SUPERBIKE9: August 2013

8/05/2013

2013 KTM 1190 RC8 R

OVERVIEW

The ultimate power tool from KTM. KTM designers pulled out all the stops in the art of engine building when it came to the 1190 RC8 R 2013. The rider has one of the most powerful V2 engines of our times and one of the best chassis in the world at his or her disposal - totally street-legal. With the precision to cut out the others when entering the corner. With the power and traction to pull away from them exiting the corner. With the feedback and ergonomics to enjoy the 1190 RC8 R 2013 to the full.

FRAME

The 2013 KTM RC8 R’s thin-walled, 7.3 kg light tubular lattice frame of high-strength chrome-molybdenum steel sets standards in dimensional stability and lightweight construction. Its optimal stiffness distribution results in fantastic precision and unparalleled stability.

SWINGARM

The intricately made light alloy swingarm makes a significant contribution to the outstanding traction of the KTM RC8 R. The position of the swingarm can be adjusted by means of an eccentric on the lever linkage. In this way, compression can be minimised and squatting prevented when accelerating out of corners.

LINKAGE

The progressiveness of the linkage provides the shock absorber with refined responsiveness and still with sufficient reserves at peak loads. The position of the swingarm can be adjusted to the rider’s riding style and weight on the easily accessible eccentric adjuster on the linkage, and squatting on acceleration prevented.

SHOCK ABSORBER

The sophisticated internal mechanism of the WP shock absorber on the 2013 RC8 R completely isolates the rebound damping from the compression stage, so that they can each be adjusted independently of one another. The compression damping can also be set for high speed and low speed. The suspension set-up range extends comfortably to racing conditions.

TELESCOPIC FORK

The high-quality upside-down fork from WP Suspension can be adjusted separately for preload as well as for compression and rebound damping of the suspension. Their adjustment ranges extend from country road comfort to tough racing conditions. In addition, a WP steering damper keeps the forks on track, even under extreme conditions.

BRAKES

The RC8 R’s brake system with the highest quality Brembo® components functions perfectly, sensitively and steadily. At the front, for example, two radially-mounted, four-piston brake callipers and two 320 mm diameter and 5 mm thick semi-floating brake discs provide massive stopping power.

WHEELS AND TYRES

The lightweight, Marchesini, aluminium die-cast wheels on the KTM RC8 R are fitted with Continental Sport Attack II tyres. These top-quality tyres provide outstanding ride characteristics and endless grip, whether on a wet country road or a scorching hot racetrack. With a decent service life, they support the unique qualities of the KTM chassis at all times.

SETTING OPTIONS

The 2013 RC8 R not only offers extraordinarily relaxed ergonomics for all its supreme sportiness, but also more ergonomic setting options than any other series production superbike. Footrests: two heights, each with two positional variants. Foot levers: variable lever operating angle and lever length. Seat: two heights. Hand levers: variable. Handlebar: two heights and two angles.

ENGINE

With its 129 kW (173 hp) of power, the V2 on the KTM RC8 R can be considered as the measure of all things for ultra-sporty twins, with maximum performance, predictable characteristics and high reliability. The KTM engine impresses with an extremely broad rev range and spontaneous throttle response, while supplying supreme ride quality.

ANTI-HOPPING CLUTCH

Saves power, helps in slides: The new anti-hopping clutch not only opens when the engine back-torque becomes too high, it also closes with the force of the clutch springs when you open up the throttle. The former prevents annoying rear wheel chatter when braking sharply or decelerating – and gives the wheel just that bit of braking for a controlled rear wheel slide. The latter allows the clutch to be pulled and controlled with the little finger – which saves energy when riding.

CYLINDER HEAD

The main reasons for the outstanding performance of the RC8 R 2013 V-twin with 75° cylinder angle are the state-of-the-art cylinder heads with twin plug ignition, flow-optimised ducts and cam follower drive for the valves (intake: titanium; exhaust: steel). For tuners: Valve timing is adjustable via the camshaft gears.

TWIN PLUG IGNITION

The twin plug ignition system on the latest RC8 R fires the two differently sized spark plugs in each cylinder head independently of each other in such a way that more efficient combustion and a smoother, optimally controlled combustion sequence are achieved at all times. The result: even more and even better controlled power, lower fuel consumption, and less emissions.

INJECTION / ENGINE MANAGEMENT

The electronic Keihin engine management with twin throttle valves regulates the modern electronic fuel injection system on the 2013 KTM RC8 R, focussing on maximum power with predictable power development and spontaneous responsiveness with precisely controllable throttle response.

PISTONS

The forged piston structure on the RC8 R, borrowed from Formula 1, results in a high loading capacity, despite the extremely short and lightweight design. This minimises the reciprocating weight and optimises the responsiveness and free-revving nature of the engine.

CRANKSHAFT

The smooth shape of the crank webs on the latest KTM RC8 R results in low-loss running of the crank drive; the modified weight distribution of the crankshaft and a newly dimensioned alternator rotor improve the smooth running of the engine. Together they optimise the load change behaviour of the engine.

INJECTION / ENGINE MANAGEMENT

The electronic Keihin engine management system with twin throttle valves regulates the modern electronic fuel injection system on the RC8 R, focussing on maximum power with predictable power development and spontaneous responsiveness with precisely controllable throttle response.

SWINGARM

The intricately made light alloy swingarm makes a significant contribution to the outstanding traction of the RC8 R. The position of the swingarm can be adjusted by means of an eccentric on the lever linkage. In this way, compression can be minimised and squatting prevented when accelerating out of corners.

LINKAGE

SHOCK ABSORBER

The sophisticated internal mechanism of the WP shock absorber on the RC8 R completely isolates the rebound damping from the compression stage, so that they can each be adjusted independently of one another. The compression damping can also be set for high speed and low speed. The suspension set-up range extends comfortably to racing conditions.

TELESCOPIC FORK

SETTING OPTIONS

The 2013 KTM RC8 R not only offers extraordinarily relaxed ergonomics for all its supreme sportiness, but also more ergonomic setting options than any other series production superbike. Footrests: two heights, each with two positional variants. Foot levers: variable lever operating angle and lever length. Seat: two heights. Hand levers: variable. Handlebar: two heights and two angles.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine Design	2-cylinder, 4-stroke, spark-ignition engine, 75° V arrangement, liquid-cooled
Displacement	1,195 cm³
Bore	105 mm
Stroke	69 mm
Performance	129 kW (173 hp)
Starting aid	Electric starter
Transmission	6-speed, claw shifted
Engine lubrication	Dry-sump lubrication with 3 rotor pumps
Primary gear ratio	40:76
Secondary gear ratio	17:37
Cooling system	Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump
Clutch	PASC™ Anti-hopping clutch / hydraulically operated
Ignition system	Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment
Frame	Tubular space frame made from chrome molybdenum steel, powder-coated
Forks	WP Suspension Up Side Down
Shock absorber	WP Suspension Monoshock
Suspension travel front	120 mm
Suspension travel rear	120 mm
Brake system front	Twin-disc brake with radially mounted four-piston brake calipers; floating brake discs
Brake system rear	Single-disc brake with two-piston brake caliper; fixed brake disc
Brake discs - diameter front	320 mm
Brake discs - diameter rear	220 mm
Chain	5/8 x 5/16” X‑Ring
Steering head angle	66.7°
Wheelbase	1,425 mm
Ground clearance (unloaded)	110 mm
Seat height (unloaded) lower subframe position	805 mm
Seat height (unloaded) upper subframe position	825 mm
Total fuel tank capacity approx.	16.5 l Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON)
Weight without fuel approx.	184 kg

2013 Honda CBR1000RR

The Honda CBR1000RR is one of the sportiest models developed by the Japanese manufacturer. Though, even if the bike is one of the most capable models in its class, Honda still wanted to make a few upgrades.

Honda’s engineers wanted to obtain a perfect mix between power, handling, riding quality, and overall build quality, and we’ll have to admit that the result is quite fascinating.

The 2013 Honda CBR100RR is propelled by a 999cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder mated on a six speed transmission. For first class performances the Honda CBR100 RR is also packed with a modern slipper clutch which assures full power transmission with smooth shifting and a light clutch pull at the lever.

Honda offers the motorcycle in two versions, one with Combined Anti-Lock Braking System (C-ABS), the first ever on a production Superbike. The 2013 Honda CBR1000RR is offered with a starting price of $13,800.

Hit the jump for more information on the Honda CBR1000RR

Press release

Honda Electronic Steering Damper

The compact second-generation HESD helps maintain predictable high-speed handling and low-speed maneuverability. Way more sophisticated than a simple fixed-rate damper, it’s one of the keys to the CBR1000RR’s extraordinary handling.

LCD Instrumentation

The CBR1000RR’s full-screen LCD instrumentation includes a lap timer, trip and fuel-consumption computer, five-level customizable shift indicator, gear-position indicator and peak-rpm memory function.

Combined ABS Brakes.

The CBR1000RR’s Combined ABS (C-ABS) system is the first of its kind on a Superbike. Even the most critical motorcycle testers rave about how well it works. Find out what the experts have to say about this revolutionary feature.

Twin-Spar Aluminum Chassis

Four-piece aluminum frame design balances strength, rigidity, and lightness. Wrapped tightly around the engine, the structure helps centralize the CBR1000RR’s mass for more responsive handling—some of the best anywhere on two wheels.

Dual-Stage Fuel Injection

Two sets of injectors per cylinder for both low- and high-rpm performance. Instantaneous high-rpm response, along with great low-rpm metering and clean running.

Layered Fairing

There’s no mistaking the 2013 CBR1000RR, thanks to its Layered Fairing bodywork. Lean, mean, more aggressive from front to back, it’s a real attention getter, even when it’s standing still.

Assisted Slipper Clutch

Superbikes can deliver a great deal of backtorque through the driveline, upsetting handling. Not the CBR1000RR. Its Honda-designed Assisted Slipper Clutch is the same type used on our MotoGP bikes. The design does away with the need for heavy clutch springs ensuring full power transmission with smooth shifting and a light clutch pull at the lever.

Gull-Wing Swingarm

The CBR1000RR’s braced aluminum "gull wing" swingarm is deliberately long. That helps deliver improved traction and gives the rider excellent chassis feedback.

BPF Front Suspension

The CBR1000RR’s front suspension uses a Big Piston Fork (BPF). The 43mm Showa fork is smoother and more responsive, and gives you excellent front-end feedback.

Unit Pro-Link Rear Suspension

The CBR1000RR features premium suspension front and rear. In the back, the Unit Pro Link design uses a Balance Free Rear shock that uses a double-tube design for smoother and more accurate response.

12-Spoke Wheels

With their consistent rigidity and balance, these sharp-looking 12-spoke cast aluminum wheels work with the BPF fork to enhance suspension feedback to deliver real handling improvements.

Specifications

Engine Type	999cc liquid-cooled inline four-cylinder
Bore And Stroke	76mm x 55.1mm
Induction	Programmed Dual Stage Fuel Injection (PGM-DSFI) with 46mm throttle bodies, Denso 12-hole injectors
Ignition	Computer-controlled digital transistorized with 3-D mapping
Compression Ratio	12.3:1
Valve Train	DOHC; four valves per cylinder
Transmission	Close-ratio six-speed
Final Drive	#530 O-ring-sealed chain
Front Suspension	43mm inverted Big Piston fork with spring preload, rebound and compression damping adjustability; 4.3 inches travel
Rear Suspension	Unit Pro-Link Balance Free Rear Shock with spring preload, rebound and compression-damping adjustability; 5.4 inches travel
Front Brake	Dual radial-mounted four-piston calipers with full floating 320mm discs
Rear Brake	Single-caliper 220mm disc
Front Tires	120/70ZR-17 radial
Rear Tires	190/50ZR-17 radial
Trail	96.0mm (3.8 inches)
Wheelbase	55.5 inches
Seat Height	32.3 inches
Curb Weight	439 pounds (Includes all standard equipment, required fluids and full tank of fuel ready to ride.)
Fuel Capacity	4.7 gallons, including 1.06-gallon reserve
Miles Per Gallon	41 MPG
Available Colors	Red, Repsol Edition,White/Blue/Red

2013 Triumph Daytona 675

On balance, even better to ride. The previous Daytona 675 certainly is a tough act to follow. So just how did we improve on it? The all-new triple motor is more compact, and more powerful, which allowed us to re-design the frame to be smaller, lighter and narrower than before. That, combined with a bigger airbox, new swingarm, lighter wheels and new, sharper, bodywork means we’ve succeeded in making the new Daytona 675 more agile, more responsive, and more forgiving than ever before.

To ensure the new Daytona 675 had the perfect balance of power and performance, we looked at every component. From the motor to the frame to the wheels to the lights, even to individual nuts and bolts, we made them lighter, stronger, smaller, smoother. We did whatever we had to do to make this bike, above all bikes, perfect.

Engine

The daytona’s triple engine is completely new. The cylinder block is now solid aluminium with ceramic coated liners, making the whole unit inherently stronger. This allowed us to increase the torque and engine speed, giving you more power. Amazingly, we could achieve all this whilst maintaining an overall narrow and compact package. Power is up from 125ps to 128ps and from 73nm to 75nm.

By increasing the rev limit to 14,400 rpm, with a larger bore and shorter stroke, the engine is now even more responsive to rider input. Peak power is now at 12,600rpm running up to that new redline, and with more power delivered more smoothly throughout the rev range – roll the throttle and you’ll be rewarded with instant drive. To give the motor more air to breathe, we increased the size of the air intake and channelled the airflow through the headstock, so we can force even more air in and create more power.

The new engine now operates with twin injectors per cylinder, which are both compact and provide more accurate fuelling. Revised mapping has helped boost the torque throughout the rev range. But we’ve also made this daytona engine cleaner and therefore more fuel-efficient . A more powerful triple engine, revving at higher speeds, demanded the highest specification valves. We chose titanium for the new daytona 675. Not only are they stronger, they’re lighter and have been reshaped to provide a smoother gas flow , resulting in performance boosts throughout the rev range.

Mass centralisation

The closer to the centre a bike it carries its weight, the better handling the bike will be. By relocating the silencer to under the engine, rapid direction changes are now more fluid and more controlled. Rider input is rewarded with an incredibly controlled response.

Suspension

Front and rear kyb suspension is, of course, fully adjustable. Both front and rear suspension have the added advantage of separate low- and high-speed compression damping adjustment, making the daytona as forgiving on the road as it is focused on the track. The daytona 675r goes one step further, boasting race-spec öhlins suspension, front and rear.

Brakes

Nissin radial calipers on the front, give amazing stopping power and confidence-inspiring feel through the lever. The rear nissin caliper is lighter than before, helping to reduce the unsprung mass, which further improves handling and agility.

Wheels and tyres

Something as simple as reducing the weight of the wheels can have a dramatic effect on handling. Lighter wheels reduce unsprung mass and minimize the gyroscopic effect of a spinning wheel. This makes it easier to turn the bike in and hold a line through the corner. We’ve put race-derived pirelli supercorsa tyres on to give you the grip to match the potential lean angles.

Specifications

Engine type	Liquid-cooled, 12 valve, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder
Capacity	675cc
Bore/Stroke	76.0 x 49.6mm
Fuel System	Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection with forced air induction and SAI
Exhaust	Stainless steel 3 into 1 system with valve in secondary and under engine silencer
Final Drive	O ring chain
Clutch	Wet, multi-plate, slipper.
Gearbox	6-speed, close ratio
Oil Capacity	3.6 litres (1.0 US gals)
Frame	Front - Aluminium beam twin spar / Rear - 2 piece high pressure die cast
Swingarm	Braced, twin-sided, aluminium alloy with adjustable pivot position
Wheel	Front: Cast aluminium alloy 5-spoke 17 x 3.5in
	Rear: Cast aluminium alloy 5-spoke 17 x 5.5in
Tire	Front :120/70 ZR 17
	Rear: 180/55 ZR 17
Suspension	Front :KYB 41mm upside down forks with adjustable preload, rebound and high/low speed compression damping, 110mm travel
	Rear :KYB monoshock with piggy back reservoir adjustable for preload, rebound and high/low speed compression damping, 130mm rear wheel travel
Brakes	Front :Twin 308mm floating discs, Nissin 4-piston radial mono-block calipers (Switchable ABS model available)
	Rear: Single 220mm disc, Nissin single piston caliper (Switchable ABS model available)
Instrument Display/Functions	LCD multi-functional instrument pack with digital speedometer, trip computer, analogue tachometer, lap timer, gear position indicator and programmable gear change lights and clock, coded key immobiliser, TPMS ready and switchable ABS (where fitted).
Length	2045mm (80.4in)
Width (handlebars)	695mm (27.3in)
Height without mirrors	1112mm (43.7in)
Seat Height	820mm (32.3in)
Wheelbase	1375mm (54.1in)
Rake/Trail	22.9º/87.2mm
Fuel Tank Capacity / Efficiency	17.4 litres (4.6 US gals)
Wet Weight (ready to ride)	184kg (405lbs)
Maximum Power	128PS / 126bhp / 94kW @ 12500rpm
Maximum Torque	74Nm / 55ft.lbs @ 11900rpm