its not new technology yet people still act like its the greatest track bike ever! Its a V-twin but hey, Duc is doing it, Think there could ever be a comeback for the RC51? for those of you who do visit the track regularly and have/do own one, how does it stack up against the new liter bikes?

 

Inline 4 liter bikes smash it like you're standing still on the straight. Modern 600's will beat it down the straight too. Where the RC51 strives is its stability in turns and its torque that any liter v-twin will have. It is heavy and takes some work to get dialed in but once set up it's a very capable bike. Biggest downside is from the factory the shock needs replacing. Brakes are very capable as are the stock forks. Like anything else everything can be improved with upgrades though. The RC51 motor does put out great torque and put down the most power out of the older v-twins of that era (999s, aprilia rsv1000r). You buy the bike cause you want a v-twin that has an incredible history behind it (Honda bitch slapping Ducati in WSBK with it) and well because it just kicks ***. I'd love if Honda released a 1200cc v-twin - RC61 type of bike. Most of the people I know who started out on twins absolutely love them. Lots of guys who primarily ran on i4's while learning can't get used to the v-twin.


Plus... how could you not want this?

*obligatory picture whoring*

 

gear driven cams for the win!
*obligatory video whoring*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs-zvXrf9C0
My buddy one his mille, and then me on my RC51. The RC sounds amazing!
Yes it's not the best street bike, but there are a lot of amazing things about it, and it just looks drop dead sexy. I'd take it over a 999 any day, because I can afford to own it.

A mille would be really nice too. My friend's was comfortable and capable.

 

yes gear driven cams are great. No more worrying about cam chain tensioner failures.

 

I love my RC51. I put her on a diet, improved the cooling, and installed a Penske 3-way shock, new shock linkage, and had the forks revalved and sprung.

Would the RC51 make a comeback? I don't think so. There's been zero factory development since 2002 and most of the aftermarket companies have either stopped producing parts or stopped developing new parts.

If Ducati runs away with the SBK championship due to the new 1200cc rules, perhaps Honda will dust off their RC51 files and develope a new V-twin.


Modified by Jasper_db1 at 9:20 PM 6/28/2008

 

I think with the rules set as they are now, its a definite possibility that honda will release a new rc51. I would absolutely love it.

And honda, no more inline 4's please, go back to the v4's. Who wouldnt want a 600rr v4 or a 1000rr v4?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by knockout &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think with the rules set as they are now, its a definite possibility that honda will release a new rc51</TD></TR></TABLE>

They seem to be doing just fine with the 1000RR, why develop an expensive homologation special?

 

+1 RJ.

I don't see the new RR having any issues running with the new Ducatis.

What really makes the RC51 special to me is that Honda went outside their comfort zone to developed a bike for one purpose.

I doubt Honda will ever build another V-Twin race bike. I can see them developing a 1000cc V4 if the 1200cc twins get out of hand and start winning championships though. That would be awesome.


Modified by Jasper_db1 at 12:06 AM 6/30/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 85 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">its not new technology yet people still act like its the greatest track bike ever! </TD></TR></TABLE>

I don't think knowledgeable folks think that at all OP... I do think that the bike represents a period in Honda's lineage when it chose to go "Out side the box" and take it to Ducati after YEARS of Ducati/Fogerty Superbike dominance. It represents the best Honda could muster during that period, and for many including myself, that is enough to warrant extreme dedication. I think the bike is wonderful machine despite the fact that currently one can go out and "BUY" better performance off the shelf. Motorcycling passion is about more than owning the latest and greatest... as a matter of fact, I would venture to say that the philosophy of owning the latest and greatest is the furthest thing away from motorcycling passion that a person can exhibit

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by knockout &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think with the rules set as they are now, its a definite possibility that honda will release a new rc51. I would absolutely love it.

And honda, no more inline 4's please, go back to the v4's. Who wouldnt want a 600rr v4 or a 1000rr v4?</TD></TR></TABLE>

my dream is to walk out in the garage and see my old vfr engine stuffed in my 600rr. i could die a happy man.

v4
light bike
decent suspension

 

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

I don't think knowledgeable folks think that at all OP... I do think that the bike represents a period in Honda's lineage when it chose to go "Out side the box" and take it to Ducati after YEARS of Ducati/Fogerty Superbike dominance. It represents the best Honda could muster during that period, and for many including myself, that is enough to warrant extreme dedication. I think the bike is wonderful machine despite the fact that currently one can go out and "BUY" better performance off the shelf. Motorcycling passion is about more than owning the latest and greatest... as a matter of fact, I would venture to say that the philosophy of owning the latest and greatest is the furthest thing away from motorcycling passion that a person can exhibit</TD></TR></TABLE>

well said

 

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

I don't think knowledgeable folks think that at all OP... I do think that the bike represents a period in Honda's lineage when it chose to go "Out side the box" and take it to Ducati after YEARS of Ducati/Fogerty Superbike dominance. It represents the best Honda could muster during that period, and for many including myself, that is enough to warrant extreme dedication. I think the bike is wonderful machine despite the fact that currently one can go out and "BUY" better performance off the shelf. Motorcycling passion is about more than owning the latest and greatest... as a matter of fact, I would venture to say that the philosophy of owning the latest and greatest is the furthest thing away from motorcycling passion that a person can exhibit</TD></TR></TABLE>


I agree completely. I plan to keep my RC51 forever. It'll need some work here eventually especially if I decide to go ahead and race with it but I enjoy everything about the bike. It's not the best in anything but it puts a huge smile on my face and well... That makes it worth it. Next mod up - yoyodyne ball bearing slipper

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EngineNoO9 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Inline 4 liter bikes smash it like you're standing still on the straight. Modern 600's will beat it down the straight too. Where the RC51 strives is its stability in turns and its torque that any liter v-twin will have. It is heavy and takes some work to get dialed in but once set up it's a very capable bike. Biggest downside is from the factory the shock needs replacing. Brakes are very capable as are the stock forks. Like anything else everything can be improved with upgrades though. The RC51 motor does put out great torque and put down the most power out of the older v-twins of that era (999s, aprilia rsv1000r). You buy the bike cause you want a v-twin that has an incredible history behind it (Honda bitch slapping Ducati in WSBK with it) and well because it just kicks ***. I'd love if Honda released a 1200cc v-twin - RC61 type of bike. Most of the people I know who started out on twins absolutely love them. Lots of guys who primarily ran on i4's while learning can't get used to the v-twin.

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

I agree. And I need a new shock

 

I love my RC51, it has so much tourqe which is what makes it so much more fun to ride then the I4 bikes in my opinion, but like others stated, this bike is not the fastest thing out there. Its just a bike thats one of a kind thats not your ordinary bike, atleast not around here. Mostly what we have around here is Gixxers and hybusas stretched out 100 yards. I'm the only one in my area that owns an RC51 as far as I know. I never seen another one around here, so it makes you kind of stick out in a crowd if you know what I mean. Besides this bike is sex on two wheels and sounds sexy as hell.