RC51/SP1

Doomwitha929 · 02-10-2008, 7:00 PM

Forgive my ignorance here but what is the diff between the RC51/SP1 and SP2 ? Are the current RC51s upgraded in some ways from the first ones?

jkobflys · 02-10-2008, 7:14 PM

rc51 = u.s. name
sp1 & sp2 = euro name
sp1 = 2000 to 2002
sp2 = 2003 & up
sp2 = upgraded swingarm and small engine mods bit more hp.

Doomwitha929 · 02-10-2008, 7:25 PM

Did the RC51 get the same upgrades the SP2 got?

jonathan · 02-16-2008, 9:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkobflys

rc51 = u.s. name
sp1 & sp2 = euro name
sp1 = 2000 to 2002
sp2 = 2003 & up
sp2 = upgraded swingarm and small engine mods bit more hp.

Small correction - SP2 = 2002 and UP at least outside north america (mine is).

As for the list of modifications:
1. Chassis recived stornger forged engine mounts upfront.
2. Suspention back and FWD recieves diffrent valving and diffrent springs - much improved handling.
3. Weight go down some 6kg, better mass centralization for better handling.
4. Much improved fuel injection (12 lazer drilled nuzzles injectors) - diffrent ECU.

the list goes on with but the orientation is the same - refinement.

Doomwitha929 · 02-16-2008, 8:45 PM

does that go for the US version too of the same years?

jonathan · 02-17-2008, 2:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomwitha929

does that go for the US version too of the same years?

To my best understanding Honda stoped making the RC51/SP1 at 2001.
2002 and up were all RC51/SP2.

Doomwitha929 · 02-17-2008, 8:17 PM

OK so the euro and US bikes are the same for any given year just named diff. Exactly what I needed to know thank you.

lanbrown · 02-17-2008, 8:21 PM

The euro spec bike is different as it is tailored to that market. ECU is different, color scheme and some other odds and ends like the flash to pass switch. This goes for all Honda bikes.

Doomwitha929 · 02-17-2008, 8:24 PM

ahh ok cool.

jonathan · 02-18-2008, 1:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanbrown

The euro spec bike is different as it is tailored to that market. ECU is different, color scheme and some other odds and ends like the flash to pass switch. This goes for all Honda bikes.

But actually if you go into that level of diffrances, Great Britten for example and all those driving on the left side of the road is also diffrent in the head lamp (diffrent lenses).
Another example is Australian version which has some changes to its ECU.

ChrisR1982Edin · 02-18-2008, 11:43 AM

I live in Europe and so I have an SP2 rather than the RC51 (same bike).

One thing though about UK bikes... although from 2002 and upwards they are all known as the SP2 the serials don't show that!

I have a 2004 Honda VTR1000 SP2 and if you look under the pillion seat/rear storage compartment there is a sticker with a reference to the bike.. VTR1000SP4 is what is written!! So although the bike IS an SP2 under the seat there is a sticker that labels it differently.

2003 - SP3
2004 - SP4
2005 - SP5
2006 - SP6
2007 - SP7

BUT written on the side of the bike is ALLWAYS SP1 (2000-2001) and SP2 (2002+).

Chum · 02-25-2008, 6:04 PM

I have a PS2 hooked to my big screen.

j/k

chaos_magic_man · 03-03-2008, 12:57 PM

so whats better and why... I have heard people like the sp1 better and I have heard sp2. WHats yalls opinions?

lanbrown · 03-03-2008, 1:34 PM

SP2 is newer and has some tweaks the SP1 doesn't have. Finding current exhausts for an SP1 is hard comapred to the SP2.

chaos_magic_man · 03-03-2008, 10:02 PM

I drove 5 hours to look at a 2002 only to find out it was a misprint on the craigslist add. It was a 2001. Corbin seat, full titanium akra, PCII, no free mods 18k miles never been down All records. $4,500. I talked them down some. Needless to say I came home with an sp1.

Turder · 03-21-2008, 11:46 AM

Does anyone know technical differencies between Euro-spec SP2 (2002 ->) and USA-spec RC51 (2002->)? I'm specially interested in engine related differencies such as intake, exhaust and ecu. Euro-spec SP2 has something around 135hp where as US-version has 128hp. In addition Euro-version deliveres more torque. Where the difference in power and torque comes from? Is it a difficult task to convert US-version into Euro by replacing needed (ecu?, intake?) parts?

Thanks for info!

lanbrown · 03-21-2008, 11:28 PM

Mainly just ECU to meet different requirements in different areas. Why not just get a PCIII and have a custom map made? More bang for the buck.

Hedgehog · 03-26-2008, 4:10 PM

Uk SP2 has the bars on the right!

Sorry....

psycwar1 · 04-24-2008, 1:33 AM

So could I buy an SP2 and have it shipped from the UK, register it in the US without any legal problems? What would a conversion ECU cost? Anyone?

zakim · 05-05-2008, 3:29 AM

Guys, heres what I think.HRC was absolutely right not to develop the RCs coz I think its just already perfect (at this moment in time).Theres no need for major upgrading or facelift.The bike is a LIVING LEGEND by itself.HONDA should continue to produce the same bike.

rc30sp1 · 05-05-2008, 5:38 AM

i think spi has that wild factor compared to the sp2, also its the base bike joey rode the tt.original and best imho. cheers.

rc30sp1 · 05-05-2008, 5:40 AM

spi? doh !!!

ajluhmann · 05-06-2008, 12:22 AM

Splitting hairs over what type of RC you ride is like saying which boob is better , the right or the left. Buy a PC3 and a set of SATO low mount pipes. You won't be dissapointed.

beerock · 05-06-2008, 1:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rc30sp1

i think spi has that wild factor compared to the sp2, also its the base bike joey rode the tt.original and best imho. cheers.

why is it the wild factor???

cuz its not as easy to ride????? doesnt that translate into slower lap times in the hands of the same rider?

rc30sp1 · 05-06-2008, 6:10 PM

if i was interested in lap times i would buy a gsxr 750/1000/cbr1000/etc etc. and i would start to do laps.?!!

beerock · 05-06-2008, 7:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rc30sp1

if i was interested in lap times i would buy a gsxr 750/1000/cbr1000/etc etc. and i would start to do laps.?!!

i'm just saying, what did you mean buy the sp1 is a wild card?

the sp2 has revalved forks a diff swingarm which would sound like faster laptimes??????

rc30sp1 · 05-07-2008, 1:56 PM

if your interested in lap times why have you not bought a new blade.why do you like the sp over a gsxr. i love my sp1 over the sp2,thats just me though.its like saying the first blade isnt as good as the new one.but then again its more iconic and maybe more fun.rc30 v rc45??? cheers.