Topic: RC51 or CBR1000RR

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

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..

Very accurate assessment.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

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 .

With the RC51, it's not as much about the outright horsepower as the torque and power delivery. 

Is the 08 CBR a more civilized bike? Hell yes.

Maybe the discussion should shift to RC30 vs. RC51 vs. CBR.

[Terry in Australia]

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

They did Jimmy, the XLV1000 Varadero. It's based on the VTR1000F road bike, the Poor Man's RC51. The RC51 was the hard nosed racer that wiped the floor with Ducati V twins, (that only won races because of the 33% capacity increase they were allowed over Japanese inline fours) whereas the VTR1000F "Firestorm" was the softer, more comfortable road version.

It wasn't as powerful as the SP1 (or SP2) and the one "Achilles Heel" is that Honda cheaped out and replaced the SP1's gear driven cams with chains, and of course, the factory cam chain tensioners are prone to failing, so there are lots of reasonably low mileage VTR1000's with damaged valves, but once fitted with a set of APE's manual tensioners, they are pretty much bullet proof, and much easier to live with than anything from Ducati.

I bought a VTR1000F cheap because of the cam chain issue, and while I loved the engine, the handling, etc, the riding position doesn't suit, in fact I think it's more "racer oriented" than my VFR750.



I found a crashed 2006 model VTR1000 and am in the process of turning it into a more comfortable "Daily Rider". I've fitted superbike bars and am in the process of lowering the footpegs an inch or two, and I think it'll be a great bike to ride, all the benefits of that great V twin engine, with powerful brakes and excellent handling, without having to ride like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I sold my standard VTR1000 to a mate, who loves it.



The Varadero isn't the prettiest bike around, but would be a great adventure bike, especially with that big V twin (well, it's an "L" twin actually) and if you want more power, an RC51 engine would probably bolt right in! Cheers, Terry.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

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

They did Jimmy, the XLV1000 Varadero. It's based on the VTR1000F road bike, the Poor Man's RC51. The RC51 was the hard nosed racer that wiped the floor with Ducati V twins, (that only won races because of the 33% capacity increase they were allowed over Japanese inline fours) whereas the VTR1000F "Firestorm" was the softer, more comfortable road version.

It wasn't as powerful as the SP1 (or SP2) and the one "Achilles Heel" is that Honda cheaped out and replaced the SP1's gear driven cams with chains, and of course, the factory cam chain tensioners are prone to failing, so there are lots of reasonably low mileage VTR1000's with damaged valves, but once fitted with a set of APE's manual tensioners, they are pretty much bullet proof, and much easier to live with than anything from Ducati.

I bought a VTR1000F cheap because of the cam chain issue, and while I loved the engine, the handling, etc, the riding position doesn't suit, in fact I think it's more "racer oriented" than my VFR750.



I found a crashed 2006 model VTR1000 and am in the process of turning it into a more comfortable "Daily Rider". I've fitted superbike bars and am in the process of lowering the footpegs an inch or two, and I think it'll be a great bike to ride, all the benefits of that great V twin engine, with powerful brakes and excellent handling, without having to ride like the Hunchback of Notre Dame. I sold my standard VTR1000 to a mate, who loves it.



The Varadero isn't the prettiest bike around, but would be a great adventure bike, especially with that big V twin (well, it's an "L" twin actually) and if you want more power, an RC51 engine would probably bolt right in! Cheers, Terry.

Terry,
We didn't get the Varadero in the States.  In fact, the US was late in general to the adventure bike genre.  That isn't so pretty, but I bet it pulls -- even more so if you bolted in a SP2 engine!

[Terry in Australia]

Yeah, it didn't sell here in big numbers either mate, Suzuki's VStrom's were much prettier and if you can't afford a BMW R1200GS, are a great entry into the adventure bike scene. Cheers, Terry.

[akabek]

I owned a 2000 RC51 back in 2009 -2011.  From Toronto I rode it down to the tail of the Dragon and the only complaint I had was the heat coming from the radiators right below my knees.  I was a great bike and I did find it comfortable for touring.  For city riding I really appreciated the torque of the vtwin.  You don't have to wind it out to get it to go.  The downside of city riding it that is does not like to go slow.  I have never owned a CBR1000 but I did own a 08 CBR600 and a 09CBR600 for the track.  For city riding I still prefer the vtwin.  An inline 4 you have to wind out to get it to go.  I sold the RC51 and the track bike and bought a 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory followed by 2012 Aprilia Tuono.  Both bikes where a V4 that sounded great, felt nimble and were street weapons.  I sold both bikes and now I currently have a 2001 RC51.  I read the SP2 is a preferred bike but I have never had a problem with the SP1.  For city riding I really do like the vtwin for the low end torque where I don't have to wind out the bike to get it to go.

[Terry in Australia]

Yep, I bought a spare engine for my VTR1000 from a guy on ebay, and he had a very low mileage RC51 covered in several years worth of dust in his garage. I must contact him and see if he's ready to sell it yet, even if I didn't ride it much, it'd be nice to have one in my "collection".

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I owned a 2000 RC51 back in 2009 -2011.  From Toronto I rode it down to the tail of the Dragon and the only complaint I had was the heat coming from the radiators right below my knees.  I was a great bike and I did find it comfortable for touring.  For city riding I really appreciated the torque of the vtwin.  You don't have to wind it out to get it to go.  The downside of city riding it that is does not like to go slow.  I have never owned a CBR1000 but I did own a 08 CBR600 and a 09CBR600 for the track.  For city riding I still prefer the vtwin.  An inline 4 you have to wind out to get it to go.  I sold the RC51 and the track bike and bought a 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory followed by 2012 Aprilia Tuono.  Both bikes where a V4 that sounded great, felt nimble and were street weapons.  I sold both bikes and now I currently have a 2001 RC51.  I read the SP2 is a preferred bike but I have never had a problem with the SP1.  For city riding I really do like the vtwin for the low end torque where I don't have to wind out the bike to get it to go.

I found the RC51 engine to be great at all speeds, but in traffic, those radiators will start baking your knees.  It also turns much better at speed.

[bwaller]

That RC51 was one bike that turned my head. My son bought one so I was in heaven for awhile. It is damn hard to ride that machine and avoid attention of the man when you're doing a million mph in 3rd.

[754]

I owned a 2000 RC51 back in 2009 -2011.  From Toronto I rode it down to the tail of the Dragon and the only complaint I had was the heat coming from the radiators right below my knees.  I was a great bike and I did find it comfortable for touring.  For city riding I really appreciated the torque of the vtwin.  You don't have to wind it out to get it to go.  The downside of city riding it that is does not like to go slow.  I have never owned a CBR1000 but I did own a 08 CBR600 and a 09CBR600 for the track.  For city riding I still prefer the vtwin.  An inline 4 you have to wind out to get it to go.  I sold the RC51 and the track bike and bought a 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory
followed by 2012 Aprilia Tuono.  Both bikes where a V4 that sounded great, felt nimble and were street weapons.  I sold both bikes and now I currently have a 2001 RC51.  I read the
SP2 is a preferred bike but I have never had a problem with the SP1.  For city riding I really do like the vtwin for the low end torque where I don't have to wind out the bike to get it to go.

[/q.....That in a nutshell explains why vtwins remain popular..a fact that escapes many 4 cyl owners. I find torque far more useful than hp....and it seems to get you less tickets.
Also the bigger torque seems to partly compensate for lower hp to a certain extent.

[akabek]

I have to agree the torque is a winner for street riding.  The Aprilia's would destroy the RC51 all the way around but you can't take advantage of the performance unless you are at a track.  With the RC51 you can grab a handful and it just goes.  No waiting to hit the power band.  Plus considering the age it still looks great in my books and people still comment on it.  You will also get noticed by other drivers because of the sound.  I pulled the carbon fiber cans off and put the stock pipes back on.  It was too loud with the aftermarket pipes....or maybe I am just getting old.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I owned a 2000 RC51 back in 2009 -2011.  From Toronto I rode it down to the tail of the Dragon and the only complaint I had was the heat coming from the radiators right below my knees.  I was a great bike and I did find it comfortable for touring.  For city riding I really appreciated the torque of the vtwin.  You don't have to wind it out to get it to go.  The downside of city riding it that is does not like to go slow.  I have never owned a CBR1000 but I did own a 08 CBR600 and a 09CBR600 for the track.  For city riding I still prefer the vtwin.  An inline 4 you have to wind out to get it to go.  I sold the RC51 and the track bike and bought a 2010 Aprilia RSV4 Factory
followed by 2012 Aprilia Tuono.  Both bikes where a V4 that sounded great, felt nimble and were street weapons.  I sold both bikes and now I currently have a 2001 RC51.  I read the
SP2 is a preferred bike but I have never had a problem with the SP1.  For city riding I really do like the vtwin for the low end torque where I don't have to wind out the bike to get it to go.

[/q.....That in a nutshell explains why vtwins remain popular..a fact that escapes many 4 cyl owners. I find torque far more useful than hp....and it seems to get you less tickets.
Also the bigger torque seems to partly compensate for lower hp to a certain extent.

This is why I like Yamaha's FZ-09/MT-09/FJ-09/XSR 900 platform so much.  It's the best of both worlds.  115 hp and 67 ft. lbs in a 414 lb. WET bike.  Nimble, lightweight, flickable.  Straight, linear torque for days and plenty of power in the street range and beyond. 

[SKTP]

Thank you for all of this insight...I think the RC wins for me...I need to go out and test drive both to really know. A 1998 CBR900RR in very good condition might have fallen in my lap for a good price...I am going test drive that (I want a bike that makes me feel somewhat safe on LA's 405 commuting)...but I miss my Ducati Monster's V-twin....I need to test drive an RC51 stat!

[Terry in Australia]

Yep, get that RC51 mate, you won't be disappointed, and as opposed to the run of the mill CBR's, it's also an appreciating asset. Cheers, Terry.

[RAFster122s]

Look up either Cycle World, Motorcycle Classics, or similar's articles on the RC51. Or it was the CBX article where they talked about the CBR900RR I think it was...comparing both on the track. The CBX revolutionary enough to really tilt the scales to it.  The RC51 is a different beast altogether than the CBR900RR. 
You could get the CBR900RR and keep it a while, make some improvements and flip it for an RC51 later.
If it is a great deal that fell into your lap then save the difference and be protective of that fund to build it up and make the acquisition easier later. I know it is hard to stop life's unexpected of hitting the discretionary funds. Gotta have pad in the budget and savings to really account for either. Not to mention have saved enough for weathering a job loss without selling everything or going broke trying to make ends meet.

David

[scunny]

stop the truck. ^^^^^^ above we have sense, what's that got to do with motorcycle ownership.

[Terry in Australia]

Exactly right, my dear S#$%*horpe, if common sense had anything to do with motorcycle ownership, I wouldn't own 13!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Thank you for all of this insight...I think the RC wins for me...I need to go out and test drive both to really know. A 1998 CBR900RR in very good condition might have fallen in my lap for a good price...I am going test drive that (I want a bike that makes me feel somewhat safe on LA's 405 commuting)...but I miss my Ducati Monster's V-twin....I need to test drive an RC51 stat!

Damn, Chris.  You should have just bought mine!  I would have preferred that to trading her in for the Thruxton R.

[RAFster122s]

More fuel...
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/rc51-vs-999r

for the flames???   

[FunJimmy]

Go get one!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

More fuel...
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/rc51-vs-999r

for the flames???   

Nice article.  It captures the character of the RC51 freight train pulling your arms from their sockets.  Good suggested mods, too, but they forgot the Ohlins shock, too.

[akabek]

They did suggest an Ohlins shock in the article.  You may have missed it because they spelled it - hlins.

Kudos to you Jimmy if that is you at a track day.  I bought my first RC51 with the plans of using it for a track bike but it had low mileage in mint condition so I opted for a 09 CBR600 dedicated track bike.

[innovativems]

I had a built track 06 1000 and now have a built track 03 sp2.  They are so night and day.  If I only could pick one it would be the rc.  It's so different but damn it handles!   I miss the sreaning power of the rr but the sound, torque and handling definitely make up for it


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[jag767]

A little late to comment, but torque for the win! Honestly, the grunt factor for daily riding at least I find makes for a much better ride. No need to always wind it out to get a smile.

[innovativems]

I second the torque.  Add that to the sound of the rc.  It's unlike anything else out there


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