[MarinoKouch]

I am strongly considering on purchasing a stock 2003 Honda RC51 with less than 1,500 miles for $7,600. It seems as if it's a great deal, but what do you guys think?

Also, I have heard many things about the RC51, and how it really cannot compare to the inline 4's today, like the CBR1000RR, and that its pretty much crap, but there is something about the RC51 that sparks my interest. Maybe its the looks, the race inspired innovation behind the bike, or just the fact that the commonality of this bike is WAY lower than all the CBR's and GSXR's out there.

Before I do go along and cash out $7,600, I would like to get an "insider" view of what the RC51 really is like. What are its flaws? What are the things you would like to change about your bike? On the other hand, what are its highlights? What about it "sparked" or still "sparks" your interest? In other words, why did you choose the RC51 over the competitive and FAST REVVING CBR1000RR or the over excited R1?

By the way, sorry for my extensive piece of literature.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[imikerc51]

All I have to say is that if you have riden any of the bikes you talked about just take ONE ride on the RC any all your questions will be answered........ I have been riding my entire life on every and all diffrent bikes and when i rode my rc I was completly SOLD............. GO FOR IT.....YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPOINTED!!!!!!!!!!

[MarinoKouch]

Is it that "thing" about the RC51 that got you too?

Thanks

[txrc51fatboy]

What are its flaws?
Its heavy and slower than most 600s

What are the things you would like to change about your bike?
lose weight and make more power, suspension

On the other hand, what are its highlights?
it handles like no other with proper suspension work

What about it "sparked" or still "sparks" your interest?
i still grin and get a chubby everytime i start it. the night before i know i am really going to ride her i cant sleep.
when i bought this bike i knew going in it was not the fastest thing on the street, that didnt bother me. that wasnt what i wanted.
its a corny cliche, but youll hear every true owner say it "the bike has a soul", it speaks to you like no other bike i have riden.
lastly, the sound OMFG the sound wide open at about 8k nothing you can buy sounds like it.
its a bike that you dont chose to own, it choses to own you. when i started looking for new bike i shopped around. looked at zx10r and a repsol 1k, both were cheaper but i couldnt take my eyes and my mind off the RC sitting in the showroom.

if you are a new rider i dont think its for you. it demands alot from its rider. if you respect her she will give you years and years of pure bliss.

[rokitt51]

Originally Posted by txrc51fatboy

What are its flaws?
Its heavy and slower than most 600s

No no, i dont think so

What are the things you would like to change about your bike?
lose weight and make more power, suspension


On the other hand, what are its highlights?
it handles like no other with proper suspension work

And can work it without suspension work.

What about it "sparked" or still "sparks" your interest?
i still grin and get a chubby everytime i start it. the night before i know i am really going to ride her i cant sleep.
when i bought this bike i knew going in it was not the fastest thing on the street, that didnt bother me. that wasnt what i wanted.
its a corny cliche, but youll hear every true owner say it "the bike has a soul", it speaks to you like no other bike i have riden.
lastly, the sound OMFG the sound wide open at about 8k nothing you can buy sounds like it.
its a bike that you dont chose to own, it choses to own you. when i started looking for new bike i shopped around. looked at zx10r and a repsol 1k, both were cheaper but i couldnt take my eyes and my mind off the RC sitting in the showroom.

if you are a new rider i dont think its for you. it demands alot from its rider. if you respect her she will give you years and years of pure bliss.

[Rigor]

Originally Posted by MarinoKouch

I am strongly considering on purchasing a stock 2003 Honda RC51 with less than 1,500 miles for $7,600. It seems as if it's a great deal, but what do you guys think?

Also, I have heard many things about the RC51, and how it really cannot compare to the inline 4's today, like the CBR1000RR, and that its pretty much crap, but there is something about the RC51 that sparks my interest. Maybe its the looks, the race inspired innovation behind the bike, or just the fact that the commonality of this bike is WAY lower than all the CBR's and GSXR's out there.

Before I do go along and cash out $7,600, I would like to get an "insider" view of what the RC51 really is like. What are its flaws? What are the things you would like to change about your bike? On the other hand, what are its highlights? What about it "sparked" or still "sparks" your interest? In other words, why did you choose the RC51 over the competitive and FAST REVVING CBR1000RR or the over excited R1?

By the way, sorry for my extensive piece of literature.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Those who say you can't compare the RC51 to the CBR1000rr....are correct. The CBR1000 is a MORE lethal bike in the same hands as the skilled rider that has the RC51. It's lighter, faster and has more horsepower. Fact.

Face it: The RC51 is outdated technology that hasn't been changed since the 2002 model year, with the exception of paint schemes. The CBR1000RR is the newest toy on the block........

The new technology in Honda's I4's no longer make them underdogs in the low RPM ranges either. The CBR1000RR has almost as much, if not more grunt and torque in the lower RPM ranges as the RC51, as well.

The commonailty of the bike is less, due to relatively high, "Off the floor" pricetag, and I think a lot of people are leary about a "2 cylinder" vs the I4s that they're used to. If you know anything about motorcycles, you know that the V-twins are just as capable, in the right hands, as any 4 cylinder bike. Ducati has proven that, time and time again, as did Honda, back in the day.

What I like about the bike, is it's not that common, the sound is incredible, It looks good, It has tons of torque in all the right places and it's forgiving on the track, but it's a bear to throw around compared to 600s or even some of the newer 1000s. It needs suspension updating if you plan on tracking it, and at a minimum, fork reworking if you weigh over 170-180 lbs. ($350-500 reworked, depending on where you have it done and roughly $2500 for Ohlins R&Ts new)

I'd highly suggest a decent aftermarket rear shock as well. The stock Showa unit is harsh and not good for much. It's got too much high speed damping, too much preload, no ride height adjustment and neither are adjustable beyond the factory settings. I'd actually suggest a rear shock before the front forks, but once you replace the shock, the front forks will feel worse. ($400-800 used, to $800-1500 new)

I have Ohlins front and rear on my bike, and if you love your bike NOW, ride it after that change, and you'll need a cigarette and a nap.

Add the PCIII-USB, and it's all over but the crying........

Tires. Dunlop D208s are outdated and heavy. Replacing the stock skins with Michelin Pilot Powers, or ANYTHING, will improve handling and traction. Your choice to wear the stock tires out or Ebay them as take-offs is up to you. Mine came off within 45 minutes of the bike coming home from the dealer.
($250-400)

It's pretty bullet proof and the only issues I ever had, was the typical coolant leaks due to loose coolant hose clamps, at about 2000-3000 miles. Lift the tank, remove the airbox, tighten every coolant clamp and that was 2 years ago, without one drip since. (free....maybe $5.00 for a six-pak)

I'd suggest changing the 16/40 gear set up, and going to a 15/41 or 15/42 for a lower gear ratio for better acceleration and easier pulling out. It'll throw the speedo off a little, but they make "Speedo-healers" to cure that. ($180-200)

I'd also suggest a PCIII-USB unit. It allows you to download a better MAP then the factory ECU provides, increasing throttle response, smoothing out the rev-range, creating a smooth, constant powerband and eliminating some of the jerkiness the bike has from the factory. ($250-300)

Pipes: The stock cans are 19.6 lbs. Changing them to even Yoshimura pipes reduces the weight to about 11 lbs. The horsepower gains are minimal, but it sheds weight and sounds better. ($500-1200)

Check out RC51.org, and check out the list of FREE MODS as well. The flapper mod that eliminates a 6-7.5K flat spot, the PAIR mod that elimiates some useless weight and the Soft-rev mod to raise the rev-limiter from 9500 to 10200. (roughly). All free......

Read all the stuff that Mike Wheeler (LDH) and members contributed, as theirs countless hours of time and research there, that are invaluable to the RC51 world. Check out Speedzilla.com as well. Lots-O-stuff there too.

$7600 IMHO, is a decent price for a bike with that mileage. (Just broken in). It gives you tons of room to play, and add the things you want, and still be under the price of a new bike.

It's not the best bike in the world. It's not the fastest bike in the world. It's not even the prettiest bike in the world, but it's a good bike and tonsof fun to ride after you sort out a few things.

[RktRC]

Originally Posted by txrc51fatboy

What are its flaws?
Its heavy and slower than most 600s

What are the things you would like to change about your bike?
lose weight and make more power, suspension

On the other hand, what are its highlights?
it handles like no other with proper suspension work

What about it "sparked" or still "sparks" your interest?
i still grin and get a chubby everytime i start it. the night before i know i am really going to ride her i cant sleep.
when i bought this bike i knew going in it was not the fastest thing on the street, that didnt bother me. that wasnt what i wanted.
its a corny cliche, but youll hear every true owner say it "the bike has a soul", it speaks to you like no other bike i have riden.
lastly, the sound OMFG the sound wide open at about 8k nothing you can buy sounds like it.
its a bike that you dont chose to own, it choses to own you. when i started looking for new bike i shopped around. looked at zx10r and a repsol 1k, both were cheaper but i couldnt take my eyes and my mind off the RC sitting in the showroom.

if you are a new rider i dont think its for you. it demands alot from its rider. if you respect her she will give you years and years of pure bliss.

No other bike will make you lust like the RC. Just about every guy I ride with is in the market for a good used RC after they take an afternoon with mine. You will not be the fastest, but you will have the biggest smile!

[1blink]

I'm not so sure that $7.6K is a great deal on a stock bike...seems to me that you could get quite a bit more in aftermarket parts on a bike for that price. I gave $5k for my '03 with about 16k miles on it, and if I'd been more patient, i could have saved 500-800 dollars on a comperable '03

[Quick 26]

if it helps any i was going to sell my 06 1k and buy a used rc that was modded, but the guy backed out on buying my bike.

[txrc51fatboy]

It's not even the prettiest bike in the world


i disagree rigor IMOH i cannot think of a better looking bike. with the exception of the 1098, 2nd best looking bike, all the other 600s-1ks all look the same.

[txrc51fatboy]

What are its flaws?
Its heavy and slower than most 600s

No no, i dont think so



i guess who ever posted this deleted it later.
any newer 600 pull away from our RCs. if your faster than your buddies on their 600s, then they cant ride worth a damn.
the new 1ks will pass you and wave bye-bye to you.

[MarinoKouch]

Thanks, everyone, for your great input. And, Rigor, thanks for that voluptuous, detailed data. Just by saying a "few" pros about the RC51 still truly means a lot towards my decision. The bike with the "soul" with a lot of cons still seems to touch people (not to seem corny or inappropriate though) .

[MarinoKouch]

If you guys had a choice, pretending you guys had about $11,000 to spend on the following, of either a brand spanking new 2007 Honda CBR1000RR or purchasing a stock $7,600 2003 Honda RC51 and modding it out with the money you have left? Also, what mods would you get for the RC51 with the left over money?

How much hp could you get out of the RC51 and with what mods/money needed?

Thanks

[txrc51fatboy]

with minor mods, ie. PC, pipes, soft rev, flapper you can expect 125-135, 1000$
moderate engine work maybe 150, 2000$
HRC kit 180- 25,000$

[RC51-swampy]

The 2003 RC I have is my second. In between the two I had a few 1000 I4's including a 2006 GSXR 1000. The RC is a better bike. Not as fast, not as light, not as nimble, but pure joy to ride. The big I4's are too easy on the highways... they seem boring almost. In the Scotish Highlands, the roads are very challenging, and being stuffed by 600's isn't cool. The big I4's are too powerful round here, it's too easy to highside or cross it up coming down off wheelies to a bumpy road... you can never seem to get the gas on. The 600's and 750's have less of a problem with traction and can really wind it on with confidance. The RC has more traction than you can shake a stick at, and that grunt blasts the 600's in the bends like you wouldn't believe.

The new GSXR750 is a real contender.

If you wanna be unique and have a love affair with a machine, stop messing about and get an RC

If you want clinical handling, and a very fast machine that is the same as everybody elses, get a K7 GSXR750.

Both are excellent, but only one has a soul

[wun68]

I'm in the same boat.. the RC is like the one chick in high-school you always wanted to hook-up with. There were prettier and easier(fast) girls but this one always caught your eye. Now, Imagine you could go back in time, back to high-school.. would you let the prettier (07 cbr6rr) or faster (06 cbr1krr) girl get in the way of that "one"? hmmm..

[forceten]

Originally Posted by MarinoKouch

I am strongly considering on purchasing a stock 2003 Honda RC51 with less than 1,500 miles for $7,600. It seems as if it's a great deal, but what do you guys think?

Also, I have heard many things about the RC51, and how it really cannot compare to the inline 4's today, like the CBR1000RR, and that its pretty much crap, but there is something about the RC51 that sparks my interest. Maybe its the looks, the race inspired innovation behind the bike, or just the fact that the commonality of this bike is WAY lower than all the CBR's and GSXR's out there.

Before I do go along and cash out $7,600, I would like to get an "insider" view of what the RC51 really is like. What are its flaws? What are the things you would like to change about your bike? On the other hand, what are its highlights? What about it "sparked" or still "sparks" your interest? In other words, why did you choose the RC51 over the competitive and FAST REVVING CBR1000RR or the over excited R1?

By the way, sorry for my extensive piece of literature.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

2003 RC51 with 4k miles on it for $6,000 and had a few mods already done. I know I got mine in the middle of the winter, but maybe you should look a few more places to see if you can get a better priced RC.

Oh yeah one more thing. Took a test ride on the 2007 1k repsol. While I did love the repsol, I got told I had to sell the RC and I could have the repsol. I thought about it for a day or so but no way would i part with my RC. Not even for the faster, lighter repsol. Now of course i would take both bikes for my garage, but if i had to pick one, the Rc stays.

[wun68]

Originally Posted by forceten

Now of course i would take both bikes for my garage, but if i had to pick one, the Rc stays.

Not until the 08 cbr1k comes next year..

[MarinoKouch]

Originally Posted by wun68

I'm in the same boat.. the RC is like the one chick in high-school you always wanted to hook-up with. There were prettier and easier(fast) girls but this one always caught your eye. Now, Imagine you could go back in time, back to high-school.. would you let the prettier (07 cbr6rr) or faster (06 cbr1krr) girl get in the way of that "one"? hmmm..

LOL

So, for a 2003 RC51, I should only pay about $6,000? Even an all stock (the way I like it for I don't know if they did all the mods right) with only about 2,000 miles?

Thanks

[forceten]

In december with snow on the ground yeah. Spring time and summer the prices go up.

[wun68]

Originally Posted by MarinoKouch

LOL

So, for a 2003 RC51, I should only pay about $6,000? Even an all stock (the way I like it for I don't know if they did all the mods right) with only about 2,000 miles?

Thanks

Here is a link to the KBB:
Kelley Blue Book - Enter Your ZIP Code

Here is a summary of what kbb considers retail value:

Suggested Retail Value $7390


The Kelley Blue Book Suggested Retail Value is representative of dealers' asking prices and is the starting point for negotiation between a consumer and a dealer. This Suggested Retail Value assumes that the unit has been fully reconditioned and is in excellent condition. Mileage/condition and additional equipment may have a substantial impact on the value shown above. This value also takes into account the dealers' profit, costs for advertising, sales commissions and other costs of doing business. The final sale price will likely be less depending on the unit's actual condition, popularity, type of warranty offered and local market conditions.


IMO:
This is only a price the dealership uses and leverages their certified mechanics and warranties. If you buy from a private party, this price should decrease quite substantially because they most likely will sell "as is" and probably is not a certified mechanic. If he was a certified mechnic he would let you know from the start of the sale and you will be able to tell how good he is by the condition of the bike.

[MarinoKouch]

I rode a 2002 RC51 today at the dealer, and all I have to say is, "WOW!" It was very smooth and ate up the corners like a frog eating a fly. It was a very nice ride and probably the best 15 minute ride of my life. It wasn't the fastest thing in the world, but it was exeptional (at least it didn't make me pee in my pants like the first time I snapped the trottle on the 2007 CBR1000RR ).

= 5 stars

[imikerc51]

just wait until you put pipes and a PC3III on it!!!!!! every time i go to Deals Gap I realize why i bought that bike!!!!

[MarinoKouch]

^^^^^^^^^

[Okami]

dude im scared to ride one cause i might get hooked.