VIDEO: Brad Binder’s MotoGP Red Bull KTM RC16 from up close

Brad Binder’s Red Bull KTM might not have started the MotoGP season in the best of fashions, but the RC16 machine is nothing to scoff at.

Binder set the fastest speed ever recorded in the premier class on the same bike two years ago. He was clocked at 366.1km/h during the sprint race of the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.

Also riding the RC16, KTM test rider Pol Espargaro equalled the speed during practice at the same circuit last year.

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Red Bull afforded The Citizen Motoring the opportunity to view a real RC16 machine at its newly upgraded local headquarters in Cape Town this week. It wasn’t fitted with all the racing kit, like the rear winglets, but it looks spectacular from up close nonetheless.

Brad Binder’s bike packs a punch

The RC16 features a four-cylinder 1 000cc engine capable of producing 208kW in standard guise. With the bike only weighing 159kg, its power-to-weight ratio is an incredible 1 308kW/ton. To put this into perspective, the mental Porsche 911 GT2 RS “only” has a ratio of 350kW/ton.

Rapid launch control enables the RC16 to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in under 2.5 seconds.

The bike has a steel-tube chassis with a bottom-braced aluminium swingarm and two exhausts. A titanium Akrapovic exhaust which exits underneath the seat and another underneath the rider’s right foot.

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It further features carbon fibre bodywork, lightweight wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes.

Binder won two MotoGP sprint races and two main races on the RC16. His best finish in the title race is fourth in 2023.

Binder is 12th in the MotoGP world championship after four rounds. The next race is next weekend at Jerez in Spain.