[forceten]

Hello,

Found you guys while searching around for info on rc51's. I have been riding since I was about 10 years old. Mostly dirt bikes but when i turned 18 I got my first used 600. Then went to a new 600 hurricane and then when the 900 rr's first came out I was on the waiting list and got the first white/blue 900 that came in. I loved my 900 (I always ride honda) and put about 10k miles on it.

When my girlfriend/wife came on the scene she made me sell my bike (big mistake). SO I got rid of my bike. Now many years later I am getting rid of my wife and looking to get another bike (good trade I think!).

As I have been out of riding for about 10 years I was looking into what honda did with the 900 series bike. I am tempted to grab either the 1000rr or an rc51. I was wondering how either compared to my old 900? I saw a few used 954's I think they are also. But one used 2002 rc51 really caught my eye. Selling for about $5500.

[bwhip]

Congrats on the upcoming trade (I guess?).

A lot depends on what you want to do with the bike. Street? Track? Both?

Twins like the RC are awesome. They sound great, have gobs of torque, and are very unique. But the RC is quite a bit heavier than the newer I-4's, and not as comfortable for street riding (not that 954's are exactly comfy). They tend to get very hot in around-town riding.

The I-4's will give you more linear power, and have an incredible power to weight ratio. They're lightning fast, lightweight and scary fun. But they don't have the uniqueness of the twins - there are lots of them out there, and they all look and sound about the same.

Performance on any of the modern literbikes is way beyond what most of us are capable of dealing with.

[CBRVFR]

Welcome!


The 1000RR is 3 generations beyond the last 900 you rode 10 years ago.. It's quite an awesome piece of work.

Take it easy coming back - I'd suggest an 'advanced' MSF course fo refresh your street riding thought processes.

[forceten]

Anyone know where an 'advanced' MSF course is offered in Nj or PA? Might be a good thing to get me back in the swing of street riding again.

I assume both the 1000 and the rc51 have gone way past what my old 900 felt like on the road. Any downsides to the rc51? I could always pick one up and ride it for next season and then resell if i didn't like it.

[CBRVFR]

Here's a link to their very comprehensive website. When I took the courses there was a beginning and advanced.. there appears to be different terminology now.


Downside to the RC? If it's comfortable for you, it's an extremely capable bike with a huge, committed following and lots of aftermarket support.

That is to say, a lot of the people who own them should be committed..


Motorcycle Safety Foundation

[HondaGalToo]

Welcome! Check this link for NJ MSF courses: NJ L&PS: Highway Traffic Safety: Motorcycle Safety Education Program


I'm not sure if the free course at Sea Girt will happen next season. If you're in northern NJ, I highly recommend the program at FDU. Rider Ed is ok, too.
I know folks who teach at both of those programs.

Yup, both of those bikes are way beyond the older gen 900 you had. Not that that's a bad thing! The ergos on the RC may be a bit more uncomfortable than the 1000RR, but the twin is really cool. As others have mentioned, depends on your intended use. Street? Track? Both? Touring?

[forceten]

All street for me. I had friends who stopped riding on the street much and converted over to track. But even as unsafe as the streets are there was nothing better then getting done work and grabbing a bike to ride around for a few hours on some great winding roads!

Have gone with groups to Bear mountain in Ny and a bit further but boy by the end of the day riding so much is a bit uncomfortable.

Thanks for the info guys. I will have to see how the rc51 is. Power and handling wise I was just worried that it wouldn't be at least the same as my 900. I remember waiting months on order for my 900 to come in. Coming from a 600 was a big step up. Plus I think at the time nobody was used to such a light bike.

When my 900 came in (took 2 months to get me the title too - had lots of trouble) I remember the first few weeks I had lots of trouble keeping the front wheel down. The slightest snap and up i would pop. But once I learned to control it I rode a friends F2 when they came out and I just couldn't go back down in size anymore. The 900 spoiled me. So I hope if i grab this rc51 I won't feel like I downgraded to a 600 again

[bwhip]

Trust me...it'll have all the power you need and then some.

[forceten]

Since you guys have been so helpful, this is the bike I was pondering over.

eBay Motors: Honda : RC51 (item 300060915647 end time Dec-21-06 15:27:01 PST)

Guy is about an hour away from me. What do you guys think? I do like his modifications so far and the color scheme is real nice.

[BDA116]

Strange. The F2 came out before the 900RR, and the difference between the F3 and 900RR wasn't all that great. I used to swap them back and forth all the time and the biggest difference was that the 900 handled like crap compared to the F3. The jump to the 929 and 954 is huge, and the 1000RR is an even bigger leap.
The RC51 is also leagues better than the 900 (for a gay man's bike ), and the current model 600s make the same horsepower at lighter weight than the 900RRs did back then. If you got 115 RWHP out of your 900RR in the mid 90s you had a good one, the F3s were getting 95-100.
Completely different world now for the sportbikes. Not saying the 900RR is or was a BAD bike, becuase it isn't. It's just that 14 years of technology is HUGE in this industry.

[gt702]

If you like the mods, then they are worth something. So far (at $5700) the price seems reasonable for conditions and modifications. Looks good

As others have hinted to, the RC51 is a much more commited riding position than the CBRs, which could be an issue with strictly street riding. I really like the SATO adjustable bars on mine (from Dan Kyle Racing); they moved the bar ends enough to make it very comfortable.

Just for full disclosure ... the 954 and 1000 are lighter, more powerful, and more comfortable in daily use than the RC51 ... so be aware of that when you try it out ... on the other hand, I wouldn't trade my RC for a CBR

[Quick 26]

i have been looking at the rc's also. that one near you looks like a good deal.

[forceten]

I always liked hondas better then the rest because I had leeway with my riding positions (not to mention I think honda makes a better bike ).

At the time all the other manufacturers bikes you had to be on the tank mostly to ride. But with my 600's and 900 I could be down and on the tank but I could also ease up a bit and ride more upright comfortably.

For those helping me out here, if i bid on this bike, how much more is it worth? I was thinking of going no higher then 6k. If somebody bids more i can just wait until another one comes by. Since its really supposed to be winter here in jersey, my riding wouldn't really start back until april or may anyway. I used to have my local bike shop (coopers cycle ranch) winterize my bikes and store em for the winter anyway.

[bwhip]

Just for point of reference, I paid $6,200 for mine a year ago. It's an '02, that had a Power Commander, Sato Banzais, flapper and PAIR mods, 15/41 conversion, and about 12,000 miles on it. It was also in really good cosmetic condition. I hope that helps.

[deez]

Get 954, it's a better all around bike for street duty.

[leelover]

I too just got back into riding after an enforced leave.
I ended up with a 2001 929. It is a great bike. I have not ridden a 900rr, so i have no point of reference on that bike.
I have ridden my nephews' 06 1000rr, though. Wow! What a difference over my bike! On the 929 it is hard to keep the front wheel on the ground in first and second is still touchy. The 1000 acts the same in 3rd and 4th! Be prepared if you get a chance to ride one.
I am thinking of an rc51 for a track bike. Haven't ridden one yet, but hoping to rectify that soon...

[forceten]

Originally Posted by deez

Get 954, it's a better all around bike for street duty.

I do like a bike that not everyone has though. First year the 900's came out my area could only get ahold of 2 of them. I got the white/blue one and then one of the cycle shop workers got the black one but had to wait an extra few months for his. So was nice to have the only 900 in my entire area.

Now I know other people have rc51's but as I looked around thats not the common bike it seems. So unless it rides very terrible I am leaning to the rc51. As I said if it turns out to be not for me I could ride it for a few months in the spring and just resell it. Unless I take a spill I doubt I would lose much value and could get most of my $$ back and buy another model.

So it seems some of you guys are saying the 954/1000 is the bike to get and then the other few (I assume rc51 owners) are saying the 954 and 1000 is nice but they wouldn't give up their rc's

I remember loving my 900 and not wanting to ride anything else. I'm sure I will get to feel the same way about an rc51.........


PS BDA, probably was the F3 I meant to say that I rode on. Might have been interchangable with the 900 but I added a few mods to my 900 (jetted the carb, new pipes and so forth) and the f3 was nice, but it wasn't my 900. Been so many years its hard to remember 10 years ago

[jhonda41]

The current 600's would be an even match for the 900 you owned. The RC will have more than enough power and could bite you in the ass if you're not careful.

There are plenty of MSF courses around (and I believe they are still free for PA residents) let me know if you're still looking.

-jh

[fl-929]

Originally Posted by forceten

I do like a bike that not everyone has though. First year the 900's came out my area could only get ahold of 2 of them. I got the white/blue one and then one of the cycle shop workers got the black one but had to wait an extra few months for his. So was nice to have the only 900 in my entire area.

Now I know other people have rc51's but as I looked around thats not the common bike it seems. So unless it rides very terrible I am leaning to the rc51. As I said if it turns out to be not for me I could ride it for a few months in the spring and just resell it. Unless I take a spill I doubt I would lose much value and could get most of my $$ back and buy another model.

So it seems some of you guys are saying the 954/1000 is the bike to get and then the other few (I assume rc51 owners) are saying the 954 and 1000 is nice but they wouldn't give up their rc's

I remember loving my 900 and not wanting to ride anything else. I'm sure I will get to feel the same way about an rc51.........


PS BDA, probably was the F3 I meant to say that I rode on. Might have been interchangable with the 900 but I added a few mods to my 900 (jetted the carb, new pipes and so forth) and the f3 was nice, but it wasn't my 900. Been so many years its hard to remember 10 years ago

I have a 929 with about 40k miles on it and love it. It's a great all around bike.

Had I ridden the RC before that though I may have not gone with the 929.

I just love the sound and the feel of the RC engine. I don't mind the more committed riding position - it actually feels very natural to me. The downside is that it runs hot, especially here in Florida during the summer. Oh yeah, both seats are vinyl covered bricks.

[HondaGalToo]

Trauma1 is selling his...

[Quick 26]

i am trying to sell my cbr to get it, so . but by all means if ya got the cash go for it

[HondaGalToo]

Originally Posted by Quick 26

i am trying to sell my cbr to get it, so . but by all means if ya got the cash go for it

Oops, so sorry, didn't know!

[Quick 26]

Originally Posted by HondaGalToo

Oops, so sorry, didn't know!

no biggie, the guy has not brought me any cash on mine yet so there is no reason for trauma1 not to go on and sell it.

[forceten]

How much does he want for it, and where is he compared to NJ? I have one last day left to bid on this one on ebay.


This one just caught my eye, but its in canada

eBay Motors: Honda : RC51 (item 110070498678 end time Dec-29-06 15:31:02 PST)