Considering RC after hiatus - Thoughts Requested

Bahnstoermer · 10-02-2007, 7:43 PM

Howdy everybody - I'm looking for some thoughts while I browse cycle trader....

I rode an F4i for years as my first bike, put a ton of miles on it, had a blast. I test rode an RC51 at what turned out to be the end of that round of bikes for me, but didn't purchase it. Bought a BMW M3 instead LOL.

The all black RC always haunted me and I've recently been thinking about getting one.

The trouble is I always assumed I'd get a 1000RR for my re-entry. I've ridden the 600RR to feel the seating position and compared to an RC and all the other bikes out there, yadda yadda. Other than Ducati, I'll only ride a Honda so we'll keep it in that realm for now.

My thinking goes like this - twins are cool, fun to ride, sound awesome, and the "cool" factor will probably help keep me entertained and out of jail. The reason is that the 1000RR is going to be a maniacial, as-fast-as-you-can all over the place kind of bike. Let's just face it, I won't be able to resist. Not that the RC is slow, but after riding one I was convinced it wasn't much different speed wise than my F4i, and again it has more to offer than just insane speed.

But then the devil in my points out than an all black 1000RR at 175mph at 2 AM is one wicked thing to do too...

Thoughts????

Alex

jon686 · 10-02-2007, 8:00 PM

I stayed away for a few years too- the last sportbike I owned was an 87 FZ600. I rode Harleys for a while. I went to work at a new company and met a guy who has a 51. We ended up in the same place at the same time with our bikes and he offered me a ride. No way I was going to turn the ride down as I'm interested in almost any motorcycle, but I had no idea what the ride would do to me. Needless to say I found and bought my own within a month. I had no idea what I had been missing, and that is an understatement. Buy the RC and don't look back. You'll be surprised how many people don't know what an RC51 is, so the cool factor is way up there. If you become quickly disappointed with the performance you must not be mortal. The 51 does great things in different areas- yeah I know the new liter bikes are more powerful, but that V-twin sound is really intoxicating. My opinion, however biased: Do it!!

selztoad · 10-02-2007, 8:37 PM

Ok I speak from experience, i had an 04 R1 and loved it...I was pretty fast on it too! I got the Vtwin bug...sold my R1 got an RC51 and was very disappointed. I know that some people are fast on them on the track but if I could do things over I would have never sold the R1 its just a better bike all around!

chazzman_bm · 10-03-2007, 6:24 PM

Do it! You won't regret it. While everybody on the 4pots are wringing the neck of their poor machines, the torque of the RC will stomp its way forward. Yeah, it lacks the power of the big litre bikes of today but makes up for it in other ways. Having said that though, I'm looking for ways of adding more power so I can enjoy it even more.

Chazz.

Maholli · 10-03-2007, 8:12 PM

I must say that a RC51 isn't meant to be stock, if you do the mods to it... It will turn itself into a torque monster IMHO.. I still miss mine..

I would recommend getting any year after 2002, the chassis got a nice makeover for 02 and it got lighter, with some added hp too....

skwyd · 10-04-2007, 9:44 AM

I have had VFR's, Kawi ZX's, and even some 2 stroke street killers, but when I got the bug again after selling my ZX-11 a few years ago, I decided to shop for a bike that would keep my interest as well as have the potential to increase in value. The value of RC's from years past are through the roof, and hard to get your hands on. Not to mention the rich racing history they have, so I started a search in my region to find the best RC51 I could find. I found a 2005 less than one hundred miles away that was still factory new! It is now in my garage with Sato Carbon-Ti exhaust, PCIII-usb, Sliders, steel braided brake and clutch lines, Hyperpro RSC Stabilizer, and Sargents seat. It is anxiously awaiting its Carrozeria Forged wheels, and Galfer waves, but all in good time. With all the bikes I have owned, I have to say, this is my favorite. If I buy a second bike though, it will be a CBR1000RR. Tough Decision bro. GOOD LUCK!

jkobflys · 10-05-2007, 7:35 PM

tHE WAY I SEE IT AND THE REASON I GOT MY RC1 IS BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY OF THE TWO LETERS RC AS IN RC30,RC45,RC51,RC211V,RC212V IT'S THE BIKE I WILL NEVER SELL AND TRY TO MAINTAIN AS CLEAN AS POSIBLE AS FOR THE 1000 THAT WOULD BE MY EVERYDAY DO IT ALL BIKE, THATS WHY I KEEP THE GSXRS ONE FOR THE TRACK AND ONE FOR ... WELL EVERYTHING ELSE GOOD LUCK WITH THE DESISION.

aussie-sp1 · 10-10-2007, 1:01 PM

Go the RC51. Honda put every ounce of their experience and technology into this bike to steal the crown from Ducati, with the Australian blooded, Texan born Colin Edwards. I think this is one of the best Jap bikes ever built, and the price of a used one is steady and some are going up slightly depending on mods, thats one plus, the 2nd is that this bike can pull you out of corners in the twisty stuff faster than a 4 banger can. Go to you-tube and see how pablo's VTRSP1 deals with 4 bangers at insane speeds.

skwyd · 10-10-2007, 2:08 PM

I have also noticed that since vendors only make aftermarket for bikes for a limited time after the end of the production run, the better the mods are in quality the better your resale can be. Also if you keep the stock 'take off's' from your bike, you add to the marketability of your RC. I am absolutely sold on this bike and even if I get a different bike, I will never sell this one. It is a great bike.