[PhiAlpha44]

So I finally got my RC. I now have a 93 900RR (red/white/blue) the 2004 Nicky Hayden edition RC51 and a 2005 1000RR Repsol.

I'm thinking of axing the 900. I'd have to say if I could only keep one, the 1000RR is the best all around bike... but god... the sound of that RC is just crazy.

Here's my question. My RC is bone stock. Just a tick over 3000 miles on it. This thing is either

A: Geared extreamly high, so high in fact that taking off requires feathering the clutch like no bike I've ever owned. If you are going any less than 80 mph, to be in 6th gear causes the motor to bog. If I'm in a speed zone less than 35 mph I'm screwed. The thing chatters and lurches all over the place.

Or B: It's mapped really lean down low for emissions testing, and I'm figuring this is why a Power Commander is so highly recommended for these bikes. So is it one, or the other, or both?

[aussie-sp1]

Gday mate. If i were you i would find out what the factory gearing is for an RC51 then check yours and return it to original or go at least -1 tooth on the front only. If you dont already have a power commander its not really necessary although the benifits are excellent on these bikes as dyno graphs will prove. If your motor is bogging down as you say, you should always try to ride in the 4000 rpm range at all times with these machines, i had the same problem until i took the advice im giving you and the problem was solved. If you are trying to conserve fuel by riding in the low rev range then just sell the bike because its not possible to conserve fuel with these beasts and enjoy the ride. Good luck with everything.

[PhiAlpha44]

Yeah, I noticed that the bike begins to run well around 4k. Well at least I know it's probably just the stock gearing. So do you think it runs lean down low in the rpm's as well? Why else would there be a "fuel enrichener" (choke) on a fuel injected bike? I can start my 1000RR when it's -10 outside and it just fires right up. Like I said above, 4k in first gear is probably 35-40 mph. That's why I'm screwed when it's a slower area. What temp do your RC's run at? My 1K runs around 184. My RC seems to run a bit higher.

[baron4406]

Yea there is no reason to keep the stock gearing, its the worst geared bike from the factory ever. (why Honda did it is beyond me). I just did the -1 on the front sprocket and it made a difference, though it still needs more. As far as the bucking at low rpm's mine does that too, and it seems to ping even though I'm running premium fuel so I think its way lean at low rpm's too. Gas mileage isn't something you should be worried about. Mine was about 33mpg as I bought it (Yosh slip ons), fell to just under 30 with the -1 sprocket, probably fall further with more gearing changes. Adding a PC3 helps for darn sure but you seem to lose 10 mpg when you do it - guys report like 18-20 mpg. I'm holding off on the PC3 because you should really run a custom map for your setup, and I don't know if I can get that done around here. Lastly I know some slip ons can cause your bike to run leaner, I think this is the problem mine has. Lastly the bikes do run hot, what's weird with my bike is I run hotter just tooling around (~220), but in traffic it slowly falls to around 208 . Perhaps since mine is an SP2 and has 2 cooling fans that helps. I'm gonna do a coolant change with water wetter soon.

[PhiAlpha44]

What's the diff between SP1 and SP2? I'm assuming mine is an SP2 (it's a 2004) Yeah I'm definatly looking into a PC3 but it looks like I'll have to re-gear as well. I always heard it's better to go UP in the rear than DOWN in the front, because when you go down on the front the chain has to complete a smaller circle and it's hard on the chain. I also heard that 1 down in front is equal to 2 or 3 up in the back. I usually run around 208 temp wise. I'll get down into the high 180's if I'm on the highway. Just wanted to make sure mine wasn't running hot. Well it looks like mine is geared like $hit, lean down low and running just as hot as everyone elses.... glad to hear everything is good to go! LOL. I still love this bike.

[JavyDay]

RC51 is geared really tall from the factory. Changing to 15/41 seems to be the most popular. I am going to put a 15 tooth front sprocket and speedohealer on soon. Check out RC51.org and Speedzilla for lots of RC51 information.

[aussie-sp1]

Originally Posted by PhiAlpha44

What's the diff between SP1 and SP2? I'm assuming mine is an SP2 (it's a 2004) Yeah I'm definatly looking into a PC3 but it looks like I'll have to re-gear as well. I always heard it's better to go UP in the rear than DOWN in the front, because when you go down on the front the chain has to complete a smaller circle and it's hard on the chain. I also heard that 1 down in front is equal to 2 or 3 up in the back. I usually run around 208 temp wise. I'll get down into the high 180's if I'm on the highway. Just wanted to make sure mine wasn't running hot. Well it looks like mine is geared like $hit, lean down low and running just as hot as everyone elses.... glad to hear everything is good to go! LOL. I still love this bike.

The sp2 got a bigger set of throttle bodies and a reworked swing arm as well as better injectors. Dont worry about the ridiculous high temperature these things run at, they all do, and its normal to run at boiling point as long as the thermo fans kick in at the correct temperature then its ok. My bike runs at about 80 degrees celcius and the thermos kick in at 103 celsius, i dont know what that is in farenheit, hopefully you have a conversion chart to work out what im saying. Good luck mate.

[RoooStEr]

wow, my bike runs around 180 degrees F

[EvLTwiN]

Regearing definately takes care of alot of that lurching. i dropped a tooth on the front, most people do this one first because its cheaper and easier to do. and you can just forget driving the speed limit in town on these bikes. there is no such thing as 35mph. and your bike temp is normal.