[jamesnismo]

hi all, new to this board and would like to introduce myself. just recently decided to buy a rc51...... i've been doing a lot of searching and decided on it versus the tl100r. people have been telling me that there are significant differences between the 00-02 and the 03-04's. is this true? if so what are the differences? my last question is.... what is the difference btween sp1 and sp2? sorry for the noob questions but i just like to be as informed as possible. also before the flaming begins...... i did a lot of searching and couldn't find answers to these so thanks.

[tigerblade]

The '00-'02 models are the same as the SP1. The '03-newer are SP2. Just designations for the evolution of the bike. The '03 has a few improved bits like swingarm, etc. Congrats on the bike; you'll love it. And welcome to the .org!

[matt232]

and to the .org

[sinister988]

Originally Posted by tigerblade

The '00-'02 models are the same as the SP1. The '03-newer are SP2. Just designations for the evolution of the bike. The '03 has a few improved bits like swingarm, etc. Congrats on the bike; you'll love it. And welcome to the .org!

You're off by a year
2000,2001 were the SP-1
2002, 2003, 2004 are SP-2
They're all called RC51 in the U.S ,but the updates were made for 2002+

[Pete]

Sinister is right. And to say that the swingarm was changed in '02 is an undertatement. That new swingarm paid significant dividends in handling over the '00 and '01 models. New, larger throttle bodies were another notable change with the '02 model, as were lighter 5-spoke wheels. Not so notable was (1) a new fairing stay, (2) a taller windscreen, and (3) the return of rear swingarm spool bungs (the '00 model had them, but they dropped them on the '01 model). The only change from '02 to '03 was a slightly different paint scheme, and in '04 the "Nicky Hayden Replica" with an unpainted frame is offered as an option.

[showmethebombs]

Welcome to the bunch!

[deez]

Originally Posted by Pete

Sinister is right. And to say that the swingarm was changed in '02 is an undertatement. That new swingarm paid significant dividends in handling over the '00 and '01 models. New, larger throttle bodies were another notable change with the '02 model, as were lighter 5-spoke wheels. Not so notable was (1) a new fairing stay, (2) a taller windscreen, and (3) the return of rear swingarm spool bungs (the '00 model had them, but they dropped them on the '01 model). The only change from '02 to '03 was a slightly different paint scheme, and in '04 the "Nicky Hayden Replica" with an unpainted frame is offered as an option.

Yep, Pete is on point. The '02 and up have better power in the upper RPMs, the SP1 has a slightly better midrange, but honestly, it's pretty close either way. The swingarm changes, as Pete said, are major changes, and affect the handling greatly. This is stock mind you, once you mod them up they get very equal, but the '02 model is going to be better all around. The '02 changes were direct effects from Colin Edwards's VTR1000SP2 in World Superbike. I don't know if the swingarm change came at his advice, or Gorst (his chief mechanic at the time), probably from HRC, but the windscreen was from Colin's request. Now you some about the RC, treat like a feather in your cap If you are looking for a RC, I'd look used. I don't normally like used bikes (people can rag them out and you won't know it when you buy it) but the RC has gear driven cams which are damn near bulletproof (also found on earlier gen VFRs, not the new one) and I've seen nicely modded RC's at great prices with supsension and exhaust mods done already.

Staab sold his RC (SP1 with SP2 swingarm) for like $9-10k and his total investment in that thing was probably around $25k, I wish I had never bought mine and waited for him to sell his, everything had been done, he even had the HRC wiring harness and the HRC fuel box.

[tigerblade]

Oops. I'm always off a year.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by tigerblade

Oops. I'm always off a year.

Watch for the jailbait.

[abtech]

Originally Posted by booth23

Yep, Pete is on point. The '02 and up have better power in the upper RPMs, the SP1 has a slightly better midrange, but honestly, it's pretty close either way. The swingarm changes, as Pete said, are major changes, and affect the handling greatly. This is stock mind you, once you mod them up they get very equal, but the '02 model is going to be better all around. The '02 changes were direct effects from Colin Edwards's VTR1000SP2 in World Superbike. I don't know if the swingarm change came at his advice, or Gorst (his chief mechanic at the time), probably from HRC, but the windscreen was from Colin's request. Now you some about the RC, treat like a feather in your cap If you are looking for a RC, I'd look used. I don't normally like used bikes (people can rag them out and you won't know it when you buy it) but the RC has gear driven cams which are damn near bulletproof (also found on earlier gen VFRs, not the new one) and I've seen nicely modded RC's at great prices with supsension and exhaust mods done already.

Staab sold his RC (SP1 with SP2 swingarm) for like $9-10k and his total investment in that thing was probably around $25k, I wish I had never bought mine and waited for him to sell his, everything had been done, he even had the HRC wiring harness and the HRC fuel box.

The cylinder heads are also completely redesigned on the 02 and later models (to compliment the larger throttle bodies and new injectors). The exhaust ports for instance are conical and not round as found on the SP1. The included valve angle is a degree or so smaller and the cams have a slightly different profile. The ECU, ignition curve and fuel maps were also modified, as well as the connectors in the FI loom. The swingarm assembly (besides being stronger, longer and designed for more exhaust system clearance) is ~ 4.5 pounds lighter than the SP1.

All in all the SP2 is more refined and certainly more capable than the SP1.

[jamesnismo]

thanks for the info guys...... as for mods..... exhaust and pciiir are first? i've done a little reading and i think those are pretty important right? along with sprocket changes to front and rear, due to tall gearing........ am i on the right track?

[tigerblade]

Depends on what your priorities are. Gearing change is good no matter what. Do you ride pretty aggressively? Suspension would be the first thing I tackle after cheap stuff like gearing, flapper valve, PAIR mod, soft rev limiter mod, etc.

[jamesnismo]

soft rev limiter mod..... can this be done with the pciiir? is wiring an issue? what is the pair mod? i know i know, what a noob....

[ND4SPD]

Another local. Sign up for Grattan.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by jamesnismo

soft rev limiter mod..... can this be done with the pciiir? is wiring an issue? what is the pair mod? i know i know, what a noob....

Go to the Modifications section of www.rc51.org, and you'll find answers to all of your questions.

[ratter]

to the org

after you get a handle on the bike you may want to upgrade to a blade

[Zop]