taking my RC51 up to par

FastILike · 12-09-2007, 2:39 PM

I have a 2003 RC51 with no modifications yet, and I want to start modifiying it as a project over the winter. Anyways, a buddy of mine just recenty purchased a ducati 1098 and is bragging about how it could destroy my RC51. My only "come back" I have is, "at least I don't have to spend as much as you when it comes to maintanence." Kind of dumb, I know, but is there anyway I could get my RC51 up to par with his 1098? I have read around the web about how to get it faster, and here is a list I've came up with:

1) Sato Racing Pipes, Low Mounts - more horsepower than the High Mounts
2) Power Commander with Kyle's Custom maps
3) Gearing of 15 front, 41 rear

Other than that, I don't know what else to do.

Knowing that with a higher compression ratio makes more power, and that the Rc51 as a relatively low compression ratio, is it possible to get it up to par with the ducati 1098's 12:5:1 instead of the RC51's 10:8:1? What would I have to go about doing?

thanks

FastILike · 12-09-2007, 2:43 PM

Ohh yeah, I am about 6' tall, 220lbs, and my friend 5' 9'' 190lbs. I got to lose some weight, but how do I shave off some more weight off the RC51? It's RC51: 430 lbs vs 1098: 381 lbs (according to powersportsnetwork.com)

Maholli · 12-09-2007, 3:11 PM

The RC weighs alot more than 430lbs, its more like 456lbs without fuel and with fuel its probally 480-490lbs.. . Check this link out for anymore mods.. And if its a 1098 then you probally need a new bike if you wanna be able to be up to par with his.. The older 999s the RC could handle... With that said I loved my RC, I wouldn't worry to much about it.. DO the mods and you will atleast be able to keep up..

FastILike · 12-09-2007, 10:26 PM

Is it possible, and what steps would I take, to increase the compression ratio of the rc51 effectively for more power?

sheepofblue · 12-10-2007, 12:12 AM

I weighed mine at 460 wet but it already had the stock pipes gone.

It depends on what you want for fast. If you are on the track have the front done by an expert (I had mine done by Thermosman) and add an Ohlins in the back. That will make it handle better which matters more on the track.

If your focus is top speed and horsepower a RC51 will not run with the 1098 in almost all cases. An RC has not advanced since '02 and the 1098 is fresh. Of course as you stated you can ride the RC while he is maintaining his Duc and it was half the cost (and will be for most things from here out).

Oh and just ride. A better rider on an RC can be most Ducs

Maholli · 12-10-2007, 12:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

I weighed mine at 460 wet but it already had the stock pipes gone.

It depends on what you want for fast. If you are on the track have the front done by an expert (I had mine done by Thermosman) and add an Ohlins in the back. That will make it handle better which matters more on the track.

If your focus is top speed and horsepower a RC51 will not run with the 1098 in almost all cases. An RC has not advanced since '02 and the 1098 is fresh. Of course as you stated you can ride the RC while he is maintaining his Duc and it was half the cost (and will be for most things from here out).

Oh and just ride. A better rider on an RC can be most Ducs

spoken by one of the experts..

And those stocks cans are heavy..

15psi88 · 12-10-2007, 5:40 AM

It seems to me that your friend got a 1098 for "bragging rights" so to speak.
With an attitude like that I'd imagine he's not that fast. This is my personal opinion though. Do you know his abilities? Maybe concentrate on your riding, rather than making your bike as light and powerful as his.
Anyways,
The lower compression is a plus for me. I plan on turbo charging mine after I get out of school. I realize the bike is heavy enough,but I'm doing it regardless.

skwyd · 12-10-2007, 9:41 AM

If you are interested in a turbo RC51, well here are some videos my brother just sent me. I am at work now so I cant tell which have the turbo.

YouTube - Startup Honda RC-51 (SP-1) Turbo

YouTube - RC51 Dyno Run

YouTube - RC51 MotoGP Exhaust

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yC_ZwzcaadI&feature=related

YouTube - SP2 mountain climb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0hKozp9lxo

KDA · 12-12-2007, 7:53 AM

Agree with the above posts. You would have to perform major engine work to get your RC equal to a 1098 in HP and you still have the weight problem. If you're talking about drag racing the bike, you're screwed. Track days are another story. I've been riding with the Cornerspeed folks at VIR since last summer. There's nothing like thinking you're really ripping and then one of the instructors on an SV650 blows by you on the outside of a corner. Not to mention the little schmo's on 125's. Sorry, no specific response to your question about raising the compression, but you will need to start with pistons and spend $$ from there. I would just ride it or save yourself some trouble and buy a GSXR 1000.

FastILike · 12-12-2007, 7:48 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepofblue http://www.fireblades.org/forums/ima...s/viewpost.gif
I weighed mine at 460 wet but it already had the stock pipes gone.

It depends on what you want for fast. If you are on the track have the front done by an expert (I had mine done by Thermosman) and add an Ohlins in the back. That will make it handle better which matters more on the track.

If your focus is top speed and horsepower a RC51 will not run with the 1098 in almost all cases. An RC has not advanced since '02 and the 1098 is fresh. Of course as you stated you can ride the RC while he is maintaining his Duc and it was half the cost (and will be for most things from here out).

Oh and just ride. A better rider on an RC can be most Ducs

Wow, 460 wet? How'd you manage such a decrease?

In regards to 15psi88's comment, I don't really know my friend's ability; he used to own a GSX-R 600 and drove that pretty furiously. He was more of a "straight-liner," in which he didn't love the corners as much as I did.

It's not that I don't like my RC51, it's just that it's so heavy compared to other bikes. That makes me feel "out of shape," regardless of my riding abilities. It just makes me wonder other ways I could shave some weight off my baby.

Now, in regards to KDA, the only reason why I don't want a GSX-R 1000 is because all my other riding friends have them (2 of them have the exact same one). Besides that, almost everyone has one; it's all over the place. I'm not down with conforming. Know what I mean?

Lastly, turbo RC51? Hmmmmm.....how is that like?

PS: By the way, what is the lightest RC51 ya'll have seen before?

Maholli · 12-12-2007, 8:25 PM

probally nothing less than 460.. I have never seen one 460 but sheepofblue shoots its straight... seems like it would be hard to get much less than that.. the 07 1098 is 443 wet... so at 7 or 8lbs per ponies ur looking at a 2-4hp difference as far a weight(if u got urs down in the 460's).. and the duc's rwhp is 140.1.. u could probally get 130ish rwhp.. I have seen dyno's of the RC almost 140rwhp.. So do the mods its not to far off.. http://www.rc51.org/dyno/hrcbrown.jpg

Here are some more dyno runs on the RC also it tells you what mods they have done too.. click on where it says dyno runs..

ROGUE RC51 Owners Group of United Enthusiasts

slickwill · 12-12-2007, 8:41 PM

Quote:

PS: By the way, what is the lightest RC51 ya'll have seen before?

I don't know specific numbers but as far as decreasing weight once you have gone to an aftermarket exhaust, there aren't a lot of options. You could spend $2K on magnesium or carbon rims? After that it gets down to nickel and dime stuff like cutting the backend off of the subframe and never take a passenger, going to a race generator (but then not enough power for headlights), my point is that at that point it starts seeming a little silly. The RC is a cool bike and to this day one of my faves from a pure style standpoint but as others have stated it is outdated. The duc is around 140 rwhp but has a lot more potential in there. All your friend would have to do is add the Termi system, ECU and PCIII map and he would be looking at 160+ hp. Even the 848 will be giving the RC a run for it. It comes in at 11 pounds less than the 1098 so figure 430 wet, and 121 rwhp. With full termi system, ECU, and PCIII it will probably be seeing nearly 140 rwhp, 130+ for sure.

As others have said suspension first if you want to be able to take him in the corners, do all the free mods (flapper, soft rev limiter, etc), then possibly full system, PCIII to clean up the fuel injection. But more importantly just work on being a better rider.

sheepofblue · 12-12-2007, 9:59 PM

...
Wow, 460 wet? How'd you manage such a decrease?
...

despite all the people crying Honda's claimed dry is 441. Add gas/oil and water then subtract off the stock cans vs aftermarket and that sounds reasonable. Since that it is down about 20 more with track bodywork, rims and various pieces. Still not light but I like it. I agree other bikes are lighter but a GSXR600 feels like a wind up toy with the powerband of a two stroke

SP2MAN · 12-26-2007, 3:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDA

Agree with the above posts. You would have to perform major engine work to get your RC equal to a 1098 in HP and you still have the weight problem. If you're talking about drag racing the bike, you're screwed. Track days are another story. I've been riding with the Cornerspeed folks at VIR since last summer. There's nothing like thinking you're really ripping and then one of the instructors on an SV650 blows by you on the outside of a corner. Not to mention the little schmo's on 125's. Sorry, no specific response to your question about raising the compression, but you will need to start with pistons and spend $$ from there. I would just ride it or save yourself some trouble and buy a GSXR 1000.

Dude. I would rather spend another $10k on my RC than riding a GSXR. Gixers are build for queers. Gixer owners only buy them because they think they are the fastest but can't even use its power......

for I4's, maybe R1 cause it actually looks cool.

skwyd · 12-26-2007, 3:37 PM

LOL I used to hate the Gixers due to their being prone to blowing their cases, from poor air - oil cooling, all over the track. The 07 model has proven to be formidable as long as Spies, Mladdin, and Yates are on board. I for one would rather ride a TL1000R as it is more similar to my RC. People say that the RC is antiquated but one thing I have learned is this one equation:

HSH = $ + T

Where:

HSH = Horsepower, Speed, Handling
$ = Money
T = Time

FastILike · 07-03-2008, 11:24 PM

Turbo...

jkobflys · 07-04-2008, 12:50 AM

check it out man, i have an 05 rc51 stock suspension, pcIII, slipper clutch, yosh pipes, steering dampener and stainless lines as far as performance goes it dynoed at 120hp to the rear. i ride with a bud that has a 1098 with the goodies he has been riding ducs since the 916 and is actually a very good track and canyon rider, and still i can keep up with him in the canyons everyware we go i.e. malibu, l.a. crest, and your usual tight backroads, on the track? yes he has a big advantage do to the developent gap between both motorcycles my advise would be to do more track days and learn how to ride the RC and take advantage of the power you do have.
but if numbers are the only thing you are concerned about you are better off purchasing a whole new bike than making the RC better than the 1098 it will be cheaper.

hey!!!! i've had verry good gsxr's...... whats goiiiiinggg oonnnnnn!!!!

jrivas · 07-04-2008, 2:41 PM

ok so if turbo is the answer to making the rc fastest possible, where inthe hell does it go?? i hav stripped my 02 to the frame and everything is pretty tight in there. how in the hell could anyone possible keep upwith thes new bikes that come out of the box with sometimes 150 hp?! sometimes impossible! but i guarantee you they dont sound as cool and mean as the rc!! time and money i know will be needed bt besides that , what else?? oh and by the way gixxers do suk!!! everyone has them and are over rated!! i will still race tthem!!

FastILike · 07-06-2008, 3:45 PM

I hear ya'll,....but there is nothing like a custom built motorcycle.

Kvidalin · 07-12-2008, 12:23 PM

RC is not a good candidate for Turbo as they like to run a little warm as it is. A Power commander, good air flow, pipes, remove soft rev limiter, and minor sprocket changes will give you a sweet ride. Any more is diminishing returns. The RC may be heavy and antiquated, but at speed there are few machines as solid as the old RC. You can do headstands on the thing and not get out of shape. If I am going to run triple digits I'll have my RC, you can keep the duc.

jkobflys · 07-12-2008, 2:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kvidalin

RC is not a good candidate for Turbo as they like to run a little warm as it is. A Power commander, good air flow, pipes, remove soft rev limiter, and minor sprocket changes will give you a sweet ride. Any more is diminishing returns. The RC may be heavy and antiquated, but at speed there are few machines as solid as the old RC. You can do headstands on the thing and not get out of shape. If I am going to run triple digits I'll have my RC, you can keep the duc.

jrivas · 07-12-2008, 10:18 PM

hey 15psi88, u mentioned puttin a turbo on your rc, where do you start with putting one of those bad boys on ???

CBR400RR · 07-14-2008, 2:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FastILike

I have a 2003 RC51 with no modifications yet, and I want to start modifiying it as a project over the winter. Anyways, a buddy of mine just recenty purchased a ducati 1098 and is bragging about how it could destroy my RC51. My only "come back" I have is, "at least I don't have to spend as much as you when it comes to maintanence." Kind of dumb, I know, but is there anyway I could get my RC51 up to par with his 1098? I have read around the web about how to get it faster, and here is a list I've came up with:

1) Sato Racing Pipes, Low Mounts - more horsepower than the High Mounts
2) Power Commander with Kyle's Custom maps
3) Gearing of 15 front, 41 rear

Other than that, I don't know what else to do.

Knowing that with a higher compression ratio makes more power, and that the Rc51 as a relatively low compression ratio, is it possible to get it up to par with the ducati 1098's 12:5:1 instead of the RC51's 10:8:1? What would I have to go about doing?

thanks

I can help you my RC51 weighs in at 423lbs on a scale with a full tank of gas and I can destroy most guys on a 1098 as it's 80% rider and not the bike on the track or canyons.

jrivas · 07-14-2008, 2:18 PM

speak your mind cbr400rr...............

gitganben · 07-14-2008, 2:24 PM

Just looking because I saw this thread on the main page. I don't have an RC51 and couldn't tell you how to make yours faster, but I do know this. (And don't take this as me saying not to play with different parts/settings, but) You've got an awesome machine. A homologation bike that was the cats ass when it came out.

It already fast. It looks great. It's got great bloodlines.

Sounds a little like you're buddy's got a fragile ego. Ride you're bike. Keep it clean. Maybe do some basic improvements (exhaust, etc.) Years from now you'll have a fantastic piece of Moto Racing History.

Most of all have fun and enjoy the bike you've got.