buying an RVT

novacaine · 06-23-2008, 1:44 PM

hi, new here, looking at an '05 RC51 & would like some pointers.

2005 HONDA RC51 for sale in Houston, TX: Sportbike - CycleTrader.com

trade in is $5610. how much too much would I be paying. i've checked it out, the only flaws are a rock chip on the tank & a chip above the tail lights.

will check back after work.

thx, Casey

ldavis · 06-23-2008, 2:51 PM

that's pretty high.. i absolutely love the rc's but people think they are worth their weight in diamonds.. i might offer 7200 and see, but be willing walk away..

N3D · 06-23-2008, 3:12 PM

Its a nice bike but you can find cheaper. Look in the For sale stuff on here. There is an RC51 in there for 6500 but i think he lowered it a little since posting. Its the red version but its same great bike.

Craigslist has lots of them for sale for cheap too. I would do more looking, you can find them at good prices thats not an arm and a leg. I got mine for about 6300.

novacaine · 06-23-2008, 3:22 PM

thanks.

is there a big difference between the sp1 & sp2?

nice selection in the marketplace, but i'd like to find one close to home.

craigslist disappoints me.

N3D · 06-23-2008, 3:35 PM

There is differences in the two. The SP2 is supposed to be better in the aspect of handling and lighter parts along with some other changes made like adding a fan to one of the radiators. Couple differences here and there but nothing too major, SP2 of course if probably going to be a little better in my opinion if starting off with just a stock bike, but usually you can find these bikes hopped up for cheap.

Maholli · 06-23-2008, 3:45 PM

Im not sure if you should look at trade-in value. The bike is being sold from a private seller and your not trading anything in for it our you? Usually the trade-in value is what you expect to get from a dealer when you trade-in your bike for a new one.. The Kelly Blue Book has the retail price on that bike for about $8120.. I didn't put any mileage info in or anything else.. The NADA on it is $8435 for avg retail and I would say that is for sure avg retail.. Most of the time a private seller will be expecting closer to the retail price unless of course he is trying to dump it quick.. I would say that price is pretty close.. I think the black is one of the best ones... $7200 and I would take it..

novacaine · 06-23-2008, 4:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novacaine

yea, i offered 7 & he said someone offerd 7800.

i've been looking at the buell xb12Scg, triumph speed triple, triumph thruxton & a honda 919 as well. since i bought my xr250 in 2002 I've drooled over the RC51 in the showroom floor & have only found a handful in for sale in houston.

unfortunately, the owner is upside down & not cooperating 100% so, it looks like I might still be looking...hopefully for not too long.

the trade-in value is what it's worth. not to the owner (or sometimes the buyer) but as fair market value. tho, fair market value doesn't take into account that they stopped making these in '06...

Chum · 06-23-2008, 6:12 PM

You know, I think they are worth more than $7200. Especially an 05. I'd give 8K for a nice low milage 05. That doesnt mean I wouldnt accept a good deal if it was available, but dont disrespect the seller. I want to know that what I pay for a bike will be appreciated when or if I want to sell. If you bought a 2005 RC new for $11K or $12k, would you let it go for $7200 because someone thought thats all its worth? I'd say that someone doesnt appreciate it the way some enthusiast do. If you want the bike bad enough to pay $8K, buy it. Otherwise, filter your craigslist search by price instead of model and buy based on that. Seems thats what everyone wants to do anyway. In short, if you want a RC, be ready to pay for it. $8k for a clean low mileage is a decent deal. Its still got a warranty for goodness sake.
Just my $.02

Bigdaddy75 · 06-23-2008, 6:37 PM

I've been looking at a couple of SP1's here in Australia - there is not a lot available and the 2001 I was looking at yesterday had 30,000 klms and was 13k out the door. Your prices sound great to me. I've seen SP2's for sale as high as 17k which is a shade below 2008 CBR1000RR retail. Sort of makes me wonder, I do like the punch of that vtwin however.

novacaine · 06-23-2008, 8:03 PM

...chum, thats just what i needed. he's gonna bring it by tomorrow.

i went & looked at a couple of buells today, just not the same. even 8k for a scratched '07 zx-10r had me disappointed.

so far, i haven't had much time to troll around yet, is it easy to integrate the blinkers into the taillights? & has anyone here gutted the factory pipes?

Maholli · 06-23-2008, 9:28 PM

I think a good price is whatever you want to spend for a bike you like.. I love the black RC51... You will love it..

jzanutto · 06-24-2008, 10:02 PM

I wasnt even looking for one, I was riding my vintage kawasaki H2 and at a car show a guy came up to me and started chatting it up, he says "I'm going to sell my bike". So I found out it was an 01 RC51, showroom condition, near new tires, power commander, 13k miles, full Leo Vinci system, track prepped. He gave it to me for $5700

I took about a week to see if I could get the cash, meanwhile he posted some flyers in some local shops, no interest at all! I called him after a week and picked it up

skwyd · 06-25-2008, 9:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maholli

I think a good price is whatever you want to spend for a bike you like.. I love the black RC51... You will love it..

I fully agree. My bike is worth more than anyone could ever offer, but that is because I will never sell it. There may be faster, there may be better handling, but this is MY BIKE and that is all that matters. If it is the bike for you, and the price seems reasonable, then buy it. I have never regretted buying mine.

beerock · 06-25-2008, 6:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by novacaine

...chum, thats just what i needed. he's gonna bring it by tomorrow.

i went & looked at a couple of buells today, just not the same. even 8k for a scratched '07 zx-10r had me disappointed.

so far, i haven't had much time to troll around yet, is it easy to integrate the blinkers into the taillights? & has anyone here gutted the factory pipes?

the other thing you should know about the buells are they get deathly hot on the seat due to the exhaust going right underneath the seat. (at least it did on the ulysses 1200 i rode)

the rc's do not really have that issue obviously

novacaine · 06-25-2008, 7:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beerock

the other thing you should know about the buells are they get deathly hot on the seat due to the exhaust going right underneath the seat. (at least it did on the ulysses 1200 i rode)

the rc's do not really have that issue obviously

buells hang the exhaust under the engine. but yea, i know they get hot, test drove an xb9s for 50 miles & became a fan of liquid cooled engines.

sat on a speed triple, thruxton, and scramber & fell in love. the seller is bringing the rvt over tomorrow because he wants me to try & remove the baffle out of the exhaust, (he realy wants to sell, i really want to buy, but the bank says it's too much. they'll finance it to 6500)

beerock · 06-25-2008, 8:03 PM

the ulysses i rode had the exhaust come up right underneath the seat, you sure you looked? maybe they redesigned the exhaust layout? but im pos it was under the seat on the buell i rode

Vegaslife · 08-04-2008, 3:00 PM

Don't really know man. I'm new here myself. I got lucky ( I think ). I bought my 04 RVT about two months ago with 4288 miles on it for 4000

. the only thing I can see that's wrong with it is the left fairing is cracked on the bottum by a rock ( no big ). It takes about three trys to start it but it was not ridden for 9 months and wasn't ridden much as the miles show. On top of being winterized when I got it.

it came with two brothers slip on's. A undertail kit unstalled. aftermarket brake/clutch levers. I don't know what do you guys think????

skwyd · 08-04-2008, 3:02 PM

how much did you pay for it?

Chum · 08-04-2008, 3:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vegaslife

Don't really know man. I'm new here myself. I got lucky ( I think ). I bought my 04 RVT about two months ago with 4288 miles on it for 4000

. the only thing I can see that's wrong with it is the left fairing is cracked on the bottum by a rock ( no big ). It takes about three trys to start it but it was not ridden for 9 months and wasn't ridden much as the miles show. On top of being winterized when I got it.

it came with two brothers slip on's. A undertail kit unstalled. aftermarket brake/clutch levers. I don't know what do you guys think????

You know, I seen an 04 in the Houston craigslist for like $4000. I couldnt believe it. I discounted it for a scam. It kept eating at me that someone was giving that bike away like that. Is that where you found yours for so cheap or do RC's not have a strong market in Houston?

Vegaslife · 08-04-2008, 7:46 PM

Yep thats right 4000$

. I had thirty minutes to meet him with cash in hand when he called me back after I blew his phone up 15 times and left 7 messages. I Knew what a gem a 2004 RC51 with less then 4300 miles on it would be. I showed up about 10 minutes before he did and ran the VIN on it while I waited. Right after he showed up I got the phone call from HPD saying the bike was clean and clear. Now it's sitting in my garage.

Chum · 08-04-2008, 11:41 PM

Right place, right time.
Lucky Bastard!

jkobflys · 08-05-2008, 1:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ldavis

that's pretty high.. i absolutely love the rc's but people think they are worth their weight in diamonds.. i might offer 7200 and see, but be willing walk away..

I agree people think they are worth theire weight in diamonds.. but its gold not diamonds!!....

HRace · 08-08-2008, 4:21 PM

Novacaine
Bad idea mate on removing the baffles the bike will run like sh*t. Hope you can talk the guy down.... you'll never regret buying it. I've had my 03 since new and it is the best motorcycle I have ever ridden. I can still run circles around some of the squids ridin the 08' and 09's. They get so pi**sed.

jacksonrc51 · 08-09-2008, 5:46 PM

Novacaine,
I live about 250 miles from you and about to list mine. If you are still interested let me know and I'll send pics descrips., etc.