I'm new to motorcycles, took the MSF course and got the license last year. I actually didn't get to finish the MSF course due to a death in the family, and ended up testing at the license station on a borrowed 1995 CBR900. I rode it all last season, racked up about 4500 miles, and feel pretty good on it, but still have great respect for the power that bike produces, and am still wary of unleashing it. Anyway, I've always been a fan of the RC bikes, and the RC51 is just drop dead gorgeous and has a bad ass sound like no other. Am I nuts for looking to buy one?

Oh yeah, name's Eric, long time lurker here, finally registered and have a real reason to post. Thanks.

Welcome Eric.
No, you're not nuts for wanting to buy one.
We all had various reasons we wanted to own one.

I myself enjoy mine because it's more visceral to me than the more sanitized bikes these days.
More late 60s muscle car than 21st century supercar.

I love SBK and therefore feel the need to fill my garage with streetversions and twins are where my heart truly lies, they aren't the "fastest" bike out there but they are a bit more rare, hold some racing heritage, and have a deep character most jap I4's lack.

IT sounds like you appreciate and respect a bikes potential and power so i'd say buy one. start off slow, understand it, and learn to "feel" it and be able to know how it will react to certain situations on the street....after you do that go hit some twisties. (as with any bike, i recommend a steering damper as a necessary first mod, prevents those infamous tank slappers) welcome to the forum, eric.

they aren't the "fastest" bike out there but they are a bit more rare, hold some racing heritage, and have a deep character most jap I4's lack.

(as with any bike, i recommend a steering damper as a necessary first mod, prevents those infamous tank slappers) welcome to the forum, eric.

Well, since I'm nowhere near being the fastest rider, not having the fastest bike is just fine. I know it's way more bike than I'll ever need or really be able to get the full potential from, but as I said, it's just one of those things that I can't get off my mind.

Where would one look for a steering damper? Any brands that are preferable? I don't think the CBR900 I rode last summer had one. I know how important they are for trucks, and can't imagine getting the equivalent of "death wobble" on a motorcycle, which I assume is the "tank slapper" mentioned earlier? What conditions bring about a "tank slapper"? Is it more a function of the bike condition, road condition, speed?

Well, since I'm nowhere near being the fastest rider, not having the fastest bike is just fine. I know it's way more bike than I'll ever need or really be able to get the full potential from, but as I said, it's just one of those things that I can't get off my mind.

Where would one look for a steering damper? Any brands that are preferable? I don't think the CBR900 I rode last summer had one. I know how important they are for trucks, and can't imagine getting the equivalent of "death wobble" on a motorcycle, which I assume is the "tank slapper" mentioned earlier? What conditions bring about a "tank slapper"? Is it more a function of the bike condition, road condition, speed?

not trying to start a war but i would save the money on the steering dampner and invest it in a riding school. Not your basic msf school but something like the schwantz school or california superbike school. Now those 2 are very exspensive but there are other alternatives out there. Even your basic track day will teach you more about you and your bike than years on the street. The rc51 has one of the most planted front ends of any bike i have ever ridden. A dampner is simply not needed for this bike except for the hard core racer etc. My forks are probably years over due for a sevice and i have never had shimmy or shake out of that front end that you wouldnt still get with the dampner. just an opinion

not trying to start a war but i would save the money on the steering dampner and invest it in a riding school. Not your basic msf school but something like the schwantz school or california superbike school. Now those 2 are very exspensive but there are other alternatives out there. Even your basic track day will teach you more about you and your bike than years on the street. The rc51 has one of the most planted front ends of any bike i have ever ridden. A dampner is simply not needed for this bike except for the hard core racer etc. My forks are probably years over due for a sevice and i have never had shimmy or shake out of that front end that you wouldnt still get with the dampner. just an opinion

That's actually a very good point, and was something I was going to inquire elsewhere on this forum. Rider training is something I've been interested in and both Mid Ohio and Nelson Ledges here in Ohio have track days, but I'm still so new to it all I'm afraid I would just be in the way at a track day. There are some training classes available at Mid Ohio, but even for them, I don't think my skill level is up to the "prerequisites" of the class. I just don't know how to get out of the extreme newbie state to a level I can build on. I've been providing 4x4 training in both driving technique and recovery operations for quite some time, but I got lots of that training in the military, and have been doing it on my own for many years. Self teaching those skills is much less hazardous if you screw it up I think than motorcycle riding.

Also good to hear about the stable platform of the RC. The CBR900 I rode last season did not have a steering damper (went to check this morning). I never felt a need for one, but then I was just putting around town.

Welcome aboard Eric, this is a great forum. It is full of great threads and the guys here always are always able to answer my questions. Good luck in your search/purchase.

i bought mine with a hyperpro damper and swapped for a rotary GPR, i cannot attest to the stability of the RC without one. They've saved me in the past so im a firm believer in them, and just help keep that front end stable when riding hard. I don't doubt screamincheif though, its a great bike and wouldn't surprise me if the bike was just as stable without one. I also agree on the riding school if they are available near you, but they can be very expensive.
If you cant afford one of these schools, at least do some reading, figure out techniques and so on. There was a pretty good show shown in Britain recently called superbike school consisting of 6 episodes and taught by the CSS. A lot of good basic rider info in there. Just take it slow and have fun.

That's actually a very good point, and was something I was going to inquire elsewhere on this forum. Rider training is something I've been interested in and both Mid Ohio and Nelson Ledges here in Ohio have track days, but I'm still so new to it all I'm afraid I would just be in the way at a track day. There are some training classes available at Mid Ohio, but even for them, I don't think my skill level is up to the "prerequisites" of the class. I just don't know how to get out of the extreme newbie state to a level I can build on. I've been providing 4x4 training in both driving technique and recovery operations for quite some time, but I got lots of that training in the military, and have been doing it on my own for many years. Self teaching those skills is much less hazardous if you screw it up I think than motorcycle riding.

Also good to hear about the stable platform of the RC. The CBR900 I rode last season did not have a steering damper (went to check this morning). I never felt a need for one, but then I was just putting around town.

Hey dont sweat being a newbie! everyone starts somewhere. Max Biaggi didnt even ride a motorcyle until he was 18 and hes now a 4 time world champion! The schools welcome newbies with open arms and dont be surprised if your faster than all your buds who have many years riding on the street after just 1 class. The teachers almost rather you have no experiance so they dont have to break your bad habbits! Check out Keith Codes books A Twist of The Wrist volumes 1 and 2 to get a start on the actual dynamics of how a motorcycle really works. My 1st bike was an FZR 1000 that definatly needed a steering dampner. Talk about a learning curve

Tanks slappers (or head shakes) are usually caused by gripping the bars too tightly.
The front end isn't allowed to self-stabilize and your steering inputs (from gripping too tightly) induce additional forces that cause it to build in amplitude (i.e. positive feedback).

What can start the front end start to head shake can be several things.
You may hit a road obstacle at an angle, or suspension adjustments that decrease the trail too much (and lessen self-stabilization), or front end returning to the pavement at a oblique angle (as in from a wheelie or lifting over a rise under heavy acceleration).
Usually, the font end will self-center itself, but if the bars are gripped to tightly the natural oscillations are not allowed to damp out, but are reinforced.

The RC51 may need a steering damper if the suspension has been tweaked to quicken the steering, as in raising the forks in the triple-clamps and/or raising the rear of the bike using shims or shock length adjuster to cause a reduction in trail.
It quickens the steering at the expense of stability.

Hey dont sweat being a newbie! everyone starts somewhere. Max Biaggi didnt even ride a motorcyle until he was 18 and hes now a 4 time world champion! The schools welcome newbies with open arms and dont be surprised if your faster than all your buds who have many years riding on the street after just 1 class. The teachers almost rather you have no experiance so they dont have to break your bad habbits! Check out Keith Codes books A Twist of The Wrist volumes 1 and 2 to get a start on the actual dynamics of how a motorcycle really works. My 1st bike was an FZR 1000 that definatly needed a steering dampner. Talk about a learning curve

I ordered those 2 books from the library today, can't wait to get into them! That makes sense about the bad habits, I remember my PMI on Parris Island, he told us that the recruits that had never shot a gun before would score better on the range than those that thought they knew and didn't pay attention to the instruction. He was 95% right. I know I have a bad habit of gripping the bars too tightly and had been making a conscious effort to ease up last season. I know because my hands would be sore after a ride and I remember this being a point made at the MSF course.

We have all at one time been there...feeling like Popeye after a days ride:D

In time you will learn the better rides are where you are more relaxed no matter what speed you are turning. Just do yourself a favor and keep the agressive street riding for the "back country" or the track.

Always! Always wear your gear....it will save you more than hurt you so the statistics say. I know I am a firm believer no matter how short the trip is.

Ride safe.

I also am going to look for the book "Total Control" The library didn't have it in their system, but Amazon has it, going to check B&N tomorrow. Has anyone here read it? It got good reviews on Amazon, but I have a feeling places like Amazon only allow the good reviews to get posted.

We have all at one time been there...feeling like Popeye after a days ride:D

In time you will learn the better rides are where you are more relaxed no matter what speed you are turning. Just do yourself a favor and keep the agressive street riding for the "back country" or the track.

Always! Always wear your gear....it will save you more than hurt you so the statistics say. I know I am a firm believer no matter how short the trip is.

Ride safe.

I totally agree, I can't even take my mountain bike out for a spin around the block without a helmet and not feel weird. I never fully understood what people meant about "everyone else, not you" untill I got on the road myself. I'm all about improving my own skill on the bike and I'm glad I got into this later in life than when I was a dumb kid. I can see how so many people get carried away on the street.

Tanks slappers (or head shakes) are usually caused by gripping the bars too tightly.
The front end isn't allowed to self-stabilize and your steering inputs (from gripping too tightly) induce additional forces that cause it to build in amplitude (i.e. positive feedback).

What can start the front end start to head shake can be several things.
You may hit a road obstacle at an angle, or suspension adjustments that decrease the trail too much (and lessen self-stabilization), or front end returning to the pavement at a oblique angle (as in from a wheelie or lifting over a rise under heavy acceleration).
Usually, the font end will self-center itself, but if the bars are gripped to tightly the natural oscillations are not allowed to damp out, but are reinforced.

The RC51 may need a steering damper if the suspension has been tweaked to quicken the steering, as in raising the forks in the triple-clamps and/or raising the rear of the bike using shims or shock length adjuster to cause a reduction in trail.
It quickens the steering at the expense of stability.

Hello Sbbsailor! I have been told that you ca help me on this. :rolleyes:
I am looking to swap my track bike for a track rc51. The bike have an Ohlins shock and a rear shock linkage to raise the rear. In the sale I have the option to buy a scott damper. In my memories the 51 is verry stable( on the road) and I am wondering if I need to shoot the extra cash for it...???

Thanks!

Hello Sbbsailor! I have been told that you ca help me on this. :rolleyes:
I am looking to swap my track bike for a track rc51. The bike have an Ohlins shock and a rear shock linkage to raise the rear. In the sale I have the option to buy a scott damper. In my memories the 51 is verry stable( on the road) and I am wondering if I need to shoot the extra cash for it...???

Thanks!

Wow, that's an off topic thread hijack if I ever saw one!

Wow, that's an off topic thread hijack if I ever saw one!

So true.
But the Kyle/Moriwaki/HRC etc link raises the rear a few millimeters to quicken the steering (i.e. reduces trail).

Ordinarily the RC51 is a very stable bike, but if the trail is reduced enough, it can potentially develop a head shake under heavy braking or if the front end becomes light under heavy throttle.

Under heavy braking, the trail is reduced farther due to compressed forks, and under heavy throttle you may be gripping the bars too tightly with a light front end.

So yes, go with a Scott's steering damper.
At least you'll have one if you need one and can adjust it for minimal effect if not needed.

Wow, that's an off topic thread hijack if I ever saw one!

OOPS you are right I should have started my own thread!
Sorry;)

OOPS you are right I should have started my own thread!
Sorry;)

hey no sweat, I was actually laughing at the total detour you threw out there!

hey no sweat, I was actually laughing at the total detour you threw out there!

:D Good luck with your RC 51 purchase.. Please post some pics if you find one!

:D Good luck with your RC 51 purchase.. Please post some pics if you find one!
I actually bought one for sale here on this forum, it is a 2003, low miles, very good looking well kept bike, new tires, and the best part it was only about 30 miles from my home so getting it wasn't even a big ordeal! It is in a storage unit where i keep some of my Land Rover stuff, there's no room for it at home right now. I'll post some pics when I get a chance to get it out. It also came with an extra set of wheels that I would like to put on a 1995 CBR900 if they are interchangeable. I'll post that question in one of the tech sections here if a search doesn't reveal any answers.