How collectible is the RC51, really?

troyberg · 07-01-2009, 1:23 PM

How much of a collectors item is the RC51?

I know that the RC30 and the RC45 are highly sought after bikes, and quite expensive if you can find them for sale. And like the RC51, they are all homologation bikes.

I haven't been able to find production numbers for the RC51 (anyone?) but the 'speculation' I've read on the internet is that several thousand were built per year (perhaps not consistently over the production life of the RC51). The RC30 and the RC45 were both produced in far more limited numbers as I understand?

So how collectible is the RC51?

Discuss

KDA · 07-01-2009, 2:47 PM

Well, I figure if you can buy nice examples for $5,000, they're not very collectible! I have no idea about production numbers, but it's not hard to find nice RC's at reasonable prices.

Bigtoe · 07-02-2009, 8:42 AM

It is highly sought after for those of us that know what the bike is. It's not a common bike like a CBR1000RR is. But they are not a collectors item in my opinion. I bought my 04 from a guy that was hoping it would be. LOL His loss my gain.

zerogara · 07-02-2009, 9:11 AM

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.

Beamish · 07-03-2009, 4:27 AM

At the mo the SP1 will be the first to become collectable but in time the later limited colour SP2s will be very sought after. There were far more red SP1s produced than these, just my opinion though and I am biased.

Zeekster · 07-03-2009, 7:01 PM

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.

zerogara · 07-04-2009, 7:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beamish

At the mo the SP1 will be the first to become collectable but in time the later limited colour SP2s will be very sought after. There were far more red SP1s produced than these, just my opinion though and I am biased.

We should all look for production numbers and report back. The US models called RVT have always had different colors than the ones in the rest of the world called VTRs. But every year had differences in colors and stickers. If production was fading out in the last 3 years and there are half of 08s than are 05s that would make them more collectible being last. Usually the first and last of a sequence are collectible.

Beamish · 07-05-2009, 4:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zerogara

We should all look for production numbers and report back. The US models called RVT have always had different colors than the ones in the rest of the world called VTRs. But every year had differences in colors and stickers. If production was fading out in the last 3 years and there are half of 08s than are 05s that would make them more collectible being last. Usually the first and last of a sequence are collectible.

Yep it will interesting to see how many have been built.

ghbzorro · 07-05-2009, 4:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeekster

well,I guess it's time for my first post.

No need to apologise for having a low number,

Welcome

Beamish · 07-05-2009, 5:29 PM

Do all SP1's have a homologation number on the VIN plates? I have looked on mine and it has a space but no number printed?

zerogara · 07-05-2009, 6:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beamish

Do all SP1's have a homologation number on the VIN plates? I have looked on mine and it has a space but no number printed?

There were only two produced by mistake with a vacant homologation plate! WOW!

Not!

Beamish · 07-06-2009, 2:56 PM

Your a funny guy, why would that question not deserve a straight answer?

Most limited runs have a production number

Thanks for your time.

Chum · 07-06-2009, 8:51 PM

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

jrivas · 07-06-2009, 10:50 PM

my puppy is a collectible in my eyes!!

does that not count for anything!? i think just having something most people dont know has a v twin is good enough.......numbers.......ahhh they are numbers. I mean we all complain about the rc being so "heavy", yet just like zerogara said, it is unique the people who own them just cant part from them

Zeekster · 07-07-2009, 2:37 PM

There's a '04 Nicky bike on E-bay with ONE mile on it! The bid was fer 10K owner likes to get 17k...jus Sayin...

vamike23 · 07-07-2009, 7:12 PM

1st rc ever made on sale on craiglist.......
2000 Honda RC-51 Collector's Bike $6500

Bigtoe · 07-07-2009, 11:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeekster

There's a '04 Nicky bike on E-bay with ONE mile on it! The bid was fer 10K owner likes to get 17k...jus Sayin...

That guy is high! Just sayin

Bigtoe · 07-07-2009, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vamike23

1st rc ever made on sale on craiglist.......
2000 Honda RC-51 Collector's Bike $6500

That would be cool if it is the first one! Still not gonna bring collector $$$

Picante · 07-24-2009, 12:15 AM

i though my 04 was going to be a collectable for sure cause of the nicky hayden signature when i first got it,,,, till i saw it was a sticker

63hardtop · 07-24-2009, 2:20 AM

I picked my '01 up for a STEAL!! $3600. Never down, not a scratch, and a few upgrades. Old guy bought it and didn't end up riding more than 3K miles.

It's a tough market right now and I scored big I think... Am interested in production numbers if anyone finds them.

Bigtoe · 07-24-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Picante

i though my 04 was going to be a collectable for sure cause of the nicky hayden signature when i first got it,,,, till i saw it was a sticker

Sticker or not! It's still a cool bike!

Bigtoe · 07-24-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 63hardtop

I picked my '01 up for a STEAL!! $3600. Never down, not a scratch, and a few upgrades. Old guy bought it and didn't end up riding more than 3K miles.

It's a tough market right now and I scored big I think... Am interested in production numbers if anyone finds them.

Damn that is a great price! Good score!

KDA · 07-24-2009, 11:54 AM

Yes, that is a great price. You should be able to sell that bike for what you have in it at any point in the future as long as it runs and isn't wrecked.

Blakey0078 · 07-31-2009, 10:10 AM

In Australia the SP1 seems to be a little more collectable. Starting at around $10,000 for an ok item to $15,000 (australian) for a low kilometre smick item. Ive been watching the prices for last 2 -3 yrs and the prices havnt gone down, going up for the low k good nick ones.

By the way, my 2000 model is number 000056.

P.S. Australian dollar currently buys 83cents U.S.

Stu494 · 08-03-2009, 1:15 AM

+1 on price in Australia.

I have number 96

I have also been told that there are a few #'s getting around that are handstamped on the VIN plate; this indicates that the machine was hand built...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blakey0078

In Australia the SP1 seems to be a little more collectable. Starting at around $10,000 for an ok item to $15,000 (australian) for a low kilometre smick item. Ive been watching the prices for last 2 -3 yrs and the prices havnt gone down, going up for the low k good nick ones.

By the way, my 2000 model is number 000056.

P.S. Australian dollar currently buys 83cents U.S.

Blakey0078 · 08-03-2009, 6:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stu494

+1 on price in Australia.

I have number 96

I have also been told that there are a few #'s getting around that are handstamped on the VIN plate; this indicates that the machine was hand built...

How shaw are you about this, as mine is definatly hand stamped.

zerogara · 08-03-2009, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blakey0078

How shaw are you about this, as mine is definatly hand stamped.

So now we know where all the hot bikes from Indonesia an Malaysia end up at

Kelevra · 08-03-2009, 12:45 PM

Apologies in advance, but some of your are dreaming.

The RC30 was a hand-built by HRC, street legal race bike. There were only several hundred that made it into the USA, and they came factory with Ti con rods and other race bits.

The RC45 stickered for $27,000, also a Super limited production, street legal'ed race bike here in the States (only 50 of them made it here).

The RC51 was a regular production motorcycle, they made tons of thousands of them from 2000 onward. No special race bits came on the bike. It was a nice bike for sure, and will probable always have some sort of special following, but at the end of the day, it was a regular production bike here in the States and abroad, just like the CBR. I purchased the first 2000 model RC51, only 2 were available per dealer in the USA for quite a while. The parts guy and I were the two in my area to get them. I'm curious if these will be worth more down the road.

Personally, between me and my friends who owned them, they were great bikes with beautiful fit/finishes, superb transmissions, unique sound via gear driven cams. At the end of the day, it was slower then the 929 and also weighed in 40lbs heavier!! Yes, I sold mine for an 01 929. My friends and I were dissappointed with the low power and lardy weight. Obviously there are those who absolutely love their 51's, more power to you, or less as the case may be, heh.

zerogara · 08-03-2009, 1:17 PM

RC51 Production - Speedzilla Motorcycle Message Forums

Heres a list I just threw together, Seems most bikes were manufactured in the months of 02, 03, 10. Im guessing if it was manufactured in October of say 2000 it became a 2001 model I saw this with alot of bike that were manufactured in october. But I don't see any 03/04's or 02/04's Maybe someone with better excel experiance can make up a better list. But the Highest production numbers thus far are: (going by model) 00/#1129, 01/#1131, 02/#1354, 03/1615, 04/?, 05/#443, 06/#224

Honda SP1 Honda SP2

02/00 #441 09/02 #383
03/00 #1218 12/05 #30
03/00 #633 ?/05 #51
04/00 #107 12/05 #136
03/00 #1330 10/02 #411
03/00 #678 03/05 #266
03/00 #23 02/02 #1015
10/00 #94 10/03 #43
02/00 #40 10/03 #94
03/00 #1129 ?/03 #1589
?/00 #137 02/02 #1064
03/00 #13 02/02 #1015
03/00 #1018 03/05 #443
03/00 #64 10/03 #462
?/01 #669 02/02 #1354
10/00 #23 ?/06 #23
03/00 #32 10/02 #36
10/00 #168 ?/02 #1322
02/00 #103 02/02 #69
03/00 #1103 01/06 #224
10/00 #1131 10/02 #1413
?/00 #8 ?/06 #56
?/03 #1615

This thread seems to be based on information just for the US/CA Vin's in other countries probably have different codes and numbering system.
Here is an example of an 03 VIN
"10/03
#94
i think
JH2SC45364M400094"

If one can send us a VIN from Canada or Europe it would help clear things up.

Here is a list I got from a European site:

VTR1000 SP1 2000 SC45 JH2SC45-YM-000001
VTR1000 SP1 2001 SC45 JH2SC45-1M-000001
VTR1000 SP2 2002 SC45 JH2SC45-2M-000001
VTR1000 SP2 2003 SC45 JH2SC45-3M-000001
VTR1000 SP2 2004 SC45 JH2SC45-4M-000001
VTR1000 SP2 2005 SC45 JH2SC45-5M-000001

skwyd · 08-03-2009, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zerogara

We should all look for production numbers and report back. The US models called RVT have always had different colors than the ones in the rest of the world called VTRs. But every year had differences in colors and stickers. If production was fading out in the last 3 years and there are half of 08s than are 05s that would make them more collectible being last. Usually the first and last of a sequence are collectible.

I have #00041 for 2005, and bought it new from the factory, but it was used first as a marketing bike for 2 years. 3k miles, but full factory warranty! I couldnt be happier!