally I declined, as I like doing my own suspension settings, but the question did make me wonder? However, now I have softened the preload off to a standard setting, the Metzeler rear seems much happier than it did before. But I do like the Dunlops more: same can't be said for the Dunlops on the 2011 R1 though. So it's a bike thing perhaps?

What I also find very pleasing about the bike is the attention to detail that KTM take and the way the bike is engineered and put together. I have not experienced this level with any Japanese bike I've owned and the likes of Triumph really wouldn't know where to start. When removing the wheels for fitting new tyres, I found the spindles and bearings were well greased, the wheel spacers weigh nothing, the rear paddock stand bolts and locators weigh nothing, the rear brake calliper housing has a lovely rear wheel spacer locator to make refitting of the rear wheel an absolute doddle, one of the chain adjusters is fixed to the rear wheel spindle, (less parts for relocating), and generally the whole kit is exceptionally well made, even the rear sprocket.

You may think I'm going over the top, but when you pay over £12K for a motorcycle, this is what you'd expect to get as a minimum, but I really can't praise KTM enough for the thought they put into the bike and the mods they have carried out since the first RC8 was unleashed, which was a bit poor to be fair. So, I'm now thinking of getting another KTM to sit alongside the RC8R in my garage, I really am that impressed! The only thing that would put me off owning the RC8R for the next few years is if it starts to become unreliable. To date I have only found 2 flaws, other than the mirrors:

1/ The side stand bolt needs retightening after a few rides, but it won't fall out, because it has a rubber stopper on the end, so KTM know it's an issue.

2/ When short shifting from 1st to 3rd, sometimes 3rd wouldn't select, but a minor adjustment to the gear lever solved this. If I want to get really picky, the Marchesini wheels are cast, not forged, but cast ones are cheaper and, and, and……mmmmm, oh yeah, no space under the seat!! But what sports bike, or even sports tourer, does have any storage these days??