New member, considering RC51

PatK1RR · 04-03-2006, 12:34 AM

Hi all,
I am new here and this is my first post.
Probably like you, before you bought a RC51, I am a 4cyl. rider.
I have owned GSX-R600, 750, 1000 and a CBR600RR. I am now without a ride and the RC51 is a motorcycle I have been considering for years. But I have never had the opportunity to ride it, ever. I am aware that its performance is nowhere near the one of the 4 cyl 1000cc. I also believe that some elements of the bike look a little obsolete (brake light, flashers). But on the other hand, this bike has something sexy to it, something very distinct (not to mention it beats hand down the Ducatis and Aprilia of this world). I love the thumping sound of it and the fact that it is different.
Basically, I would like to hear from you guys, what are the pros and the cons of this motorcycle. Will I be satisfied with the bike, considering my experience on high performance bikes? Is it still worth it to pay the price it sells for (new), considering everything else that exists on the market? Your feedback would be highly appreciated.
Keep riding!

PS: I love going fast on twisty roads, basically.

southpark460 · 04-03-2006, 1:16 AM

The RC51 is a special creature... You love it or hate it! Fortunately, I love it... I wouldn't say that it's no where near the performance of modern I4's. It doesn't seem like it'll keep up, but it'll run with most of the liter bikes out there.

By the way, there's an awesome RC for sale in the Classifieds...

gt702 · 04-04-2006, 12:00 PM

Definitely different than the I4's, and maybe a little more committed in ride position compared to other Honda's, but you've had GSXR's so nothing too foreign. I love the thumping and the torque; and the sexy/different looks. There are some good examples of used ones out there, with lots of goodies. Might want to check the classifieds (mine isn't for sale

)

Mojave954 · 04-04-2006, 8:24 PM

MetallicCarrot · 04-04-2006, 8:29 PM

I would suggest riding one. They are sweet machines, but very different from I-4's. Tons of ground clearance, wicked sound, and gobs of torque, but a very different ride.

My local dealer will let me ride anything he has, so I guess I'm lucky. He asked me to test ride an RC51 just to see if I liked it. I'd seriously consider one if I were track riding or doing a lot of sport riding with no touring. Back in my hooligan days, I wouldn't consider one.

EDIT: oh yeah

And I wouldn't say it beats the Ducati's or Aprilias of this world, Unless we're talking maintanence costs. I love those bikes too...

DUX · 04-04-2006, 9:06 PM

This is borrowed from www.rc51.org and it sums up the RC experience very well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"If you are a good rider it will prove & exploit your skill to the world, if you are mediocre it will kick you in the teeth & laugh at you. It is purpose built for strafing curves, serious commuters or tourers need not apply. It can light a fire in your soul that is not fueled by adrenaline, but by passion & when you ride it nothing else matters except it, you & making the next turn."
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The RC is a unique riding experience.

It sucks in traffic and on any straight line longer than a mile.

I guess it makes me a bit of a squid, but I've never experienced anything like the sound of the bike decelerating with after-market pipes. It shakes the earth and turns heads no matter where you are. I'm sure that I am biased, but it's in a cool way....not in the annoying Hardley putting out 3,000 decibles at 15mph kind of way.

She's heavy compared to today's liter bikes, but that was a big plus for me. It's very stable in turns and at the same time will make any adjustments you desire with little effort. There's no twitchiness (if that's even a word

) and you don't feel like you're in danger of lofting the front wheel every time you grab a handful of throttle.

southpark460 · 04-04-2006, 9:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUX

This is borrowed from www.rc51.org and it sums up the RC experience very well.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
"If you are a good rider it will prove & exploit your skill to the world, if you are mediocre it will kick you in the teeth & laugh at you. It is purpose built for strafing curves, serious commuters or tourers need not apply. It can light a fire in your soul that is not fueled by adrenaline, but by passion & when you ride it nothing else matters except it, you & making the next turn."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The RC is a unique riding experience.

It sucks in traffic and on any straight line longer than a mile.

I guess it makes me a bit of a squid, but I've never experienced anything like the sound of the bike decelerating with after-market pipes. It shakes the earth and turns heads no matter where you are. I'm sure that I am biased, but it's in a cool way....not in the annoying Hardley putting out 3,000 decibles at 15mph kind of way.

She's heavy compared to today's liter bikes, but that was a big plus for me. It's very stable in turns and at the same time will make any adjustments you desire with little effort. There's no twitchiness (if that's even a word

) and you don't feel like you're in danger of lofting the front wheel every time you grab a handful of throttle.

And why are you selling it again?

DUX · 04-04-2006, 9:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southpark460

And why are you selling it again?

I was asking myself the same question as I was writing that.

Hurry up Sheep. If the gloves get here before anyone buys it, I'll have to keep the RC so that I have a bike that matches. (...looking for my wife's PayPal password right now)

sheepofblue · 04-04-2006, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUX

I was asking myself the same question as I was writing that.

Hurry up Sheep. If the gloves get here before anyone buys it, I'll have to keep the RC so that I have a bike that matches. (...looking for my wife's PayPal password right now)

I will try to send them Thursday. I skipped the gym Monday and Tuesday and we have softball practice tomorrow (and I NEED practice

) will box them tonight though

PatK1RR · 04-05-2006, 10:52 AM

Your feedback is appreciated guys!
I guess I need to ride one in order to decide...
That's what is hard when money is an object!! You have to find the one ride that will do well everything you want to do!!
In my case, it will be a Honda anyway! Either the RC or the 06 CBR1000RR.
Keep riding!

sheepofblue · 04-05-2006, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUX

I was asking myself the same question as I was writing that.

Hurry up Sheep. If the gloves get here before anyone buys it, I'll have to keep the RC so that I have a bike that matches. (...looking for my wife's PayPal password right now)

You have two days then you have to keep it

DUX · 04-05-2006, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

You have two days then you have to keep it

Payment sent.

So far I haven't had any serious offers on the RC and I'm thankful every time I go into the garage.

Now if I could just get some time to ride.

jcf1977 · 04-06-2006, 1:29 AM

I've ridden the RC quite a few times thanks to a good friend owning one......in my opinion, I'll take my Repsol 1000rr any day of the week. The RC is a very cool bike but I always grin

when I blow past my buddy on his RC. I4's are too smooth and too fast to pass up. I do love his gear driven cam's though..............damn cool sounding. Just my .02 peace out fellas

sheepofblue · 04-06-2006, 7:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcf1977

I've ridden the RC quite a few times thanks to a good friend owning one......in my opinion, I'll take my Repsol 1000rr any day of the week. The RC is a very cool bike but I always grin

when I blow past my buddy on his RC. I4's are too smooth and too fast to pass up. I do love his gear driven cam's though..............damn cool sounding. Just my .02 peace out fellas

Funny you should say that. I have a track friend who was looking to upgrade his F2 and was considering an RC or RR. Well I offfered to let him take a spin on mine (aged me years). He wound up going RR while I use my RC on the track

To each his own.

southpark460 · 04-06-2006, 8:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DUX

So far I haven't had any serious offers on the RC and I'm thankful every time I go into the garage.

Last year I decided to sell my 929. I listed it on eBay and someone local won the auction, albeit a little lower than I was wanting. He ended up backing out, and it was the best thing that's ever happened to me...