RC 8C (MY2022)

The RC 8C is not a production supersport in the usual sense. It was assembled by hand in a tiny series for closed-circuit use only, built around a tubular chromoly frame and the 889 cc LC8c parallel twin making 128 hp and 74 lb-ft. Suspension is real race hardware, a WP APEX PRO Shock at the rear and a fully adjustable upside-down fork up front. Traction control and ride modes cover the electronics, with a quickshifter working in both directions and a slipper clutch behind them. Everything fitted to this bike exists to make one fast lap repeatable.

On circuit it behaves like exactly what it is, a purpose-built race chassis on a 55.1 in (1400 mm) wheelbase with a wide 180/60-17 rear and so much ground clearance that you run out of nerve long before hard parts touch. It rewards a rider who already knows where their brake markers are, and it punishes one who doesn't. The caveat is bigger here than on most bikes. There is no ABS, no cruise control, no heated grips, because there is no street mission at all. And it is a hand-built small series: at least one new bike went out misfiring and could not be run in, with the dealer unable to find the cause. Buy on documented history, not on the badge.