2012 KTM RC8R 1190 Specifications

Name: 2012 KTM RC8R 1190
Brand: KTM

Sport • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2012 KTM RC8R 1190 Overview

For 2012, KTM offers the RC8R 1190 as a sport motorcycle with 1195 cc on tap. The 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 is built around a Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 13.5 :1. Out on the road, the RC8R 1190 delivers 129 kW @ 10250 rpm of peak power and 127 Nm @ 8000 rpm of torque. Flat out, it's quoted at 271.4 km/h. In everyday use, the 2012 RC8R 1190 tips the scales at 186 kg, carries a 16.5-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 805 mm - 825 mm and spans a 1425 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 16.7 kg lighter than the average sport motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 spec sheet below.

2012 RC8R 1190 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Strong power output: Peak output on the RC8R 1190 is 129 kW @ 10250 rpm and 127 Nm @ 8000 rpm of torque - strong numbers for what it is.

Considerations

Chain final drive upkeep: A chain drivetrain is the most common setup in its class, but it's also the one that demands the most regular hands-on maintenance.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Cooling system servicing

With Liquid cooling, thermal management is largely automatic, but the coolant has a service life of its own - replace it on the manufacturer's interval to protect the water passages and thermostat.

Brake disc and pad wear

2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by 43mm WP Upside down adjustable up front and WP shock, fully adjustable at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Chain final drive on the RC8R 1190 means routine lubing and tension checks are part of ownership - skip them and sprocket wear accelerates noticeably.

Frame & chassis check

The Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium Handlebar Aluminium stump handlebar chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.

RC8R 1190 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept RC8R 1190 settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a RC8R 1190's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Carburetor upkeep

A RC8R 1190 that's sat unused is almost always a carb-cleaning job before it runs right again - float bowls and pilot jets first, since they clog before anything else.

2012 KTM RC8R 1190 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 have?

The 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 uses a Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder engine with 1195 cc of displacement. It is liquid cooling.

What is the top speed of the 2012 KTM RC8R 1190?

The 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 has a factory-quoted top speed of 271.4 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.

How much does the 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 weigh?

The 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 weighs 186 kg. This is the manufacturer's dry figure.

How much power does the 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 make?

The 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 produces 129 kW @ 10250 rpm of power and 127 Nm @ 8000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 KTM RC8R 1190?

The 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 has a 16.5-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 275-330 km between stops.

Is the 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 suitable for shorter riders?

The 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 has a seat height of 805 mm - 825 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.

What brakes does the 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 have?

The 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 uses 2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers at the front and Single 240mm disc at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 use?

The 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 runs 120/70 ZR17 front and 190/55 ZR17 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

What gearbox does the 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 have?

The 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 is fitted with a 6 Speed claw shifted transmission.

KTM RC8R 1190 Spec Evolution

The KTM RC8R 1190 was produced across 8 model years (2008-2015). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015
Max Power	125 kW @ 10250 rpm	167.6 hp / 122.4 kW) @ 10250 rpm	167.6 hp / 122.4 kW) @ 10250 rpm	129 kW / 175 hp @ 10250 rpm	129 kW / 175 hp @ 10250 rpm	129 kW / 175 hp @ 10250 rpm	129 kW / 175 hp @ 10250 rpm	129 kW / 175 hp @ 10250 rpm
Dry Weight	-	182 kg / 405.23 lb (no fuel)	182 kg / 405.23 lb (no fuel)	186.0 kg / 410.1 lbs	186.0 kg / 410.1 lbs	186.0 kg / 410.1 lbs	186.0 kg / 410.1 lbs	186.0 kg / 410.1 lbs
Engine Detail	Liquid cooling, four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder	Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Seat Height	805 mm / 825 mm	805 mm / 825 mm	805 mm / 825 mm	805 mm - 825 mm / 31.69in - 32.48in	805 mm - 825 mm / 31.69in - 32.48in	805 mm - 825 mm / 31.69in - 32.48in	805 mm - 825 mm / 31.69in - 32.48in	805 mm - 825 mm / 31.69in - 32.48in
Fuel Capacity	16.5 Litres / 4.3 gal	16.5 Litres / 3.5 gal	16.5 Litres / 3.5 gal	16.5 Litres / 4.3 gal	16.5 Litres / 4.3 gal	16.5 Litres / 4.3 gal	16.5 Litres / 4.3 gal	16.5 Litres / 4.3 gal
Frame Type	Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium	Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium	Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium	Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium Handlebar Aluminium stump handlebar	Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium Handlebar Aluminium stump handlebar	Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium Handlebar Aluminium stump handlebar	Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium Handlebar Aluminium stump handlebar	Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium Handlebar Aluminium stump handlebar
Displacement	1195	1195 cc / 73.0 cu-in	1195 cc / 73.0 cu-in	1195 cc / 73.0 cu-in	1195 cc / 73.0 cu-in	1195 cc / 73.0 cu-in	1195 cc / 73.0 cu-in	1195 cc / 73.0 cu-in
Brakes - Front	2x 320mm discs Brembo 4 piston calipers	2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers	2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers	2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers	2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers	2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers	2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers	2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers

Key Specifications

Engine

Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder

Power

129 kW / 175 hp @ 10250 rpm

Torque

127 Nm / 93.6 lb-ft @ 8000 rpm

Top Speed

271.4 km/h

Weight

186.0 kg / 410.1 lbs

Fuel Capacity

16.5 Litres / 4.3 gal

Full 2012 KTM RC8R 1190 Specifications

Year 2012

Make Model KTM RC8R 1190

Seat Height 805 mm - 825 mm / 31.69in - 32.48in

Wheelbase 1425 mm / 56.1 in

Ground Clearance 110 mm / 4.3 in

Dry Weight 186.0 kg / 410.1 lbs

Fuel Capacity 16.5 Litres / 4.3 gal

Top Speed 271.4 km/h

Max Power 129 kW / 175 hp @ 10250 rpm

Max Torque 127 Nm / 93.6 lb-ft @ 8000 rpm

Standing Start ¼ Mile 10.8 sec

Displacement 1195 cc / 73.0 cu-in

Engine Detail Four stroke, 75°V-twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder

Bore x Stroke 105 x 69 mm

Compression Ratio 13.5 :1

Cooling System Liquid cooling

Exhaust Stainless steel underfloor silencer with regulated catalytic converter

Fuel Induction Keihin EFI throttle body 52 mm

Ignition Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment

Lubrication Pressure lubrication with 3 Eaton pumps

Starter Electric

Clutch Wet, multiple discs, hydraulic operated

Final Drive Chain 5/8 x 5/16" X Ring

Primary Drive Ratios 40:76

Secondary Drive Ratio 17:37

Transmission / Drive 6 Speed claw shifted

Frame Type Chromium-Molybdenum trellis frame, powder-coated Subframe Aluminium Handlebar Aluminium stump handlebar

Suspension - Front 43mm WP Upside down adjustable

Suspension - Rear WP shock, fully adjustable

Steering Head Angle 66.7°

Trail 97 mm / 3.82 in

Wheel Travel - Front 120 mm / 4.7 in

Wheel Travel - Rear 125 mm / 4.9 in

Brakes - Front 2x 320mm discs 4 piston calipers

Brakes - Rear Single 240mm disc

Tyres - Front 120/70 ZR17

Tyres - Rear 190/55 ZR17

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.