Born out of decades of experience and untold millions in R&D, MotoGP bikes offer the absolute pinnacle of motorcycle performance. It’s very seldom that premier class mounts are offered for sale to the general public, with factory racers typically being sold down to satellite teams after their inaugural season. So it’s a bit of a shocker to hear KTM is putting two RC16 bikes from the 2018 season up for sale.
After the Ready To Race Brand decided to try its luck in the premier class, KTM brought on a full team of experts that spent two years developing the steel-framed racer before it finally made its debut at Valencia as a wildcard entry at the end of the 2016 season. The two-wheeled rocket is powered by a 1,000cc, V4 that made a claimed 250hp+ and spun to a cool 19,000rpm. Wrapped around the potent V4 is KTM’s signature steel tubular trellis frame which is paired with a beefy aluminum swingarm.
The RC16 features all the cutting-edge equipment and technology that one would expect on a MotoGP racer — full titanium Akrapovic exhaust, Magneti Marelli MotoGP electronics package, Brembo brakes, and some very trick WP suspenders. Adorned in full Wethje carbon composite bodywork, the Austrian racer tips the scales at just 346 lbs. Despite a strong effort from KTM, the RedBull-backed team struggled to find its footing over the course of its first two seasons, however the RC16 did claim the bottom rung of the podium at the final round of the 2018 season at Valencia.
In addition to the bikes themselves, the sale of each RC16 includes a set of Pol Espargaro’s race leathers and (autographed) helmet, and a myriad of random KTM swag. The price also gets you unrestricted access to the RedBull KTM Factory Team paddock at any round of your choosing, plus a meet and greet with Pol, and KTM’s newest pilot, Johann Zarco.
In what was seemingly an effort to help offset the enormous development costs of the RC16, the Austrian outfit announced it would be offering replica RC16 machines to privateers. While the six-figure track weapons are undeniably amazing bikes, they still aren’t quite as elite as the company’s actual MotoGP machines, making this a very rare and special opportunity. To get a sense of what it’s like to own an ex-MotoGP missile, the guys at 44Teeth did an awesome video in which they talk to the owner of several premier class Ducatis:
The asking price for these 2018 KTM Factory RC16 racers is $284,300 (or €250,000). For anyone interested in adding the ultimate race bike to their stable, you can contact RC16@KTM.com for more info. [Editor’s Note: but you better let me know if you buy one!]
Photos courtesy KTM.