http://cnj.craigslist.org/mcy/549241695.html

ive been doin some looking for a few weeks on the usual sites to possibly pick up a rc51. im trying to sell my bandit and f4i to free up some cash, but i do have enough to pick this one up.

the bike looks pretty clean, and priced pretty well, any opinions? ive done a decent amount of research and it seems like everyone says to get the sp2 over the sp1, any opinions? thanks

 

I don't recall the upgrades of the SP2 vs the SP1...I think something about a different swingarm is just one of the differences.

The RC51 is fun to ride for canyon carving, but as a commuter it sucks. Not to say it can't do the job, but if you just want a commuter, you can definitely pick a better bike.

 

you don't want an sp1 plus that price isn't very good. I got my 2004 with 8000 miles for 7000 with mods and mint condition. I'd look on speedzilla.com for used bikes. There's always great deals on there. Also keep in mind it's a big v-twin. Solid as a rock in the turns but it's heavy (definitely compared to your f4i or bandit) so getting it there can feel difficult and is tiring at times. Also power is completely different. It's a great bike though and completely worth it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by marmaladedad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't recall the upgrades of the SP2 vs the SP1...I think something about a different swingarm is just one of the differences.

The RC51 is fun to ride for canyon carving, but as a commuter it sucks. Not to say it can't do the job, but if you just want a commuter, you can definitely pick a better bike.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Upgraded swingarm, slightly different motor, plus a slew of other various things. It's a fair share of differences worth the money. Also yeah as a commuter it suck imo. The bike runs hot and doesn't get very good mileage when running any decent map.

 

here is an interesting tidbit of information to keep in mind....

The RC51 and Hayabusa are the most commonly stolen motorcycles.....


I have had four friends that have had RC's and two of them had their bike stolen. Your choice though.

 

don't let RJ see this thread

 

the bike would be a commuter/weekend bike so the overheating does worry me, but wouldnt engine ice or better coolants/ wiring a full time fan work?

and i checked the weight/horsepower of the bike, my 1200 bandit is in the mid to high 400lb range so im used to heavier bikes, lol

anyway im not in a huge rush to run out and buy an rc51, but if the right one pops up i might be lead to get one. my main choices have been an 02 and up rc51, 07 600rr, or a ducati. i really want to try out a vtwin but i dont think ill be able to afford ducati maintenace fees. the 600rr is the clear best option for my style riding but the vtwin bug is biting and the rc51 seems like the bike for me.

 

Ducati's aren't that expensive to own.....they are relative reliable machines. They are just a little more involved than some bikes. The only major thing you have to worry about is the fact that most of them use a timing belt instead of a chain which have to be changed. They just need to be properly maintained and kept up. As long as you do what the factory reccomends, you will not have any problems out of them.

The kicker is the bill every 12-15k miles when you need to change the t-belt, unless you have the abilities to do it yourself. I find it easy to do, just time consuming, as you have to remove the front portion of the bike because the engine IS the frame.

 

what ducatis are you looking at?

get a haynes/helms manual and do all the maintenance yourself

 

sp1 or sp2 it doesn't really matter. Either one is better off with a gearing change and a pciii.
I had an sp1 and it was fine. I had a lot of mods done to it, and in comparison to a near stock sp1 that I rode mine felt infinitelyore streetable.
Even so the rc51 is a pretty miserable street bike. Its vibey on the freeway, has tall *** gearing, gets hot fast and doesn't cool down well, and has a short range on high octane fuel.

It was a very fun bike and I was happy to own it ( I should also mention it was cheaper to insure than my f4i) but it just wasn't the street bike I wanted.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rdblckSV650S &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">sp1 or sp2 it doesn't really matter. Either one is better off with a gearing change and a pciii.
I had an sp1 and it was fine. I had a lot of mods done to it, and in comparison to a near stock sp1 that I rode mine felt infinitelyore streetable.
Even so the rc51 is a pretty miserable street bike. Its vibey on the freeway, has tall *** gearing, gets hot fast and doesn't cool down well, and has a short range on high octane fuel.

It was a very fun bike and I was happy to own it ( I should also mention it was cheaper to insure than my f4i) but it just wasn't the street bike I wanted. </TD></TR></TABLE>

and it was a good thing you switched cuz that sv is bad ***

all things considered, i think the general consensus is: if you want to daily it, dont buy it. Otherwise, bargain it down to 4500 or less and get it!

 

Injectors/spray pattern were different if I remember correctly... also the handling issues can be tuned out if you know what you are doing. But she still is a little longish and porky.. great bike non the less

 

i know they made more than one color but is 99% red?????

 

Here is a list of the changes. IMO it's worth it to find an SP2 if you really want a 51. Look for my post in this thread, it's the 12th post.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=1212881

I would not get 2000, look for at least 02+ or sp2. I hope this helps you out, I looooooooove my RC.

Here is some info:

Plastics/Paint Scheme differences:
- 00, 01, and 02 are the same
- 03 has black tail, less black on front cowl, and the entire "honda wing" fits on
the side cowls. Tanks has slight differences. Pictures below for 00-02 vs. 03 differences.
- 04 generally same as 00-02 except it has white "number plates" instead of black (and an unpainted frame - as noted below by RC-Rick)

Mechanical/component differences 02 & up as compared w/ 00-01:
- longer, re-designed swingarm
- improved FI & larger throttle bodies
- lighter 5 spoke wheels (6 spoke on 00-01)
- Slip on exhaust for 00-01 only fits 00-01 and 02 & up slip-ons only fit 02 & up.
- There are other minor changes not really that important to your choice (relocated oil cooler, taller stock windscreen, etc.)

Here's the detail pics of 00-02 vs. 03 paint schemes...






The above info is courtesy of dhdrider from another board.
The below info is courtesy of geremy from another board.

Part
Difference
Reason for Change

Forks
Lighter Staunchion Tubing, Softer Damping
Stiffer, more compliant

Front Axle
Heavier
Change front/rear weight bias

Front Brake Discs
Thickness increased from 3.5mm to 4.0mm
Prevent warping

Front Caliper Hangers
Different Design
??

Front Calipers (???)
Piston Coating (???)
Smoother action, better feel, less drag

Front Brake Master Cylinder
19 to 17 mm
Better feel

Front Wheel
5 Spoke
Lighter

Steering Stem
Larger
Stronger

Steering Stem top nut
Increased to 41 mm (previously 32 mm)
Stronger

Frame
Different engine hangers, swingarm pivot
Lighter, Stronger

Throttle Bodies
Increased from 54mm to 62mm
Better throttle response, more top end power

Velocity Stacks
Size Increase
Better throttle response, more top end power

Air Filters
Beneficial restrictor in left filter
Better throttle response, more top end power

Injectors
New 12 hole design (previously 4 hole)
Better fuel atomization

ECU
32-bit CPU (previously 16-bit)
Better throttle response

Cooling System
Fan for each radiator, relocated oil cooler
More efficient cooling system

Seat Undertray
Redesign, ECU location change
Better underseat arrangement

Swingarm
Complete redesign, longer, lighter
Better rear grip and feel

Swingarm Pivot Inserts
different (?)
??

Rear Brake Hanger
different (?)
??

Chain
Longer
Length increased to accommodate longer swingarm

Rear Wheel
5 spoke
Lighter

Rear Shock
Relocated resevoir, softer damping
Easier to route exhaust, more compliant

Windscreen
Higher
Better wind protection

Windscreen bolts
Cheaper black plastic
Cost

Exhaust port shape
Now heart shaped (previousy round)
more efficient

Exhaust Header
re-shaped
More efficient/Lighter/More top-end

Exhaust Cans
Redesign/Lighter
Lighter

Rear Mudflap
Redesign
??

Spark Plugs
Different Part #s
Emissions? Longevity?

Clutch
First Friction Disk has larger Diameter, addition of Judder Spring
Better Clutch Action


The colors changed in 05, to a black charcoal color.




Modified by backlash at 9:25 AM 1/25/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EngineNoO9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Upgraded swingarm, slightly different motor, plus a slew of other various things. It's a fair share of differences worth the money. Also yeah as a commuter it suck imo. The bike runs hot and doesn't get very good mileage when running any decent map.</TD></TR></TABLE>


I am 99% sure the engine is the same other than the exhaust port shaping in the cylinder heads, throttle bodies on the 02-06 are larger than the 00-01. Subframe is a little different, windscreen is a little taller on the SP2(bodywork the same), wheels are lighter, swingarm is different, larger steering stem, different triple clamps, and OEM headpipes exit slightly different. That's all I can think of right now. The 51 is a fun bike that is easy to get really comfortable on, and I don't mean physically comfortable, I mean confident.

Oh yeah, oil cooler placement is different and radiators are slightly different.

 

nice, backlash!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Gant &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i know they made more than one color but is 99% red?????</TD></TR></TABLE>

Here's what Backlash was talking about:

 

only the 05's came in the black scheme.

 

thanks for all the info im gonna keep my eyes open for a clean sp2, but for the time i guess ill continue to ride my f4i and bandit.

 

I say get her down to 4200-4500 cuz shes gonna need a new tires pretty soon and do the regular maintainaces again(change oil,filter,air filter,sparks plug ) maybe brake pads flush brake fluid, insurance dmv dues that about 500-700 bucks already

But I agree with everyone saying get a sp2 if u can find one if not sp1 would be fine if I known the difference b4 I picked my sp1 I would've waited to get an sp2 but since I got her for sooo cheap and couldn't pass it so bought it the next day i love my sp1 never regret it (yet) lol now I'm hook and been buying parts for her

Goodluck man

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by backlash &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">







</TD></TR></TABLE>

One of those bikes belongs to my buddy Mark and the other one belongs to Coleman.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Naya the Dingo &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

One of those bikes belongs to my buddy Mark and the other one belongs to Coleman.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yep, cehowardrc51. Ya can't miss the white wheels.

 

Yurp, the other one is EppyF4i's and is for sale. I don't think he has sold it yet, but it is a killer deal. Ohlins Road and Track forks, Ohlins shock, and Moriwaki link. Sato high mount, PCIII, aftermarket undertail, and a bunch of other goodies. The wheels are silver now. He's selling it for $8500.

 

I was just gonna recommend eppy's. And good old coleman. I wanna be like him when I grow up.... That is racing wera, ccs and what not at 60 yrs old. That'd be the ****. Naya - do you know eppy and coleman from rogue or speedzilla? Eppy is one of my friends plus I seem to see coleman at every summit day I do.


oh and 2004 &gt; *

 

Thanks guys for the good words about my bike.

Yes its for sale http://www.speedzilla.com/foru....html

The bike is located in MD. I'm asking 8500.00 but will take offers and cash talks. If you are trying to get to a certain price point I will be willing to take certain parts of and put them back to stock to bring the price down.

Bike and parts were over 18,000.

Now a good pic.