Hey fellas,

I have been lurking lately reading up on the RC51 since i may be getting ahold of one soon.

A little background...

Always been a Honda fan, started off on a 83 ATC250R. Rode dirt both bikes and quads all my life and always had a Honda....or two...or three. Started riding on the street the beginning of this year when i traded my Jeep for a 03 HD Sportster 1200C 100th anni edition.

Ive put about 5000 miles on it but now im bored. I love the history, the look and sound of the RC51. Also i like having stuff that not everyone Joe, Dick and Harry have or are riding. im sure you all have the same feeling.

Ive rode sportbikes all 600 I4 but have never owned my own.

How will the transition from the HD to the RC be?

The sportster isnt the most comfortable ride by any means and not the lightest either but i am able to keep a pretty good pace through the twisties here in AZ.

Just want some opinions on what i can expect, I might be going to test ride an 02 tomorrow night so i will definitely know then. But until then im here wondering.

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sportster to RC51....welcome to fast(er)


Comfort, stick with the Sportster, they make seats as wide as Papasan chairs for those.


Your maintenance costs will be reduced for sure.

With the Sportster, you have hydraulic lifters and and belt final drive.
About all you have to do is change oil and filters, and check the primary chain slack.
It doesn't get much lower maintenance than that.

You will find the RC51 to be a much more spirited twin than the Harley.
It doesn't like to be revved below 3500 RPM in traffic, which is essentially, lugging the engine.
And the where the Sportster is getting near it's redline (6800 RPM) is where the RC51 starts to wake up (6000+ RPM) and get down to business.

If you want to chuff along in town or in the country, the RC51 is not your bike.
If you want a spirited twin with the sound, character, and build quality of an old school Honda race bike, the RC51 is for you.

The sounds of those two big throttles gulping air and the whine of the spur-gear cam drive is pure gear-head music.

Thanks for the replies so far. Im not worried about the maintanence but understand that their will be more to keep in check for the RC. Sound, character and build quality is defenitely what i like.

thanks.

Welcome. Convert. Submit.
I started out on a 2002 RoadStar Warrior. 1700 cc. There was 4444 on the odo when I bought it. 1-1/2 year later, and 16,000+ miles, I too wanted something different. But not an I4. So ended up with VFR 800 v-tech. Stacked some more miles on that, and wanted something bigger. A liter bike, yeah! I say go for it. The RC v-twin is nothing like any cruiser twin. They start to shine at 5000 rpm and are just glorious at 6000 - 9000 rpm.

As far as what differences to expect, well first, I felt like I was sitting on the nosecone of a frigg'n missle the first couple rides. you get used to that real fast tho. And once you're ground speed is over 30 mph, these bikes will track the truest line ever. At hwy speeds, it's amazing how straight you can keep your line when you want to. And talk about passing power. I could go on and on...

I'll probably always have this particular RC, and will never go back to a cruiser. Maybe a FJR or ST1300

Thanks jondog very helpful.

this thing holds a line like no other bike, gets you in and out of trouble with equal ease, and will put a smile on your face every time you ride it.. (unless there is traffic involved)

Been on two wheels since I was 14, rode everything from dual purpose to Nortons to custom cruisers to Goldwings. Have had several sport bikes over the years but nothing compares to an RC...NOTHING:D Had two 'Barleys' in the past and really, maintenance on the RC is a breeze compared to long term ownership of an HD, it's a Honda fer gawd sake. Besides, they're dual fuel, they burn gas...and rubber!:cool: