[Stu494]

I will be game, and be the first to post my VIN plate.

Bike resides in Australia, but has UK stamped on the lights?

One thing I did notice is that there was no PAIR system (it cane from the factory like this- no holes in the rocker covers, but could be done if desired (NOT)) and the eye brow lights were factory standard (white globe, came on with the ignition as a parker light, now they are indicators)

[Stu494]

this may help a little as well

[zerogara]

International RC51 Registry

[skwyd]

broken link

[zerogara]

Originally Posted by skwyd

broken link

Well, it was working yesterday
This one works now!
Honda RC51

[skwyd]

AWESOME! THANKS! Why those Bars?

[Puddleglum]

I just bought my bike a few days ago. The actual VIN badge was removed, but the frame has the VIN stamped into it. It has the Nicky Hayden sticker/decal on it (which I thought started in 2004) but the previous owner says it's a 2003. How can I tell?

[zerogara]

The 2003 has a black anodized frame and swingarm, while the 04 is clear coated aluminum. The 03 also has a black tail with silver number backing, the opposite of 02, while the NH 04 model has silver tail with white backing.
If you check above at the table of what VIN numbers mean you can find out the year model. Production for each year starts on September of the previous year and ends August of the current one. So a 9/03 made bike is an 04 but as you are missing the plate you don;t have the production date.

[ERION929]

I've got a 929 and would like to pick up the RC51 just to trade off once in awhile, but after I read Kelevra's post not quite sure. 99% of my riding is country roads and coastline. Any input?
Bob

[Diamondback]

Originally Posted by ERION929

I've got a 929 and would like to pick up the RC51 just to trade off once in awhile, but after I read Kelevra's post not quite sure. 99% of my riding is country roads and coastline. Any input?
Bob

It loves those kind of roads. It's not a touring bike, it loves to attack an apex. You won't regret it if you're not looking for the most powerful bike in your group of riders.

[zerogara]

The 929 was a nice bike, but it was a bike in a sequence of big CBRs that still hasn't ended and it barely differs from the other 1lit bikes.
The RC51 was a statement that Honda can built a better Ducati than Ducati can if they decided to. Remember that 996 and 998s were competing against 4cyl 750s.
Still today it is the most advanced twin that came out of Japan. (period)
It has character that is its own and to feel this you should ride and listen to one first. The frame and its setup is very different than any 4cyl bike, and in my opinion as close to a race bike as possible for street use. Those RC30 and RC45 bikes may be more collectible but are a couple of eras away in terms of riding experience. It may not be handbuilt at HRC but it was designed at HRC to win Superbike races, then handed over to Honda to make it barely street legal. That same frame handled in excess of 180hp in race tune.
Do yourself a favor and take a good 929 dyno chart and a RC51 dynochart and compare them throughout the range, not just pick power. On the street the RC has power you can use. I seriously doubt you are getting more than 80% of the power out of the 929 and still have a license.
The best advantage the RC has, women like to ride in the back of it more than 4cyl and then get home fast, if you know what I mean

[ERION929]

Thanks for the info. Right now I'm battleing a flat spot on the 929 that is becoming a pain. I've always been more fond of user friendly power and have tried to build the bikes accordingly rather just go after "high horsepower"
My 929 in my opinion is low on horse per other bikes in that class and it does'nt bother me. For the roads I ride on it's a potent bike and suitable. Iv'e never riden the RC51 but I can only imagine the difference of the two. I'm going to be looking for a 49 state bike to do away with some of the smog issues I'm having on my 929 (Ca. model) and I believe it requires 7,500 miles to get registered here. More input on year, and if I should go with the 49 state would be appreciated.
Thanks, Bob

[Blakey0078]

Went on a track day to Oran Park, (Sydney, Australia), the other day and a bloke had 000031 build. And it was also a hand stamped vin

[skwyd]

Originally Posted by Diamondback

It loves those kind of roads. It's not a touring bike, it loves to attack an apex. You won't regret it if you're not looking for the most powerful bike in your group of riders.

I disagree, You wont regret it and you wont find a more powerful bike in the twisties...Okay Im biased, but with 70 ft lb of torque and 130 horsepower it will holt its own (and some of theirs) in the mountains and coastal canyons.

[jgos929]

Originally Posted by zerogara

I believe the 2000 - 2002 sp1 & sp2 were homologation bikes but from 02 the bike remained the same till 2008 in some countries that it was sold. In many countries it was only sold till 05 but a smaller production continued for an other 3 years. Other than colors and stickers the differences from 02 to 08 were so small that only RC51 gurus could identify. It is too early to be collectible in those numbers, but with more and more bikes getting chopped, wrecked, and raced, the numbers will go down.
It is still very unique, a Ducati made by Honda, something the TL bikes couldn't relate with. It was built to beat the Ducatis, it did so, and signed off. In this respect the SP1 being produced for 2 years and in small numbers it will be more collectible than the sp2 in the near future.

A Ducati made by Honda thats funny. It was a Vtwin made by Honda. And if someone could chime in who owns one of these so called 07 or 08 RC51's I would appreciate it. Production was halted after 06. They didn't keep making them for 2 years afterwards. Thats the stupidest thing I've ever read. You can go to any forum and ask anyone and you will never ever find someone with an 07 or 08.

There is an interview somewhere from one of the motorcycle mags where the designer and a couple of Honda reps state that there was only 2200 sp1's shipped to the states in 2000. After they immediately sold then they upped the production for 01-06 to about 15K a year. IMO the 2000 will be the ultimate 51 to own and be worth the most because its low production #'s and its wsbk domination its 1st year out.

Originally Posted by Zeekster

well,I guess it's time for my first post. I have # 000316 2k! pretty low vin#. got a few Farkles. worth...prolly 6500 or so...just got it, bought it for 'It' bein a duc eater in it's day...pure-n-simple.

ITS NOT A DUC EATER. The track bike was givin that name. The 51 on the street next to a comparable Ducati at the time was getting smoked everytime !!! You do not have a "duc eater" and please dont try to race a Ducati because you will be dissapointed.

Originally Posted by Chum

Interesting chat here.

If I were buying one for long term collector investment, being in America, I would buy an 04 Hayden edition. Not that they are better bikes, but it is the Honda sanctioned race replica that commemorates the RC51's success. And they were the only models in North America that had a silver frame and swingarm. Then again, thats just my opinion

An 04 Hayden will be worth no more then any other 01-06. 1st off because every 04 is a Hayden. If there was a limited run of them then maybe. 2nd it came out a full 2 years after Hayden won and after the 51 was taken out of wsbk contention. Why not do it in 03 when it would have mattered?

History has shown us that most of the time the 1st of anything is usually the one that comes out being more valuable. I sure am glad I own a 2000

[skwyd]

jgos929, first bro that is HARSH! Second, on the street the only riders that would try to race each other are RETARDS so if they can eat a duc.. I hope they do so with a nice chianti.

As for the SP1 (whether 2000 or 2001) I wish that people would just snatch them up and get them off the market. I for one prefer the better built bike over the prototype. If the SP1 was such an incredible machine, then the SP2 would never have been built, right?

I do agree with you about the race bike being very different from the street version. Front mounted radiators, numerous engine modifications, no emissions, no lights, different computer and programs, thinner walls in the gas tank, etc. But one thing we will all have to agree on is that the RC51 is a uniquely INCREDIBLE motorcycle.

Regards!

[jgos929]

[quote=skwyd;860585]As for the SP1 (whether 2000 or 2001) I wish that people would just snatch them up and get them off the market. I for one prefer the better built bike over the prototype. If the SP1 was such an incredible machine, then the SP2 would never have been built, right? [quote]

Better built ??? Thats about as funny as the "honda made ducati" comment. Them calling it the sp1 and sp2 is where people like you assume its a better built bike or a completely different bike all together. The differences between the 2 are so subtle that if you rode an sp1 & sp2 back to back I would bet a small fortune you couldn't tell the difference between the 2. Lets see the differences are the swingarm and the throttle bodys/injectors. Naturally as something progresses through its life span it becomes improved. I wouldn't say better necessarily. Again we're not talking about the "better built" bike we're talking about which one is going to be more valuable. Would I rather have a black 06 over my 00 you bet I would cause I think they look a whole lot better. But again which one is gonna be worth more in the long run??? My money is still on the 2000

[skwyd]

Good luck with that.

[jgos929]

Originally Posted by skwyd

Good luck with that.

Luck has nothing to do with it.

[vma]

[quote=jgos929;860594][quote=skwyd;860585]As for the SP1 (whether 2000 or 2001) I wish that people would just snatch them up and get them off the market. I for one prefer the better built bike over the prototype. If the SP1 was such an incredible machine, then the SP2 would never have been built, right?

The differences between the 2 are so subtle that if you rode an sp1 & sp2 back to back I would bet a small fortune you couldn't tell the difference between the 2. Lets see the differences are the swingarm and the throttle bodys/injectors.

I dont need your small fortune, but there is a lot of difference between SP1 and 2 when you compare them (a lot more than swingarm and fuel system).
Also, a ride is different. How do I know that? I have those both, and I can assure you, SP2 is better bike.

ps. And you can keep your fortune.

ps2. You are right. SP1&2 never were any Duc eaters in street form.

[jgos929]

[quote=vma;860669][quote=jgos929;860594]

Originally Posted by skwyd

As for the SP1 (whether 2000 or 2001) I wish that people would just snatch them up and get them off the market. I for one prefer the better built bike over the prototype. If the SP1 was such an incredible machine, then the SP2 would never have been built, right?

I dont need your small fortune, but there is a lot of difference between SP1 and 2 when you compare them (a lot more than swingarm and fuel system).
Also, a ride is different. How do I know that? I have those both, and I can assure you, SP2 is better bike.

ps. And you can keep your fortune.

ps2. You are right. SP1&2 never were any Duc eaters in street form.

Please explain to me the differences and please don't copy & paste out of wickipedia.

[SubSailor]

There are definite differences between the two variants.
However they are effectively irrelevant on the street.
In pro level racing, they may be important key differences, but I'll never know since I don't race.

All I do know is that it's a very well made, robust machine.
The gear drive cams are super reliable, easy to service, and expensive to make.
Which why Honda doesn't include them on their bikes anymore, except it's race bikes.

Frankly I like my RC51 for what it isn't, an I-4.
And in a sea of bikes that sound the same, it stands out.
It's a good solid bike with great performance and character.

[Fluffycat]

I agree the SP1/2 was never a Duc eater, not even on the track. The races were always close. On the road the Sp is comparable to the Duc. The area where its not comparable is servicing. Honda wins hands down.
I think the Sp1 in stock trim had very average suspension and for me this showed up when i took the bike to the track. The R1 it is not(suspension wise). This seems to me quite funny as the bike mags at the time raved about how good it was. The bike needed more height at the rear and this could be fixed with a shim. Or better still chuck the original shock for something better. The front was over damped for the road and for all the years that i have owned it hard to get just right. Unlike my Gsxr or R1 etc.
The Sp is a classic, but its to soon to say if its going to be collectable in my book. Then again, i have already collected mine.

[zerogara]

If you do a search on the forum you may find a link to Honda UK I had posted that listed 2008 SP2 and MSRP, the link is now invalid as it is not sold anymore. You may also find a link somewhere of a major UK moto magazine that says that the 08 may still be the best sport bike Honda sells, but as it is sold for a hew hundred more than the CBR1k and since it hasn't really changed since 02 you may as well look for a good used model.
In 2000 the RC had more power and was faster on track than the Duc equivalent, so was the SP2. This is stock in 02 when they came out, both Aprilia and Duc were down on power, and on track they got their butts kicked. So said the comparison tests then. Whether by 04 the Ducati was faster than the unchanged SP2 that is a different story.
The Hayden edition was a US only model, or North Am. Elsewhere the bikes were colored differently. Ub Europe for some years the Edwards colored bike was sold. Did they come out with an 04 after an 03 championship, I don't remember.
Look at compression of an SP2 and a 998/999 and also look at the price tags of the Duc R models.
To top it all off the Honda would still run in the rain without a condom around the electronics and instruments. How many 998s have you seen in the rain?
And your attitude is best kept at the speedzilla war room.

Here I found some evidence for you, show me yours: AD

[HRC RC51]

[quote=jgos929;860681][quote=vma;860669]

Originally Posted by jgos929

Please explain to me the differences and please don't copy & paste out of wickipedia.

the swingarm is lighter and stronger, rear shock is different and better (but still needs an Ohlins), the TBs are 62mm instead of 54mm, the injectors have 12 holes instead of 4 holes, the cooling system is routed a bit different and has 2 fans instead of one, the wheels are lighter, front forks have stronger internals, oil cooler is bigger and repostioned, upgraded engine internals, exhuast is a bit more open for better flow through the header pipes, frame is lighter and stiffer for better handling in the corners, gained 4bhp and lost 11 pounds, the windscreen is taller for better bubble for rider in race tuck. Look up more if you want to, but I would say that is a different bike.

These changes came down from Edwards 02 SP2 and having had a 2000 and 2004 there is a difference on the street and track is even more evident.

as far as collectable...it has high production number during all years for it to not really be "worth" a bunch of money. They are harder to find in good shape or in stock for, so it is making more of a demand, but it will never be a RC30 or Yamaha R7. I love the bike, it is unique out on the road and that makes it a bike I want to have in my "collection".

This bike is an example of how Honda built a bike to compete with Ducati at full cc displacement and came out the winner the first year out (Haga and his Yamaha R7 got screwed in my opinion on "drug" testing). It was purpose built and completed it's job.

If you want to know more about the RC51 then do some research, it is quite interesting to discover it's story.

I think it was kinda crap that Edwards didnt get a replica bike. He got Honda a WSBK title in 2000 and 2002. I think that is harder than an AMA superbike title. I guess when Edwards went to Aprilia for MotoGP in 2003, Honda was pissed. They should have done a Hayden replica for the 2007 CBR1000RR for Hayden's 2006 MotoGP title.

Oh and the RC51 that is collectible is the 03 Hayden rep where only 6 were made in honor of his 02 AMA superbike title. There was a huge demand to have a Hayden rep that Honda did the 04 as a rep as well, but they are different. I havent found any pics of the 03, but it had a signed tank and yellow Enkel rims. There are talks about that bike in some Honda forums. Now that is probably worth some money.

[zerogara]

Again, the Hayden edition was a North American only edition, the rest of the world did get an Edwards Castrol paint scheme for a while longer.
Just compare the two pics below. A few Castrol stickers and an Edwards label on the windscreen and off you went pretending.

http://russtaylor.co.uk/wp-content/u...y_rhs_1024.jpg
http://ducatimonster.files.wordpress...pg?w=655&h=491

[jgos929]

Hey zero my attitude goes where I go bud.

[quote=HRC RC51;862391][quote=jgos929;860681]

Originally Posted by vma

the swingarm is lighter and stronger, rear shock is different and better (but still needs an Ohlins)thats false it just has a side mounted nitrogen canister instead of rear mounted, the TBs are 62mm instead of 54mm, the injectors have 12 holes instead of 4 holes, the cooling system is routed a bit different and has 2 fans instead of one, the wheels are lighter, front forks have stronger internals thats also false, oil cooler is bigger and repostioned, upgraded engine internals thats is incredibly false, exhuast is a bit more open for better flow through the header pipes i believe the pipe is the same diameter but the ports are d shaped instead of round, frame is lighter and stiffer for better handling in the corners, gained 4bhp more like 2 and lost 11 pounds, the windscreen is taller for better bubble for rider in race tuck. Look up more if you want to, but I would say that is a different bike. I disagree because again the changes are very subtle

These changes came down from Edwards 02 SP2 and having had a 2000 and 2004 there is a difference on the street and track is even more evident.

Oh and the RC51 that is collectible is the 03 Hayden rep where only 6 were made in honor of his 02 AMA superbike title Holy crap did you write the wiki article cause your matching it word for word? Those bikes do not exist Hayden himself doesn't even have one of those. There was a huge demand to have a Hayden rep that Honda did the 04 as a rep as well, but they are different. I havent found any pics of the 03 again because THEY DONT EXIST look at all the other forums nobody has ever seen one or has claimed to have or know someone who has one, but it had a signed tank and yellow Enkel rims no it didnt. There are talks about that bike in some Honda forums no there isnt. Now that is probably worth some money.

[zerogara]

The big difference of the injectors and throttle bodies wasn't in hp but the way the engine behaved, it run better low, revved smoother etc.
I think between Hayden and Edwards there were 4 championships, 2 AMA and 2 WSB titles! The 03 was ust like the 02 with the colors of the tail reversed. 04s in N.Am were all silver framed/s.arm and had Hayden's roadrunner symbol on the fairing. They came out 9/03

The big difference in the frame wasn't just the fork but that the caster angle was sharper, then the swingarm was longer but the final wheelbase was the same. Also the engine mounts on the frame gave it more stiffness, the triple tree pivot shaft was bigger than anything out there. The nut itself is 49-50mm. That larger diameter shaft/bearings made big difference as well. So apart from the engine being similar but lightened, the rest of the bike feels very different.

[jrivas]

do you work for honda jgos929??? cause if you do, i need you on my side...........you sure do know alot about the rc....(no offfense, please no offense), there is alot we apparently dont know, please school us. i like my 02 so this is very interesting, go easy on the rest of us that "dont know"

[HRC RC51]

[quote=jgos929;868892]Hey zero my attitude goes where I go bud.

[quote=HRC RC51;862391]
well i didnt mean to piss you off with my post...I put up info I had read from magazines over the years, but I am glad you have all the facts.