Thinking of buying an RC-51

RichardM · 10-06-2006, 12:43 PM

Hi

I am thinking of buying an RC-51. I've been to see a few at dealers to get a feel for them.

Would any of you mind telling me what I need to check for, what questions to ask etc. Or point me in the direction of a similar thread.

What's the maintanance schedule? (I do most things myself) for things like shims, cam chain, oil/filter, greasing linkages etc.

FYI I used to have a Triumph Daytona T595, so, I have a fairly good understanding of fuel injection, ECU maps for engine/exhaust mods etc.

Thanks in advance
Richard

cvc14 · 10-06-2006, 1:21 PM

First off

Try using the search button since there is a ton of info on the 51.

onevcs · 10-06-2006, 1:33 PM

Yeah man,

Good choice. A ton is probably just an understatement...

Mojave954 · 10-06-2006, 1:38 PM

Friends don't let friends by RC-51's.

Welcome to the crew and good luck with your search. Have never ridden one but everyone I know that has/had one raves about them.

abtech · 10-06-2006, 2:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardM

Hi

I am thinking of buying an RC-51. I've been to see a few at dealers to get a feel for them.

Would any of you mind telling me what I need to check for, what questions to ask etc. Or point me in the direction of a similar thread.

What's the maintanance schedule? (I do most things myself) for things like shims, cam chain, oil/filter, greasing linkages etc.

FYI I used to have a Triumph Daytona T595, so, I have a fairly good understanding of fuel injection, ECU maps for engine/exhaust mods etc.

Thanks in advance
Richard

The "Cam chain" has a 500,000 mile adjustment interval, so you probably won't need to worry about that for awhile . . .

JBODIE · 10-06-2006, 2:06 PM

Welcome!!

BDA116 · 10-06-2006, 2:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

The "Cam chain" has a 500,000 mile adjustment interval, so you probably won't need to worry about that for awhile . . .

Crap, I have 498,000 miles on mine.

abtech · 10-06-2006, 3:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

Crap, I have 498,000 miles on mine.

You may want to take a look at the adjustment now before you hit the milestone then. I hear it isn't very pretty when an RC tosses a cam chain.

BTW, Welcome RichardM. You'll get use to the "dry American humour" if you stick around . . .

RktRC · 10-06-2006, 3:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojave954

Friends don't let friends by RC-51's.

Welcome to the crew and good luck with your search. Have never ridden one but everyone I know that has/had one raves about them.

Don't listen to him. Look at his crown.
The RC is a damn good bike. Not the fastest, but about the most fun to ride.

sheepofblue · 10-06-2006, 4:45 PM

By a Yamaha 600 so the sheep over there can still out run you

Baketech · 10-06-2006, 5:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDA116

Crap, I have 498,000 miles on mine.

You've gone way past total nirvana then...

sheepofblue · 10-06-2006, 5:15 PM

seriously though:
SP1 is lacking some nice things that a SP2 has (00-01 vs 02-? in the states)
If it is used find out if the rev limiter mod and/or flapper mod have been done.
Otherwise I think they are a pretty solid bike.

abtech · 10-06-2006, 5:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

seriously though:
SP1 is lacking some nice things that a SP2 has (00-01 vs 02-? in the states)
If it is used find out if the rev limiter mod and/or flapper mod have been done.
Otherwise I think they are a pretty solid bike.

But both have gear driven cams without any requirement for a cam chain . . .

colryn · 10-06-2006, 6:09 PM

I thought the RC51 was too heavy and underpowered. Who would want that?

Oh, Welcome....

abtech · 10-06-2006, 6:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colryn

I thought the RC51 was too heavy and underpowered. Who would want that?

Oh, Welcome....

Bring your 954 up to Grattan next year and we'll check the difference in power and weight . . .

colryn · 10-06-2006, 6:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abtech

Bring your 954 up to Grattan next year and we'll check the difference in power and weight . . .

I am sooooo trying to finagle a way to join the org next year. I have to find a trailor and someone to drive up there with me to spread the cost.

RichardM · 10-07-2006, 5:16 AM

Wow Thank you for your warm welcome...

I guessed being a Honda there wouldn't be any significant reliability issues.

I don't really pay attention to performance figures and all that stuff, I go for riding enjoyment, sound and looks in that order.

I loved my Triumph and had I not been knocked off it, I'd still have it today for sure. I am tempted to get another, but my last one was so good, I doubt the next one would match it. If you've never tried a Triple have a go, the sound is awesome.

I can't quite stretch to an SP-2, plus I haven't seen one in the red/black colour scheme of the SP-1, which I really like the look of.

If I buy one with standard cans, and upgrade to different ones, no too loud, but ones that free up a few decibels, will I need to get the ECU reprogrammed, or will it sort itself out? I know the Triumph needed to be redone, and you could get software for a PC home use, at a good price to "tune" it yourself. Is this also the case with Honda?

Finally as for humour, you'll find plenty here, some what warped as I am a Firefighter.

Am I the only one flying the Union Jack or are there other Brits on here??

colryn · 10-07-2006, 5:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardM

Wow Thank you for your warm welcome...

Finally as for humour, you'll find plenty here, some what warped as I am a Firefighter.

Am I the only one flying the Union Jack or are there other Brits on here??

I did not notice this was your first post. So, big Welcome to you.

Oh, there are others from accross the pond. I am sure they will chime in.

sheepofblue · 10-07-2006, 9:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardM

Wow Thank you for your warm welcome...

I guessed being a Honda there wouldn't be any significant reliability issues.

I don't really pay attention to performance figures and all that stuff, I go for riding enjoyment, sound and looks in that order.

I loved my Triumph and had I not been knocked off it, I'd still have it today for sure. I am tempted to get another, but my last one was so good, I doubt the next one would match it. If you've never tried a Triple have a go, the sound is awesome.

I can't quite stretch to an SP-2, plus I haven't seen one in the red/black colour scheme of the SP-1, which I really like the look of.

If I buy one with standard cans, and upgrade to different ones, no too loud, but ones that free up a few decibels, will I need to get the ECU reprogrammed, or will it sort itself out? I know the Triumph needed to be redone, and you could get software for a PC home use, at a good price to "tune" it yourself. Is this also the case with Honda?

Finally as for humour, you'll find plenty here, some what warped as I am a Firefighter.

Am I the only one flying the Union Jack or are there other Brits on here??

Oh there is other sheep painting bastids also

Over here most get a Dynojet Powercommander and download a map that is close. The better solution is to have it tuned on a dyno.

booracer · 10-07-2006, 9:54 AM

Baketech · 10-07-2006, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardM

Am I the only one flying the Union Jack or are there other Brits on here??

We've had a few, but usually their heads end up on pikes outside the gate...

Sorry SoB...too good not to plagarize...

RichardM · 10-08-2006, 2:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baketech

We've had a few, but usually their heads end up on pikes outside the gate...

Sorry SoB...too good not to plagarize...

Wehey, is the gauntlet down??

Seriously, thanks to all of you for your advice/welcome.

On my way home from work this morning an SP-2 came past, man it sounded good, so I think I will start looking a bit harder.

Also, what's with the sheep thing? I'm lost on that one..

abtech · 10-08-2006, 3:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardM

Also, what's with the sheep thing? I'm lost on that one..

So is the sheep . . .