I have noticed that a couple of people on the forum have owned an RC8 and that recently someone on the forum has bought one. Just wondering if it would be possible to get some feedback on them regarding things to look out for, reliability, good / bad points and so on. The reason I am asking is that my brother is looking to get a new bike and he is looking at RC8’s and Blades. He has seen an RC8 for sale just down the road from us so I think he is wanting to have a look at it although I said I would ask about on this forum first for some info / pointers about the bike. Also worth noting, he would be looking to spend around 5-6k on a blade if anyone has one for sale Any info would be appreciated . Cheers
Hey. I had a blade, traded for a RC8. Now sold the RC8 and got a blade again. The RC8 is a really fun bike to ride, lots of torque, super light, awesome breaks, but.. It is soo unreliable (specially 08s, avoid them!) Water pump, seals, loose screws, oil leaks (not only drops of oil) and so on. If the purpose is just for a Sunday ride it's ok, anything more than that expect some serious probl€€ms. If you are really looking for a RC8 just get a +2012 model, not so unreliable but even these ones have some problems. Just get the blade! Cheers
My mate had a late plate RC8, first ride out and it broke down!! not really the bikes fault as it had a badly fitted power commander and juice box!! He spent a few hundred pounds getting it all set up and a new battery etc! The bike still ran like a pig and ended up selling it after 5 week ownership! I've heard all sorts or issues and dramas and wouldn't even entertain owning one! stick with the blade fella....
Likewise got a mate who had a RC8R and had nothing but problems with it ... This was used daily as well and brand new... After a few months he threw it back at the dealer.
Had one, no issues, nice to ride, very plush suspension, sounded great with the Akra, looked stunning (Well mine did ! ) Throttle is awfully snatchy, improved by fitting a bigger throttle cam, had to slip the clutch on roundabouts etc or it would take off at the slightest twist of the throttle, it was fine apart from this but some of the early ones did have a few issues.
Thanks for the feedback . From general chat about them I gathered that it would be a mixed bag of responses. Personally I think they are cracking looking bikes (especially iang27’s above, that’s a beauty!). However it is the reliability that’s comes into question. I was at Knockhill for a track day and one of the lads had an RC8. Halfway through the day it started sounding like it was fuelled by spanners and that was the end of his day, he had to stop and go straight to the garage. Then on the other hand I have been to the racing at East Fortune where I saw about 3 of the lads racing the RC8 and everything seemed well… Given the feedback I personally would be leaning towards a Blade as I am young so I don’t have the money for repairs however I know my brother likes these bikes a lot so who knows what he will do. Whatever happens I will make sure he gets himself on the forum when he gets another bike and drags himself along to the Central Scotland Meet Up’s next season. Anymore feedback would be appreciated. Cheers guys . Danny
