Big changes to the chassis and suspension
The R features 2-kg lighter wheels than the RC8, and premium WP fork and damper with preload, compression and rebound adjustments. Revised rake and trail increase the agility without affecting stability, and the shortened wheelbase (1,430 to 1,425mm) helps weight transfer under hard braking and acceleration. To cope with this added potential, the Brembo Monobloc calipers squeeze thicker front discs for more heat resistance, while any extra weight and inertia is offset by the lighter wheels. Finally, rear ride height can be adjusted through different swingarm settings.

Love that simple to read programmable display - a boon to the rider on the street or the track. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Moto123.com)

A comfortable superbike?
The RC8 R ergos provide surprising comfort for a top-caliber superbike. The seat is soft and high enough that you don’t have to bend your legs in two to place your feet on the footpegs, making for a more relaxed stance that facilitates active riding. When having fun, the rider can easily move on the seat and hug the narrow tank with his/her outside thigh for effortless cornering manœuvres.

The adjustable handlebars, footpegs and levers help you fit the bike to your configuration and preferences, letting you set the comfort - sportiness tradeoff to best suit your riding style.

The fully-electronic instrument panel has all the information you need on easy-to-read displays. They include all of the normal street-going information, as well as some track oriented bit of data such as lap times (latest, fastest and average).

As an added advantage, this relatively tall bike can accommodate taller individuals easily; with the seat at its highest position and the swingarm set for maximum ride height, anyone below 1.82m likely won’t touch the ground.

At home on the track
On the track, the RC8 R is a blast to ride thanks to the suitably stiff chromium-molybdenum trellis frame, suitable swingarm flexibility and ideal geometry for spirited performance. Believe me, the RC8 R feels just as sharp and agile as the best 600-cc superbikes on the market.

Fully adjustable, high-end WP fork and shock are essential to sweet handling bike, on the street and the track. (Photo: Philippe Champoux/Moto123.com)