Topic: RC51 or CBR1000RR

[Terry in Australia]

Anyhoo, I rode my magnificent RC51 today, and all I can say, is WOOHOO!!! What a fcuking beast! I'd just about convinced myself that I'd need to make a booking with my local chiropractor first, but as it turned out, the horrible riding position wasn't all that horrible, once out on the road. Don't get me wrong, it's still the most uncomfortable bike I own, but for the 70 miles I did today, as long as I got to stop and sit up straight every 30 minutes or so, I was fine. I don't know what's wrong with the stock seat though, there's way more pressure on your neck and wrists than there is on your butt.

All in all it was a great ride, and with the previously mentioned mods, this thing is seriously fast. 100 MPH comes up so quickly that you really have to be careful with your throttle hand, I could see my license disappearing as quickly as the cars were disappearing in my mirrors. I only hit the hard rev limiter once in second gear and it took me a moment to realise that there was nothing wrong, it's just that I've never seen a big twin that hits the 10200 RPM limit so quickly! Now if I can just find some 3 foot Ape Hangers and a King&Queen seat to fit it, I'll be stoked! Cheers, Terry.

[grcamna2]

Very nice Terry  How far away is a nice twisty 'track' for you to lean it way over ?

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks mate, only a couple of miles from where I took that pic there are some great twisties where someone with way more skill than I could really have some fun on an RC51, but I just contented myself in going around them faster than I have on any of my other bikes.

I also learned very quickly not to look at the speedo mid corner, it doesn't seem that fast until you look at the speedo, and it can give you a bit of a shock to see how fast you're actually going. Happy days! Cheers, Terry.

[SKTP]

And of course beware of bikes that have been stored for years without being run. Valve springs that have been held open in one position for years weaken and break, moisture inside engines causes acids that attack an engine's internals causing pistons to seize in bores and gaskets and seals dry out causing leaks. Coolant goes bad causing corrosion, seized water pumps and radiator blockages, hoses go hard and crack, tires go hard and crack, fuel tanks rust out from bad fuel, foam filters turn to dust that's sucked into carbs/throttle bodies, fork seals and rear shock seals go hard and leak, batteries go bad, etc etc.

If you can find that one middle aged anally retentive owner who rides his RC51 regularly for short distances to keep everything in order (but doesn't :baby" it either, that's not a good thing) and maintains it religiously then jump on it, and good luck! Cheers, Terry.    

Damn, Chris.  You really should have bought mine!  It was one of the black ones though!

I am not completely ruling out the black bikes. Ultimately mileage and condition will be the deciding factor...if I got a black one I think I would design a custom wrap...what did your go for again? How many miles? And yes, I should have bought it...but I am waiting until I put the CB back together again....because if I had an RC51 I fear the project would never be completed

[akabek]

 I am waiting until I put the CB back together again....because if I had an RC51 I fear the project would never be completed

No need to wait.  When the right bike comes around grab it.  Leave the building for rainy days or the off season.  When the weather is nice you should be out riding....

[754]

Dont worry ....the tickets will quickly bring  you back to SOHC WORLD...

[ken65]

The riding position does take a bit of getting used to on these type of bikes I've found. (I'm old and fat too).'
I have two sports oriented bikes and the more I take them out (not often) , the more comfy seem  to get.
So with that theory , 10 years from now I'll be cruising on them..  Enjoy you beast Terrence.

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, no worries Ken, if it was my only bike I guess I'd have to ride it more frequently, but like you, I've got lots of bikes to ride, all of them way more comfy. Cheers, Terry.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Anyhoo, I rode my magnificent RC51 today, and all I can say, is WOOHOO!!! What a fcuking beast! I'd just about convinced myself that I'd need to make a booking with my local chiropractor first, but as it turned out, the horrible riding position wasn't all that horrible, once out on the road. Don't get me wrong, it's still the most uncomfortable bike I own, but for the 70 miles I did today, as long as I got to stop and sit up straight every 30 minutes or so, I was fine. I don't know what's wrong with the stock seat though, there's way more pressure on your neck and wrists than there is on your butt.

All in all it was a great ride, and with the previously mentioned mods, this thing is seriously fast. 100 MPH comes up so quickly that you really have to be careful with your throttle hand, I could see my license disappearing as quickly as the cars were disappearing in my mirrors. I only hit the hard rev limiter once in second gear and it took me a moment to realise that there was nothing wrong, it's just that I've never seen a big twin that hits the 10200 RPM limit so quickly! Now if I can just find some 3 foot Ape Hangers and a King&Queen seat to fit it, I'll be stoked! Cheers, Terry.

So true about the wrists.  My wrists would go numb after 60-90 minutes of riding.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

And of course beware of bikes that have been stored for years without being run. Valve springs that have been held open in one position for years weaken and break, moisture inside engines causes acids that attack an engine's internals causing pistons to seize in bores and gaskets and seals dry out causing leaks. Coolant goes bad causing corrosion, seized water pumps and radiator blockages, hoses go hard and crack, tires go hard and crack, fuel tanks rust out from bad fuel, foam filters turn to dust that's sucked into carbs/throttle bodies, fork seals and rear shock seals go hard and leak, batteries go bad, etc etc.

If you can find that one middle aged anally retentive owner who rides his RC51 regularly for short distances to keep everything in order (but doesn't :baby" it either, that's not a good thing) and maintains it religiously then jump on it, and good luck! Cheers, Terry.    

Damn, Chris.  You really should have bought mine!  It was one of the black ones though!

I am not completely ruling out the black bikes. Ultimately mileage and condition will be the deciding factor...if I got a black one I think I would design a custom wrap...what did your go for again? How many miles? And yes, I should have bought it...but I am waiting until I put the CB back together again....because if I had an RC51 I fear the project would never be completed

Mine went for a combo trade -- the RC51 and my black 750 for a new Thruxton R.  It had about 7K miles.

[SKTP]

It had about 7K miles.

FuuuUUUUUUuuuuuuucccckkkkk I blew it

[SKTP]

Well I had the cash. Did all the research. Met the nicest owner ever. The bike had all the upgrades. The price was right....but after a test drive, I just didn't think I'd ever get use to the riding position and how my legs, balls and wrists felt. It was an impressive machine but it just didn't give me the feeling I thought I'd get. Going to save my money and use a little for some upgrades on the CB (mirrors, new front master). It was a beautiful machine. I can't believe I didn't buy it...but it just didn't speak to me after all of this. Great day regardless...I seriously cant believe I didn't buy it, but I'm ok with that....

[Terry in Australia]

Ha ha, you might prefer the CBR mate, give one of them a try and see what you think? I love my RC51 because I love big twins and the RC51 was the last HRC bike that mere mortals could own, but it is a race bike first, and has no-compromise race bike ergonomics. Cheers, Terry.

[simon#42]

Well I had the cash. Did all the research. Met the nicest owner ever. The bike had all the upgrades. The price was right....but after a test drive, I just didn't think I'd ever get use to the riding position and how my legs, balls and wrists felt. It was an impressive machine but it just didn't give me the feeling I thought I'd get. Going to save my money and use a little for some upgrades on the CB (mirrors, new front master). It was a beautiful machine. I can't believe I didn't buy it...but it just didn't speak to me after all of this. Great day regardless...I seriously cant believe I didn't buy it, but I'm ok with that....

i did try to tell you

[SKTP]

Well I had the cash. Did all the research. Met the nicest owner ever. The bike had all the upgrades. The price was right....but after a test drive, I just didn't think I'd ever get use to the riding position and how my legs, balls and wrists felt. It was an impressive machine but it just didn't give me the feeling I thought I'd get. Going to save my money and use a little for some upgrades on the CB (mirrors, new front master). It was a beautiful machine. I can't believe I didn't buy it...but it just didn't speak to me after all of this. Great day regardless...I seriously cant believe I didn't buy it, but I'm ok with that....

i did try to tell you

You did indeed...I'm very happy I finally rode one...It had Ohlin forks and rear shocks...I hit a pot hole and it felt like nothing...Took it on the freeway, the transmission was the smoothest I have ever experienced. Effortless...it really was an incredible machine...but yeah. It felt awful....I don't think my neck, back wrists, basically all joints could have taken it...I'm 6'3" and fit...but it felt liek work to drive instead of fun....at least for me

[akabek]

I used to get neck and shoulder pain after ride and what I realized is I kept my elbows locked for no reason with tensed my upper body.  Every time I caught myself tensing up I started bending my elbows until it became natural.  Now I do not have neck and shoulder pain after a ride.  At the start of every season I find the seat uncomfortable but that goes away with seat time.  If you got on the bike and simply did no like I get it.  That is how I feel when I sit on a cruiser.  Buy what puts a smile on your face.

[Terry in Australia]

Because I've got Cruisers too (Triumph Rocket III and Harley XLH1200) I find that the riding position, although manifestly comfortable compared to my RC51, is prone to hard shocks thru my spine when I hit a large bump and my rear shocks bottom out. With the RC51, there's more weight over the 'bars and less on my butt, and I didn't notice any butt pain at all. Cheers, Terry.  

[grcamna2]

I think I could ride most bikes if I was able to keep excersizing/stretching as I ride,which is what I do on my little bike;I've taken it out for long rides.
I do think '"seat time" to get accustomed to the position makes a Lot of difference too.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Glad you got to try it first.  It's not for everyone.  It wasn't for me anymore.  It's a performance bike and not much of a comfort bike.  My wrists would go numb after about 80-90 minutes but I'm older. 

If not a superbike, maybe a naked performance bike.

[SKTP]

It truly was the best RC51 I could have hoped for and an incredible machine. But yes, instantly my wrists felt like my entire body weight was folding them over backwards. Maybe being 6'3" was part of it...I loved my 2003 Ducati Monster 800, when it worked and when I was not pouring money into keeping it working. I had hoped this would give me that feeling again with no timing belts and Japanese logic (just opening the headlight bucket with like solving a rubic's cube on the Ducati)...I still can't believe how much power twisting the throttle provided (it was a 1/4 turn throttle too)...but it just felt awful body-wise.

[Steve_K]

When talking about brutal riding positions, I wonder, how would they compare to a Ducati 916, or a 86 GSXR 750.  I have rode and owned different sport bikes and the worst for me was TL1000S Suzuki and my 86 GIXXER.  Is that RC worse than those bikes.  (the TL and the GIXXER are much fun when the road twists)(VFR and the CBR and ZX were fair bikes on the road, some even comfortable, thinking VFR)
Steve

[akabek]

It truly was the best RC51 I could have hoped for and an incredible machine. But yes, instantly my wrists felt like my entire body weight was folding them over backwards. Maybe being 6'3" was part of it...I loved my 2003 Ducati Monster 800, when it worked and when I was not pouring money into keeping it working. I had hoped this would give me that feeling again with no timing belts and Japanese logic (just opening the headlight bucket with like solving a rubic's cube on the Ducati)...I still can't believe how much power twisting the throttle provided (it was a 1/4 turn throttle too)...but it just felt awful body-wise.

Just curious, what was the price?

[SKTP]

I worked out a deal with the seller. I don't want to publicly reveal that price...but here's what the bike was...it was really awesome. Sad it didn't work for me.

14,900 miles on it

Clean, Beautiful, accedient free 2002 SP2 with the following upgrades:

- Sato carbon fiber exhaust, super light weight and Sato titanium mounts
- Sato Rear sets, foot pegs
- Olins HO 204 shock jus had full rebuild at STM
- Olins FG832 full forks just had full rebuild at STM
- Under side rear seat fairing and integrated LED lights
- Scotts Steering Damper
- Zero GravityWindshield
- Marchisini magnesium wheels
- Kyle Racing rear shock suspension link and extended kick stand
- AFAM sprocket and 520 HD high performance chain set
- Speed healer for calibrating the speedo
- Dunlop 211's
- Power Commander
- DP brake pads
- Spark plugs just changed

I have taken special care of this bike using only the best synthetics oil and Honda parts for maintainance.

Also included is an extra rear tail fairing door with COLIN EDWARDS signature and all stock parts except exhaust and wheels. Easily 7000 worth of performance stuff alone.
Stock items included are Items like rear fender, rear passenger seat, lights, emissions and more.

Sold As Is with No implied Warranty. I reserve the right to sell this bike locally at a buy it now price or above however if EBay buy it now option is triggered the sale is final.

All shipping and handling is up to the buyer.

[akabek]

I am just curious what his asking price was.  It doesn't look like the ebay list is there any more so I doubt anyone would know where the bike is at this point.

[Terry in Australia]

When talking about brutal riding positions, I wonder, how would they compare to a Ducati 916, or a 86 GSXR 750.  I have rode and owned different sport bikes and the worst for me was TL1000S Suzuki and my 86 GIXXER.  Is that RC worse than those bikes.  (the TL and the GIXXER are much fun when the road twists)(VFR and the CBR and ZX were fair bikes on the road, some even comfortable, thinking VFR)
Steve

Well as a new RC51 owner who's actually ridden an RC51 recently I can say that having ridden both a 916 and an early GSXR750, the riding position is no better, and no worse. It is typical of a bike that was designed for the race track, but needed to be sold as a very unique sportsbike so Honda could enter it into superbike races. No worse than an RC30 or RC45, which were both wonderful bikes, the RC51 just had a bit more grunt to win against the Ducati's.

I'm an inch taller than SKTP, and I dare say quite a bit older and fatter, but for me, once I got used to the seating position, it wasn't too bad, and the "good" easily eclipsed the bad. I am a crap rider, but I still love riding fast, and it's at speed that you really appreciate the RC51. The handling issues that Simon mentioned have been sorted on mine, and the performance (which wasn't lacking in stock form) has been increased exponentially with the installation of some big buck mods to the intake and exhaust, and (possibly) some engine work too. I certainly won't be riding mine every day, but every now and then it'll be a great alternative to my other bikes. Cheers, Terry.