Possible new RC51 owner

hyak107 · 05-15-2008, 10:33 PM

Hello, new guy here from Austin, TX. I'm going to look at an '03 RC51 and if everything checks out am hoping to ride it away. It has 12k miles and a few different mods, looks to be in good shape. Guy lives in the same town as me and I've seen him on the road a couple of times. Asking price is $5500.

I've been riding for quite a few years but have almost always owned big bore dual sports. I purchased an '08 VStrom earlier this year, first bike I've owned without DOT knobbies. Much different feeling leaning a bike with street tires over. I've really enjoyed the VStrom and want to keep it for longer trips, but I've been wanting to get a sportbike to ride through the Texas Hill Country. The RC51 just seems to call out to me (I really like the twin in the Vstrom).

Before I go and look at the bike I was hoping y'all could give me some pointers in regards to what I should look for. I've always done my own maintenance on dual sports so I'm good with the mechanical basics, but I want to know if there's anything specific to the RC51 I should watch out for.

Any assistance will be greatly appreciated, and hopefully by the end of the weekend I'll be a member with an actual bike.

Chum · 05-15-2008, 11:06 PM

Good luck tomorrow. I havent owned mine long enough to help. Enjoy.

rogerbrks · 05-22-2008, 10:43 AM

How did the purchase go?

1badfish · 05-22-2008, 10:08 PM

I'm picking up an 04 Nicky Ed. tomorrow (new, in the crate) Can't freakin wait. Just sold the 954RR which was an incredible machine. No other bike blows my skirt up like the RC

rogerbrks · 05-23-2008, 9:35 AM

I wrecked my 929 last Sunday and I'm looking on Craiglist for another one in the Austin area. Did you take a look at the '03 RC51? How was it? Where did you buy the New Nicky Ed?

1badfish · 05-23-2008, 9:11 PM

Just picked up the bike today from Lawrenceville Honda. They had one more but I think it was sold to a guy from Kentucky. The service absolutely sucked!!! The sales person Jody is a waffle house waitress on F****** crack!! Before I left I made sure to tell her that the bike would never be back. I've bought 2 from those arse holes and I will never return. My local guy just couldn't get one.

So far I like it a lot. It's gonna take a while getting used to. I can't figure out the gears/RPM's More later.

Gothy · 05-24-2008, 10:10 AM

Im thinking of buying one too,

Well no I AM going to buy one, because I've just got a job at a yamaha bike shop.
So i will have tonnes of money, and i can buy one at last.
But they are quite rare over here, so finding one is a problem.