Topic: RC51 or CBR1000RR

[SKTP]

I guess really, I will need to ride them both...but if you have to choose between a RC51 SP2 or a CBR1000RR (2008 or newer)

What would you choose...I know there are riding position issues for distance with the RC51...but I don't care about that...thinking more of a dependability standpoint...There don't seem to be many issues with either that I can find online...

Price is also a factor...it would seem an RC51 is a couple thousand less than the CBR...but maybe maintenance of the older bike will level the price difference?

Any thoughts appreciated.

I miss modern brake and insane throttle response....

[MikeSimon]

Never much cared for the RC51...I guess I am biased because I own two Ducati Twins...
To me, Honda is about inline Fours (or Sixes). They should have never ventured off into that Twin segment.
Same dead end as the CXes. Even the V-Fours could never excite me much. Although, ever so often, I regret selling the VF1000R 

[jaguar]

The RC51 is a special bike with an interesting story.
The CBR is just another random sports bike.

[700504]

I guess really, I will need to ride them both...but if you have to choose between a RC51 SP2 or a CBR1000RR (2008 or newer)

What would you choose...I know there are riding position issues for distance with the RC51...but I don't care about that...thinking more of a dependability standpoint...There don't seem to be many issues with either that I can find online...

Price is also a factor...it would seem an RC51 is a couple thousand less than the CBR...but maybe maintenance of the older bike will level the price difference?

Any thoughts appreciated.

I miss modern brake and insane throttle response....

That's some kind of wizardry man! I was just looking at both on craigslist, and popped over here and saw this! I'm leaning toward the rc51.

[ekpent]

 Are parts equally easy to get for both and is service more difficult on either one ?

[SKTP]

Are parts equally easy to get for both and is service more difficult on either one ?

This is what I need to know....I had a Ducati Monster and even changing the headlight was difficult (there was this really stupid spring system that was really some sort of patience test...man was it stupid)...maybe I will call some shops and see what they think...I will start with APE

[SKTP]

I guess really, I will need to ride them both...but if you have to choose between a RC51 SP2 or a CBR1000RR (2008 or newer)

What would you choose...I know there are riding position issues for distance with the RC51...but I don't care about that...thinking more of a dependability standpoint...There don't seem to be many issues with either that I can find online...

Price is also a factor...it would seem an RC51 is a couple thousand less than the CBR...but maybe maintenance of the older bike will level the price difference?

Any thoughts appreciated.

I miss modern brake and insane throttle response....

That's some kind of wizardry man! I was just looking at both on craigslist, and popped over here and saw this! I'm leaning toward the rc51.

I am always looks for both...I too am leaning towards the RC51...I am 6'3" that will be a factor...I sometimes search for 86-89 GSXR 1100s but I already have the CB and I want good brakes and handling...I am not rich...the Ducati I had was too expensive to maintain (timing belt maintenance, a diode dee in the engine cases failed etc...)

[seanbarney41]

I picked up an 86 Slabbie 750 last fall...original plastics are proving very difficult to acquire.  Very excited to ride it though.  RC51 is gorgeous and I would love to have any V-twin sportbike.  CBR's seem like just another UJM and no idea what Mike Simon is talking about as V4 engines are just plain awsome.

[MikeSimon]

and no idea what Mike Simon is talking about as V4 engines are just plain awsome.

...just my personal opinion from owning one for a while and riding a few different ones over the years. They are not as smooth as an inline four and do not have the character of an Italian L-twin.

[jaguar]

I also think that the time to buy an RC51 is right now.
They will go up.

[FunJimmy]

Never much cared for the RC51...I guess I am biased because I own two Ducati Twins...
To me, Honda is about inline Fours (or Sixes). They should have never ventured off into that Twin segment.
Same dead end as the CXes. Even the V-Fours could never excite me much. Although, ever so often, I regret selling the VF1000R

You are sorely mistaken. The RC51 twin is an outstanding engine. You might remember the RC51 dethroning Ducati, right? It's said that Honda lost money on every RC51 sold due to the manufacturing costs to build it. No engineering corners where cut and gear driven cams are a testament to the commitment Honda had in this architecture. More torque than my '06 999R and a he!! of a lot more durable too. I used my 2001 RC51 as a track bike and a sport touring bike. Some adjustable clipons and a Corbin seat was all I needed to put 30000KM on that bike. Be carful if your purchase one though. They're deceptively fast. Before you even realize it you'll be travelling at 150/MPH. Pulls like a freight train. My only regret was selling it.

If Honda used the RC51 engine in another bike like as asphalt adventure bike I'd be first in line to purchase it.

[MikeSimon]

Your opinion...

[FunJimmy]

Your opinion...

Based on experience gleaned from over 30K on both an RC51 and a Ducati 999R
You didn't elaborate on your RC51 experience. Any?

[MikeSimon]

Yes, I rode it a couple of times on the track at Mid Ohio. Enough for me. Let's just say, you are a fan of the RC51 and I am not!

[SKTP]

FunJimmy, did you have any abnormal issues with your RC51? I have heard the SP1 is to be avoided with out mods (cooling issues) but the SP2 seems to have sorted all that out. Unless I win the lottery, I am never going Ducati ever again...

[FunJimmy]

Yes, I rode it a couple of times on the track at Mid Ohio. Enough for me. Let's just say, you are a fan of the RC51 and I am not!

That's fair enough. I will say that the Ducati 999R out handles the RC51 hands down.
It's so nimble and thin through the waist. Pure sex!
Cheers

FunJimmy, did you have any abnormal issues with your RC51? I have heard the SP1 is to be avoided with out mods (cooling issues) but the SP2 seems to have sorted all that out. Unless I win the lottery, I am never going Ducati ever again...

Nope. Not a single issue. Rode several times in central Oregon and California too.
Gas, tires, brake pads and off I went.

[SKTP]

how tall are you"

[FunJimmy]

how tall are you"

5'11"

[SKTP]

Cool...I am 6'3"

http://www.fireblades.org/forums/honda-rc51/35572-rc51-compatible-for-63-rider.html

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Chris,

You should not be cramped on a RC51.  You also have a little more youth on your side to muscle it around.  Your wrists will just be a wee bit numb after 90 minutes of riding.

The RC51 was a HRC homologation bike built for Honda to dethrone Ducati in World Superbike (and AMA).  It had all kinds of trick parts.  It is more of a racebike than a CBR1000RR.  It has SO MUCH more torque and the brakes do not even compare (hands down the best stock brakes I've experienced).  The CBR is engineered more for mass production.  The RC51 has a storied race history, too.  Joey Dunlop, Miguel Duhammel, Nicky Hayden, Colin Edwards, Ben Bostrom, to name a few. 






In my opinion, the RC51 will demand more out of you for street riding.  IT is not a casual cruiser or a bike for guys getting older like me (hence why I sold mine).  It is a lethal track weapon and turns better when you go faster.  The CBR is more civilized on the street but BORING or generic by comparison.  The RC51 will always be coveted and will retain its value.  I wish I had space and unlimited funds to keep mine.  If you are leaning toward a CBR, there are MANY other makes that are better.  That said, the RC51 is way more comfortable to ride than the even sexier Ducati 916!

Pure HRC SEX

[GroovieGhoulie]

Buddy of mine was into big-bore sportbikes about 10 years ago, and he was big time Honda guy.  Loved fours, had a Blackbird at the time, was considering a CBR1000RR and was "meh" about the twins. 

Another friend had just got a RC51 and offered him a ride, and he said "sure."  He took it out "around the block" and intended to keep the speeds low, so he didn't take any gear, (dumb, but whatever).  He hammered it up an onramp and came down the next exit, and he said it felt like he was going maybe 80mph, but when he looked down, he was going over 140!  With no gear, he quickly backed down and got home.  Said it scared the pants off him because he was used to the torque curve of a four where the sensation of acceleration rose as the revs rose, but the RC51 was "like a diesel" and just pulled with a huge flat torque curve, going fast as hell, but "feeling" slow.  He was a fan after that.

I like the RC51, but against a 2008+ CBR?  Those are so hideous to me.  Now a 2007?  That would be tough.

[grcamna2]

subscribed

[Steve_K]

I like big twins.  I had a 96 900SS Ducati that came off corners well.   Friend had a TL1000 Suzuki that was even better.
The SV650 was a real peach,  liked it more than the 900SS.  The best engine for my style of street riding was my SV1000S.  That never was in the wrong gear!!  Was it faster than a Kawi 1000-4 in the 2000, no,  but the sound of the Yoshi canisters was GREAT!.   Everyone should should have or ride a big twin sometime.
Steve

[nvr2old]

I've ridden a Ducati 916 a few times, and it was one of those dream moments, until after 20 miles it turned into a nightmare because it was the most uncomfortable bike I've ever ridden.  Fast?  Yes.  Handled great?  Yes.  One of the prettiest bikes I've ever thrown a leg over?  Yes, yes, yes, yes..but comfortable?  No.  My best friend has an '04 RC51 and I've ridden it, too, many times, and it's the most fun bike I've ever ridden..but then again, I'm a Honda guy and may be a bit biased.  The power, at any speed, in any gear is amazing, the handling is crisp, and the booming sound of it never fails to raise the hair on my arms.  God, I love riding that thing.  It's a brutal, demanding bike.  It hates to trundle around town.  The CBR would be the opposite of all that, I think.  Very friendly, very smooth, very fast, but nowhere near the animalistic ways of the RC.  It would not be my choice for a daily rider, but on those days when you just want to tear up some corners and maybe anger the village people with it's bark..oh yeah..

[simon#42]

both are nice bikes but i would go for an 08 blade every time . people are talking about all the power an rc51 makes but a blade turns out over 40hp more .
is a much better balanced bike and is much more comfortable .