Sorry to say this but i,v sold my SP1, it was getting a bit too much for my old body, the arms and neck could not take any more, but what a bike should have got one a few years ago never mind, would like to thank mr, Honda for putting a big grin on my face even opening the garage door and seeing it and thanks for having me you guy,s, cheers John. p.s. still on two wheel,s though.

Sorry to say this but i,v sold my SP1, it was getting a bit too much for my old body, the arms and neck could not take any more, but what a bike should have got one a few years ago never mind, would like to thank mr, Honda for putting a big grin on my face even opening the garage door and seeing it and thanks for having me you guy,s, cheers John. p.s. still on two wheel,s though.

dang dude, sorry to hear that. I miss my sp1 once and a while :rolleyes:
if ya done mind me asking, how old are you? what are you riding now?

Just because you no longer have an SP1 is no reason to leave.
No proof of ownership required here. :)

dang dude, sorry to hear that. I miss my sp1 once and a while :rolleyes:
if ya done mind me asking, how old are you? what are you riding now?

Hi there, i.m the wrong side of 62, got myself a 03 xjr 1300, i do miss the grunt of the sp though.

You will be back....as soon as you get tired of the suit case on wheels....:D

Well, I'm not quite there, approching 58 and I can understand where RAVO is speaking of - the old creaky back is starting to compalin a little more about the crouched sportbike position. Not quite there on wanting the two wheel barco-lounger, but totally understand why one would. I have looked at the Naked CB1000 and also the new Ninja 1000 with the sit up/standard seating position. In the long run though, I think I'll hang on to RC for the short rides my back can take.

I am in between Ravo and ARSEY51 in age. I really like my RC51. I know my days on a sportbile are fewer in front of me then behind me. I am going to enjoy the time I have left on the RC. I also have a 919 for longer stints. I fully understand a more comfortable bike. I am sure one day I will move on to maybe a ST1300 or VFR1200.
Regardless, enjoy the ride for as long as you can on whatever you have.

.... I came to the same conclusion two weekends ago.

The RC-51 is beautiful beast.. but a beast none the less.

Driving around traffic here in the Hampton Roads area is just a jarring ride and taking it on the freeway is about the only place it is comfortable. Unfortunately, about an hour is all I can stand and that's not what I'm looking on a motorcycle.

My SP-1 is going up for sale as well.... Not sure what I am going to replace it with...

Have you guys looked at the spiegler handlebar riser kits? They will allow you to put full standard handle bars on the bike. Of course, you will have to trim the upper fairing quite a bit, but at least you will still be on the bike, that's what really matters.

I'm not even that old (although I feel like it) and I've been contemplating making the RC a naked bike for a while now. I just enjoy the track too much to do that just yet. Maybe when I buy a second RC.......

I too have been contemplating about turning a RC into a naked bike. And like you, I wouldn't take my current RC, but buy another one and strip it down. I like what Honda did with the new CB1000R naked bike. I wish Honda had thought about doing the same to an RC. I think a RC along the likes of the Aprilia Tuono would be great. I also think that there would be a market for something like that.

That's one reason I bought my FZ1.
So it have one for casual riding, and the RC51 for play.

I'm only 51 & haven't even begun to contemplate 'backing down' yet. Don't do long hauls though, never more than a tankful each way.

I find it gratifying that so many affectionately refer to their RCs as 'beasts' because I christened mine "The Beast" soon after I got her.

(She has a small label on the top of the fairing proclaiming this to the world - and the christening was done with 16 year old single malt whiskey - Lagavullin to be precise ;))

I too have been contemplating about turning a RC into a naked bike. And like you, I wouldn't take my current RC, but buy another one and strip it down. I like what Honda did with the new CB1000R naked bike. I wish Honda had thought about doing the same to an RC. I think a RC along the likes of the Aprilia Tuono would be great. I also think that there would be a market for something like that.

Don't take this the wrong way ARSEY51, but turning an RC into a Street Fighter is just wrong in my books:eek: Like a CBR it is a purpose built race replica and although many riders have an aversion to fairings (tupperware whatever) it's the way the bike is meant to be. I love the look of the CB1000r, I think it's bold, mean, sinister, like a s/f should be; I just couldn't be arsed into doing that to something I love the way it was intended.
Ravo, like SubSailor said, just because the RC is no longer in your stable, it's no reason to vacate.
Hondad, before you get all pumped about the VFR1200, I posted a review of the VFR on MCUSA a bit over a year ago. I think I did a fair job of telling it straight; it is a beautiful bike, but it has many many short-comings. It's way under sprung, and for me the engine is awful. Great tranny, smooth suspension to the point of being cushy to ride and beautiful fit and finish. But it is no sport bike, seat and tank are not sport-tourer kit, and it sounds like a broken sewing machine (not unlike an ST1300 with a couple holes drilled in the stock cans). I'm a dyed in the wool Honda dood, but the VFR1200 is a bummer and really should be de-comm'ed along with the Rune and the DN01. What they should have done was up the displacement of the VFR800 into a 1400cc category and replace the aged ST to dance around the Connie, FJR and the ST Beemer (maybe even the 1600). Honda designer reps call the VFR a "gentleman's sport bike" ...well when I'm on a sport bike that title leaves me totally, it's all I can do to not be a hooligan. If I want to be a gentleman I'll ride me freakin' Wing; which btw I enjoy even more since having the RC to exercise my inner child:D

Hey Budoka, no worries bro'. No hurt feelings here -everyone's entitled to their opinion. I'm sure there are things you enjoy that I could care less about. Thats whats great about being a biker - you can choose to buy a something off the showroom floor and leave it stock or modify it to your liking. Or take a perfect bike for the masses and turn it into something totally your own. I'll still hold a thought for Honda waking up and using that RC motor in a naked bike some day.

Oh hey, using the RVT power-train in a naked bike from the ground up is a total different take on things than taking a whole RC51 and cutting the bejeebers out of it. I've seen too many s/f projects turn into a manky p.o.s. that way is all.:confused:

...or just put the RC51 motor into a Varedero?

The VFR1200 is one of the UGLIEST things I've ever seen btw.

It would be pretty cool if Spondon made a frame kit for the RC51 engine.
I got the idea from the Spondon kit for the TL1000 engine.

Here's an example of a Spondon framed TL1000 that I wouldn't mind owning (however the front fairing and the "hump me in the butt" rear seat would have to go).

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i173/frankschurer/finished1.jpg

Don't take this the wrong way ARSEY51, but turning an RC into a Street Fighter is just wrong in my books:eek: Like a CBR it is a purpose built race replica and although many riders have an aversion to fairings (tupperware whatever) it's the way the bike is meant to be. I love the look of the CB1000r, I think it's bold, mean, sinister, like a s/f should be; I just couldn't be arsed into doing that to something I love the way it was intended.

While the RC51 is indeed a sportbike, that doesn't mean that an owner shouldn't make it their own. That is how the whole "street fighter" craze got started. Just guys taking something that was plain-jane and making it into their bike.

I would much rather see a guy cut the fairings, or lose them altogether if it means that he is going to keep enjoying it. The opposite side of that coin are all the great modified or stock bikes that are almost a decade old and have less than 5k miles on them. To me, that is a greater travesty and embarrassment to the RC community than anyone modifying their bike and riding the piss out of it. Sadly, most of those owners will wax nostalgic until they are blue in the face about how great their bike is and about it's racing heritage. Meanwhile they only take it around the block every couple months. Don't get me wrong, I respect that these are great bikes, and that the racing versions did quite well, but our bikes are a far cry from what was competitive on the world stage those many years ago. They are great sportbikes, but they are still mass produced sportbikes that can be had for some great prices nowadays.


Purists be damned! Do whatever you want to YOUR bike! :D

get yourself a VFR. They are a lot of fun. and you can still drag a knee on em