Looking to buy an 2004 RC51

waterbrat · 11-16-2007, 6:13 PM

Looking to buy a 2004 RC51 and wanted to know how it handles, the good and bad about the bike from people who own one.

For certain reasons, the dealer won't give a test drive until I buy it.

I know 90% of you are going to tell me its a great bike, but what has been your experience? What should I expect in performance, ride etc Anything you can add we HELP ME ALOT

P.S. I stepping up from a 2004 f4i, which I plan to keep. I commute to work everyday and I am putting on about 20,000 miles a year on my bike...honestly I ride a lot....

Thank you in advance....

sheepofblue · 11-16-2007, 6:50 PM

What do you want it for? Commuting it is less comfy than a 1000RR. As to grin factor it is high. I have mostly ridden mine at the track and it seems stable and predictable but it is a heavier bike (mostly compared to a new 600). Oh and I have zero plans to sell it, ever.

waterbrat · 11-16-2007, 7:07 PM

I plan to use it for commuting at times...also taking it up to the mountains...I plan to ride it as much as I can....

JoãoRosaSP1 · 11-17-2007, 9:32 AM

Just buy it!

sheepofblue · 11-17-2007, 11:04 AM

It would be a blast up by Sucches and that area. In the city it will run hot and be less comfy than a RR. You will want to regear it, stock 1st gear is stupid tall.

Motophoria · 11-22-2007, 1:41 PM

04 RC is the best year because it's the only one with silver frame...but the best looking bodywork is the 05...
So you know what chu gotta do...

waterbrat · 11-22-2007, 5:53 PM

Thank you guys.....as a buyer, it's a great time ....so many great used sportbikes to buy.....I love the RC51...just wondered how it handled...

m0nSteR TwIn · 12-02-2007, 3:02 AM

The first time I rode my RC I hadn't been on a litre bike in a long time and I was suprised at how wide the take felt and how low the bars were. It has very little steering lock. Once you are accustomed to the bike, it's very easy to handle, but you do have to get used to it. Its not made for low speed maneuvering.

The single most important modification IMO is the power commander. It totally changes the bike below 3500rpm. On the stock fuel map, the bike does not like to be operated at small throttle openings, so trying to do less than 30kph (20mph) like in a parking lot, the bike will hesitate and buck real bad. The PC smoothes everything right out.

I may own other bikes in the future, but I will never not own this one.

Chal De Cecco · 12-03-2007, 1:59 PM

mOnSteR TwIn is right on. Installing the Power Commander is the primary change that needs to happen if you are going to be living below the 3500rpm range on this bike. Order up, move some plastic around, lift the tank, plug in and route the wiring package and go. Many maps available to work with multiple exhaust systems including the stock cans. Thanks to the list, my 02 is right where it should be.

waterbrat · 12-05-2007, 1:17 PM

see...I learned something already about the rc51...thanks Chal and monster twin...anymore feedback would be helpful

mileage712 · 12-05-2007, 3:47 PM

I have a 2002 (mechanically the same as 2004). I ride about 40,000 per year but spread it over 6 bikes. I ride the RC about 5,000 of those miles and am happy with it most when riding at a more enthusiastic pace.
I've done some track days and here is where I've appreciated the bike most. By today's standards it's not fast (think ZX10, GSX-R1000, R1, CBR1000RR) but as with a Power Commander III and Yoshimura Stainless RS3 exhaust I can see 160MPH registered down a 3000ft straight or at Road America. I'm not a great track day guy though I do run in the advanced group (beginner, intermediate, advanced).
Fuel mileage is about 38-40mph when slogging around on the street and typically gets down to 25mpg when riding at fun street speeds.
Comfort is not this bikes best characteristic (compared to my CBR929 or 900RR) though I do all day rides on Sunday and have no problem doing a 500mile day.
This bike shifts like a dream and once you get used to the more dramatic engine braking (compared to inline 4) it has fantastic throttle delivery. Not abrupt at the bottom and plenty of torque (even when I've caught myself tall a gear digging out of a corner).
The ride over bumps is pretty stiff the way my suspension is set but dialing if back a bit makes highway and street riding good as far as bump compliance goes. Braking can be done with one or two fingers and light modulation on the pedal.
I like the difference the bike delivers as a full on sport bike with a VTwin. The first time I decelerated through the gears and heard the engine and gear drive cams together I thought this is the coolest bike I own (I still think that). Other riders seem to appreciate the bike as well.
Tight maneuvering is not great on an RC51. Lock to Lock it takes a bit more space to do a U-Turn than on my other sport bikes and though it hides it's weight well it's more dense than the CBR929 and CBR900RR I own. Slow speed turns are something I'm pretty good at (I'm a MSF Certified Rider Coach). This is not a problem in town or anything but clearly this bike is designed (as most sport bikes are) to satisfy best on the track.
To cut this short. I'll say if I had to sell one of my sport bikes the RC51 would be the last one to go. And if I get in the mood to but a big power liter bike I'll still keep the RC. It's that good.